NEW MEXICO DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE MSC 3189, P.O Box 30005 - Las Cruces, New Mexico 88003-8005 Office of the Director/Secretary Dr. I. Miley Gonzalez, Director/Secretary
MEDIA ADVISORY	Fax: (575) 646-8120

New Mexico Department of Agriculture (NMDA), in cooperation with the Western United States Agricultural Trade Association (WUSATA), hosted a Chinese in-bound trade mission in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on Friday, June 5, 2009. Twelve Chinese buyers, representing the retail industry in Shanghai, Chengdu, Guangzhou, and Beijing, had scheduled meetings with several New Mexico companies, focusing on chile and pecans. These companies included Los Chileros, El Pinto, New Mexico Pecan Company, and Garduno’s Restaurants.

The success of our recent exports of in-shell pecans to China was well known to the Chinese and generated much discussion regarding export of shelled pecans for distribution in China. “One of the most positive results of their visit was their interest in our salsas” said James Ditmore, international trade specialist at NMDA.  Negotiations are currently under way for the purchase of a container of salsa to be shipped for export. One container of salsa is equal to approximately 2,000 cases or 24,000 bottles. Overall, the trade mission was a great success and the visitors from China enjoyed some of our state’s finest New Mexican food.

NMDA is also sponsoring the Taiwan Chef Competition and Product Promotion in Taiwan June 22-26, 2009, at the Taiwan Trade Show and will feature salsa from Garduno’s and pecans from New Mexico Pecan Company. “New Mexico Department of Agriculture is committed to addressing industry needs and providing support in the international trade arena,” stated Miley Gonzalez, Secretary of Agriculture.