Chinese tobacco buyers get a taste of the State Fair

A member of the Chinese delegation tries her hand at stringing tobacco.

A member of the Chinese delegation tries her hand at stringing tobacco.

Asian visitors to the N.C. State Fair are becoming a tradition. Last year, Japan’s ambassador to the U.S. visited. Saturday, a group of 22 Chinese tobacco buyers toured the Fair. The group has been in North Carolina for almost a week, meeting with representatives of U.S. Tobacco Cooperative and others involved in exporting N.C. tobacco to China.

Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler took a few members of the delegation for short rides on the Big Cart. Afterward, the group visited the Got to Be NC Agriculture exhibit, sampled homemade ice cream and strung tobacco in Heritage Circle, saw dairy cattle in the Jim Graham Building and milk goats in the Expo Center. A few of the female members even got makeovers at the L’Oreal Paris tent near Dorton Arena.

Commissioner Troxler visited China in August to encourage the Chinese to buy more N.C. tobacco and other commodities. Many of the tobacco officials he met with in Beijing were in the group at the State Fair Saturday.

About Flying Bob

Most folks know me as Brian Long, but when it comes to the State Fair blog, I'm Flying Bob. Why Flying Bob? It's one of my favorite carnival rides. Plus, once the fair kicks off, I feel like I'm flying in circles at high speed. (All that's missing is a ride attendant shouting, "Do you wanna go fasterrrrr!") Here at the State Fair Press Office, it's our job to give you as much information about this massive event as possible. That's one of the reasons I enjoy contributing to this blog. I hope you'll enjoy reading it.

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