Australian crocodile farmers are hoping to sink their teeth into a new export market: China.
To most crocodile farmers, the meat of the reptile is considered a mere by-product of the skin, a much more valuable commodity.
But now, a visiting Chinese trade delegation could change those attitudes.
The group, representing 20 of the country's top seafood importers, are hoping they will be able to convince the Chinese government to sign a crocodile meat-export agreement with Australia.
Guangzhou City Haitong Food Company chairman Jacky Li has seen for himself the process of getting crocodile from pond to plate, and has relished the opportunity.
"We tasted many crocodiles. Almost every meal we've had crocodile but particularly last night we had a crocodile meal in a Chinese restaurant and the cooking method is really good and most suitable for us Chinese," he said.
The Chinese also use crocodile limbs to make medicinal soups. It is used as a treatment for a range of ailments including asthma, the common cold, and is also believed to promote longevity.
"In China, we believe after we have crocodile it is very good to help strengthen our immune system and also to build up our strength," Mr Jacky said.
John Lever, from Koorana Crocodile Farm in central Queensland, says he has been working towards the goal for more than a decade.
"The industry is growing, we're producing more crocodile meat now than we ever have, and that in itself means if we don't open up new markets now, we're going to end up flooding the market here in Australia and prices will go down," he said.
Producers are also pushing for an export agreement with European Union countries, but it is the Chinese appetite for exotic meats that has croc farmers in a frenzy.
"We're all enthusiastic as hell about this because it would mean so much to us to get this market open. It means we've got a guaranteed market for the meat," Mr Lever said.
Crocodile is already on the menu in China. The country gets 60 per cent of its crocodile meat from domestic farms. The other 40 per cent is crocodile imported from Thailand and Vietnam, with alligator imported from the United States.
Australian Chinese General Chamber of Business vice chairman Chiu-Hing Chan says Chinese consumers regard Australian meat as a high quality, natural product.
"A lot of Chinese don't really trust crocodiles coming from Thailand and Vietnam because of the black market; because they're not sure about wether even the crocodile meats being sold over there are crocodile meats in the first place," he said.
The protocol agreement is the last hurdle before crocodile meat trade can begin between the two countries, but until then the visiting importers are happy to get their fill while they can.
"Tastes really good, like chicken meat - lovely!" Chinese trade delegate Chi Kim Wong said, while tucking into a meal.
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