GAPP Members Arrive in China to Explore Export Market Opportunities

SHANGHAI, CHINA—The Association of Genuine Alaska Pollock Producers (GAPP) announced today that a contingent of Wild Alaska Pollock industry leaders arrived in Shanghai, China to begin a 10-day trip to explore future opportunities in this critical export market. The trip, which was funded in large part by a grant provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service, Emerging Markets Program, will consist of stops in Shanghai, Qingdao and Beijing.

“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. “These eight leaders represent various sectors of the industry and will help be our eyes and ears on the ground to report back actionable insights that can benefit the entire industry, writ large.”

The eight industry leaders on the trip include 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. These leaders were nominated by the GAPP Board of Directors and leadership both for their experience and their position in various sectors of the Wild Alaska Pollock industry.

Leaders will meet with key industry customers in the region and explore opportunities for collaboration. The group will begin in Shanghai where they will spend several days meeting with leading club stores Sam’s Club and Costco and observe other popular retail outlets including several traditional wet markets. The visit to Shanghai will also include time spent observing the popular e-commerce systems and meeting with Foreign Agricultural Service officials.

The trip will then progress to Qingdao where the focus will shift to Surimi and fish sausage processing and discussions about new Surimi applications. Lastly, the trip will conclude in Beijing where the leaders will meet with members of the U.S. embassy and additional retailers, including a popular online delivery meal service.

“The goals of this journey are simple: to continue to cement our current customer relationships in China and explore exciting new opportunities for collaboration,” said Morris. “With disease outbreaks and shifting protein demands, China is looking for new options for its consumers—and Wild Alaska Pollock is perfectly positioned to capitalize on growing protein demand.”

For frequent updates on the trip and key insights, be sure to follow the Association social media as well as check the GAPP blog for guest blogs written by trip participants.