California Grown Program Plays Key Role in 'Governator's' China Trade Mission
SACREMENTO, Calif. -- Building awareness and demand for California Grown products was a primary focus of California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's recent six-day trade mission to China, Nov. 14 through Nov. 20.
In visits to Beijing, Shanghai, and Hong Kong, the 80-member delegation, which included California Grown signatory groups representing the grape, strawberry, tree fruit, wine, and citrus industries, touted the quality, safety, and diversity of California Grown commodities in an effort to help build market share and export sales.
Among the highlights of the successful trip, the California Grown campaign and the California Food and Agriculture Secretary A.G. Kawamura toured three supermarkets in Beijing, where California Grown products were prominently displayed. The supermarket tours were well received by local media, with nearly a dozen local reporters and cameramen in attendance.
Another highlight was a gala event the governor attended for trade and business prospects, featuring California Grown wine and appetizers. More than 200 key agriculture traders and importers attended the event, and several of the California Grown commodity boards set up promotional booths to highlight their products.
The California Grown campaign also hosted a reception for approximately 100 key trade members in the Hong Kong market, where attendees enjoyed a variety of California Grown products, including wine, fresh-squeezed orange juice, freshly mixed grape drinks, strawberries, and raisins. Guest speakers included Kawamura and Deputy Agricultural Trade Officer David Wolfe.
In visits to Beijing, Shanghai, and Hong Kong, the 80-member delegation, which included California Grown signatory groups representing the grape, strawberry, tree fruit, wine, and citrus industries, touted the quality, safety, and diversity of California Grown commodities in an effort to help build market share and export sales.
Among the highlights of the successful trip, the California Grown campaign and the California Food and Agriculture Secretary A.G. Kawamura toured three supermarkets in Beijing, where California Grown products were prominently displayed. The supermarket tours were well received by local media, with nearly a dozen local reporters and cameramen in attendance.
Another highlight was a gala event the governor attended for trade and business prospects, featuring California Grown wine and appetizers. More than 200 key agriculture traders and importers attended the event, and several of the California Grown commodity boards set up promotional booths to highlight their products.
The California Grown campaign also hosted a reception for approximately 100 key trade members in the Hong Kong market, where attendees enjoyed a variety of California Grown products, including wine, fresh-squeezed orange juice, freshly mixed grape drinks, strawberries, and raisins. Guest speakers included Kawamura and Deputy Agricultural Trade Officer David Wolfe.