July 2005 -- The American Sheep Industry Association (ASI) hosted a five-member Chinese mill wool-buyer delegation from May 15-21, 2005. The delegation visited numerous suppliers and warehouses in Texas, Illinois and Utah, which have the ability to supply them with wool from across the United States in the quantities and types of wool they require.
The delegation consisted of: Fu Jian Ming from Kunshan Heng Yian Wool Industry Co., a spinning and combing mill; Mao Zheng Rong from Kunshan Sanlifleece Carbon Co., a carbonizing mill; Jianhua Chen from Shanghai Huizhi Spin Co., a spinning and combing mill; Xu Dong from Changzhou Huaji Wool Co., a combing and carbonizing mill and Kitty Gu, ASI Shanghai representative.
This was the first visit to the United States for the delegation members and their first opportunity to see U.S. wool first-hand at U.S. warehouses and suppliers.
All agreed that this visit allowed them to learn a great deal about the U.S. wool clip, where it is grown, how it is marketed and its unique characteristics, as well as to develop a closer relationship with U.S. suppliers.
All members of the delegation purchased wool while they were visiting the various suppliers and said they expect to continue purchasing U.S. wool in the future. The wool purchased ranged from medium and coarse combing wools to finer, shorter carding types. The Chinese mills represented by this delegation are capable of using virtually all types of wool produced in the United States and are therefore, key clients for U.S. exporters.
China, as well as being the second largest wool producer in the world, is also the largest importer and processor of wool in the world, importing approximately 40 percent of the entire world?s production from virtually all wool-producing countries. China is one of the largest destinations for U.S. wool.
There will be further delegations visiting other U.S. wool suppliers and warehouses over the next couple of months.