Northwest Exporter Looks To Connect Local Farms with China

An export company in Tacoma is looking to better connect Washington and Oregon farms with China.  Carol Ye with Farm Breeze International said in their first year, they recorded $7.5 million.  And in 2016, revenue more than tripled.  Ye told the Washington Ag Network she believes the specialty market has more potential to grow in Asia, specifically China.

“People’s income levels have increased, and they are focused not only on not only feeding themselves, but to feed themselves well.  They have a higher income level to consume more specialty crops.”

Ye said it was very hard to start the processing, but feels the more products shipped to Asia, the people of the region will have a better opinion of the products produced here.  Ye added not only does trade with China benefit American growers, it also benefits the Asian buyers.

“A lot of Chinese consumers are concerned about food safety inside China, and U.S. products, they think they can rely more on the labeling.  And also traceability, where the food comes from, whether it’s GMO or non-GMO, they can have the best idea about the food.”

In the short-term, Ye says looking to increase the number of specialty crops shipped from the Northwest to Asia.  As far as long-term plans, she’s looking at trade becoming more a farm to table movement.

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