10/26/07 Delegation is China bound

Governor Butch Otter will be joined by private industry groups and some state officials for a trade mission to China beginning tomorrow. Idaho Department of Agriculture director Celia Gould says the governor wants to 'sell some groceries' during the eleven day trade mission that will include stops in Beijing, Shanghai and two other Chinese cities. GOULD "We've got a number of ag industries going, ag related companies and we're very excited about the opportunities, the possibilities." Otter took a trade delegation to Cuba earlier this year but his Chinese trip will be twice as long and has a lot of potential for the Idaho agriculture industry as evidenced by the list of companies and organizations making the journey to east Asia. GOULD "Double L Manufacturing, Great American Appetizer, the Idaho Potato Commission, the Idaho Wheat Commission, Independent Meat, JR Simplot Company, Larson Hay Terminal, Agri-Beef, Benchmark Research and Safety. Some of them already do business in China; others are trying to get a foot in the door. Last year more than 593 million dollars worth of Idaho goods and products were exported to China, mostly in the form of computer and electronic components. Voice of Idaho Agriculture Bill Scott