Going to Asia

Going to Asia. I'm Greg Martin with today's Fruit Grower Report. Washington Governor Christine Gregoire is in Asia to discuss trade and has taken a group of Washington ag officials with her including Ag Director Dan Newhouse, Apple Commission president Todd Fryhover and Fruit Commission president B.J. Thurlby among others. The Governor hopes the 11-day trade mission will strengthened partnership between the life sciences sectors in Washington state and Asia. At the end of the second day of the trip Director Newhouse and a small group of agriculture leaders stopped in Gaungzhou, China, the center for wholesaling and distribution of imported foods. The group used the visit to promote Washington grown products and establish new relationships with importers. Newhouse says that Asian market is very important. NEWHOUSE: We are the closest state of all the lower 48 to the Asian markets. The fact that customers over there are already familiar with our products and know that they stand for high quality and consistency. I think we've got some great things going for us. Gov. Gregoire also met with China's Vice Premier Wang Qishan to promote exchanges of trade, tourism, investment, culture and education. We will update you on how that trade mission is going as we get more information. That's today's Fruit Grower Report. I'm Greg Martin on the Ag Information Network.