The Independent Meat Company based in Twin Falls was years ahead of its time when its owner - Patrick Florence - began marketing pork products directly to China.

The company started selling meat to antonymous regions of China such as Macau and Taiwan more than two years ago, but last year it completed a landmark deal that allowed it to sell directly to markets in mainland China.

Florence said profits haven't skyrocketed since his business penetrated the market, but he said it has helped strengthen sales growth as the domestic economy slides further into a recession.

Idaho recently began an aggressive campaign to expand trade with the communist nation - Governor C.L. "Butch" Otter was in China this week during his second trade mission to the nation.

China is Idaho's second largest export market - preceded only by Singapore - and accounts for a majority of the state's $4.7 billion in export sales.

Independent Meat didn't begin exporting to China overnight. It took time and money to understand what its markets were looking for and how to get it to the consumers.

But no doubt, it was time and money well spent.

Joshua Palmer may be reached at 208-735-3231 or at jpalmer@magicvalley.com.