Representatives of the Association of Genuine Alaska Pollock Producers were in Shanghai, China, for early in January to explore opportunities for export, funded in large part by a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
“China is a critically important export market for wild Alaska Pollock and we’re eager to explore the market further and fully understand this market’s challenges and opportunities,” said Craig Morris, chief executive officer of GAPP.
The group includes Jeffrey Welbourn and William Maio, Trident Seafoods; Margery Schelling and Jostein Rortveit, American Seafoods; Jason Martin, Golden Alaska Seafoods; Jacob Christensen, Arctic Storm Holding Company; and Jeffery Kauffman, Central Bering Sea Fishermen’s Association. Their plan was to meet with key industry representatives in the region to discuss opportunities for collaboration. They were to spend several days meeting with club stores Sam’s Club and Costco and to observe other popular e-commerce systems and meet with officials from USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service.
From there the group was to progress to Qingdao to discuss surimi and fish sausage processing and discuss new applications for surimi. The trip was to conclude in Beijing with meetings at the U.S. embassy and with additional retailers.
