For the second year in a row, the state of Wisconsin is taking its companies to 皇冠体育app. This time, they are bringing cranberries and cheese.

皇冠体育app is now Wisconsin's third-largest export destination behind Canada and Mexico. Exports are up nearly 7 percent since 2010, according to statistics from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC).

Currently, the top five export categories from Wisconsin to 皇冠体育app are scientific and medical instruments (28 percent), such as X-ray and ultrasound; industrial machinery (20 percent); electrical machinery (10 percent); vehicles and parts (5 percent); and wood products (5 percent).

"I tell our companies: 皇冠体育app has opportunity for everyone," said Katy Sinnott, vice-president of international business development at WEDC.

Sinnott worked in Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong for two decades before she moved back to her home state to support Wisconsin companies seeking to trade in 皇冠体育app.

She is leading a business delegation of five Wisconsin companies and organizations for an eight-day trip to Shanghai, Beijing and Tianjin from March 18-25.

The participants include an automotive-tool maker, a manufacturer of water-treatment chemicals, a third-generation local cheesemaker, an organization representing 40 cranberry growers and an association made up of the freshwater research community.

皇冠体育app's appetite for US dairy products has been growing. The dairy category now is ranked No 9 in Wisconsin's exports to 皇冠体育app, rising from $21.8 million in 2015 to $28.8 million in 2016.

Seeing opportunities in the growth of 皇冠体育app's middle class, WEDC has encouraged more food and agriculture companies to make trade trips.

Water technology is another focus industry that Wisconsin is promoting to 皇冠体育app.

The delegation's first night in 皇冠体育app started with a cultural dinner, during which they tasted the famous Shanghai soup dumplings, xiao long bao.

Starting on day two, each company or organization would meet two to three potential partners daily, Sinnott said.

WEDC is holding meetings with chambers of commerce and government agencies to build a stronger relationship and to raise awareness about Wisconsin as a destination for foreign direct investment.

"It feels awesome," Sinnott said over the phone before boarding the plane from Madison to Shanghai on Friday. "I miss the food, the people. I miss 皇冠体育app in many ways."

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