ATO Guangzhou

The Agricultural Trade Office, Guangzhou (ATOGuangzhou) is a field office of U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) in China. Its primary mission is to promote and expand the import of U.S. food and agricultural products to South China.

Larry Senger (the third from the left), Minister-Counselor for Agricultural Affairs, Embassy of the United States of American, and ATO/Guangzhou staff.

Its main services to U.S. exporters include

1. Providing market information on South China
2. Coordinating participation in trade shows, in-store promotions, and menu promotions in South China to introduce U.S. food and agricultural products
3. Organizing field trips to markets, food processing facilities, farms and agricultural production areas in South China for a better understanding of the China market
4. Creating public awareness of U.S. food products through publication in select Chinese trade journals
5. Creating opportunities for U.S. exporters to meet with potential and actual Chinese importers and agribusiness leaders in the United States and in South China
6. Sharing information on Chinese imports and distributors
   

Activities of ATO Guangzhou

In-store Promotions

ATO/Guangzhou is focusing its product promotional efforts in one major activity. If you are ready to export to China, this is an opportunity for you to

1. Find an importer/distributor for your product in the China market
2. Measure the acceptability of your product in the market
3. Gather local pricing information about your product and competing products
4. Gain exposure of your product to local consumers
5. Secure local health department approval for your product and translation of your product label - both extremely helpful for future marketing efforts

If you are interested in participation or need more inforamtion, please contact ATO/Guangzhou.

Field Trips

ATO/Guangzhou is willing and able to organize Sourth China field trips for interested U.S. exporters. If your business travel takes you to Guangzhou and you are interested in visiting some agribusiness facilities, please contact our office.

We strongly urge that you visit South China for a personal understanding of this dynamic market.

Public Awareness

ATO/Guangzhou has launched a major initative to reach the Chinese food and agricultural community. WE have an agreement with the Chinese Purchasing Magazine to publish a column on U.S. food every other month. WE also have access to the publications of several trade association and the food newspapers. If you know of an issue that might be presented to the Chinese audience, please contact us.

We welcome your ideas and your contributions.

Opportunities to Meet

One of the best ways for you to know Chinese importers and distributors is through hosting their visits to the United States. These teams plan to visit U.S. food processing facilities and meet with U.S. exporters after the shows. If your company is interested in meeting the team members, please contact ATO Guangzhou.

ATO Guangzhou is also encouraging Chinese importers and distributors to organize buying teams to the United States. These are self-financed teams of prominent agribusiness leaders. Their visits to the United States also provide a unique opportunity for U.S.exporters to establish contacts with the Chian market. If you are willing and able to host these visitors, please contact ATO Guangzhou.

Information

ATO Guangzhou is in the process of re-creating a database of Chinese importers and distributors. We welcome your inquiries.

ATO Guangzhou has also published a number of reports related to market conditions in South China. To download a report, you can visit the Foreign Agricultural Service Homepage: http://www.fas.usda.gov select Market Reports then Attache Reports.