U.S. Department of Agriculture undersecretary for trade and foreign agricultural affairs Ted McKinney will lead a trade mission to Guangzhou and Shenzhen, China, May 21-25, accompanied by a diverse delegation of agribusiness and state government leaders looking to establish new business connections in southern China.

Southern China is a major import hub and a growing market for U.S. agricultural exports, which already average $8 billion annually. Consumers in the region have an affinity for U.S. products, and demand for many consumer-oriented goods – from bakery ingredients to fresh fruits to alcoholic beverages – is on the rise.

Mission participants will connect with potential customers and take part in site visits to learn more about doing business in southern China. In-country staff from USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service will help arrange meetings between U.S. delegates and representatives of Chinese companies in Guangzhou and Shenzhen.

Mission participants include leaders from the Idaho, Nebraska and Virginia departments of agriculture, as well as representatives from the following companies and organizations:

1. Alltech, Nicholasville, Ky.
2. Anderson Northwest LLC, Valleyford, Wash.
3. Bob’s Red Mill Natural Foods Inc., Milwaukie, Ore.
4. Black River Commodities LLC, Pocahontas, Ark.
5. Bridgepathway, Jericho, N.Y.
6. Commercial Lynks Inc., Alexandria, Va.
7. Crescent Dairy & Beverages LLC, Walterboro, S.C.
8. Ginseng & Herb Co-op, Marathon, Wis.
9. Heller Good Foods, Hayfork, Cal.
10. Hudson Valley Fish Farms Inc., Hudson, N.Y.
11. Inkrumah Agriculture, Export, & Food Services Inc., Atlanta, Ga.
12. Kizable Kandy LLC, Clearwater, Fla.
13. Laurel Springs Farm, Marion, Va.
14. Livestock Exporters Association of the USA, Chicago, Ill.
15. Nargo Industries USA Inc., San Ramon, Cal.
16. National Swine Registry, West Lafayette, Ind.
17. Quatrefoil Skincare LLC, Madison, Wis.
18. Seven Hills Food Co., Lynchburg, Va.
19. Shaffer Genetics, Albany, Ind.
20. That Crazy Bee Guy!, Springfield, Ohio.
21. United Global Enterprises LLC, Marietta, Ga.
22. United Global Trading, Dallas, Texas.
23. USA Rice, Arlington, Va.
24. U.S. Soybean Export Council, Chesterfield, Mo.
25. Western United States Agricultural Trade Assn., Vancouver, Wash.