China is Alaska’s fourth largest export market. China continues to experience significant growth and Alaska is benefiting. Although much of Alaska’s seafood export to China is reprocessed for re-export, more of our products are increasingly reaching China’s expanding middle class.

Over the last year, trade with China topped $154 million, mainly from products of the sea. Traditional seafood products accounted for $98 million of the total. The Chinese practice of using all of the fish has helped Alaska create more value from seafood products. Sales of fish meal and fish oils to China have grown in importance and now total over $30 million a year.

A significant $20 million in lead sales were made in 2003 and China continues to demand forest products from Alaska. The logging industry looks increasingly to China as an important market whose demand will help to ensure continuation of operations in Alaska.