Wisconsin finds high demand for exports to China

For the second year in a row, the state of Wisconsin is taking its companies to China. This time, they are bringing cranberries and cheese.

China is now Wisconsin's third-largest export destination behind Canada and Mexico. Exports are up nearly 7 percent since 2010, according to statistics from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC).

Currently, the top five export categories from Wisconsin to China are scientific and medical instruments (28 percent), such as X-ray and ultrasound; industrial machinery (20 percent); electrical machinery (10 percent); vehicles and parts (5 percent); and wood products (5 percent).

"I tell our companies: China has opportunity for everyone," said Katy Sinnott, vice-president of international business development at WEDC.

Sinnott worked in Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong for two decades before she moved back to her home state to support Wisconsin companies seeking to trade in China.

She is leading a business delegation of five Wisconsin companies and organizations for an eight-day trip to Shanghai, Beijing and Tianjin from March 18-25.

The participants include an automotive-tool maker, a manufacturer of water-treatment chemicals, a third-generation local cheesemaker, an organization representing 40 cranberry growers and an association made up of the freshwater research community.

China's appetite for US dairy products has been growing. The dairy category now is ranked No 9 in Wisconsin's exports to China, rising from $21.8 million in 2015 to $28.8 million in 2016.

Seeing opportunities in the growth of China's middle class, WEDC has encouraged more food and agriculture companies to make trade trips.

Water technology is another focus industry that Wisconsin is promoting to China.

The delegation's first night in China started with a cultural dinner, during which they tasted the famous Shanghai soup dumplings, xiao long bao.

Starting on day two, each company or organization would meet two to three potential partners daily, Sinnott said.

WEDC is holding meetings with chambers of commerce and government agencies to build a stronger relationship and to raise awareness about Wisconsin as a destination for foreign direct investment.

"It feels awesome," Sinnott said over the phone before boarding the plane from Madison to Shanghai on Friday. "I miss the food, the people. I miss China in many ways."

hezijiang@chinadailyusa.com