ASMI visits China.

• Author: Pounds, Nancy
• Position: SEAFOOD

Members of the Alaska seafood industry promoted their products and forged business relationships during a weeklong trade mission to China with the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute in November 2009. Trade mission delegates met with members of the seafood trade from major regions of China and participated in the 2009 China Seafood and Fisheries Expo. ASMI officials reported that their booth at the Quingdao event was often bustling.

"China is obviously thriving amidst a global downturn," said Joe Jacobson, director of ASMI's international marketing program. "China's rapidly growing middle class is willing to spend something extra for high-quality, safe, imported food."

Meetings were held in Shanghai and Hong Kong, connecting Alaska seafood representatives with Chinese buyers. The trade mission helped Alaska seafood industry...