The following Global Agricultural Information Network (GAIN) reports were released on Friday, September 25, 2020.
This report documents Angola’s technical policies, practices, and import requirements for food and agricultural products. In the absence of a food safety law, Angola follows international Codex Alimentarius standards. This country report is designed to be used in conjunction with the 2019 FAIRS Export Certificate report.
Angola: FAIRS Export Certificate Report
The report lists major certificates and permits required to export food and agricultural products from the United States to Angola. It is recommended that this report be read with the FAIRS – Narrative Report for a comprehensive understanding of the Angola regulations, standards and import requirements.
Argentina: Poultry and Products Annual
Argentine chicken meat production and exports are forecast to rise 2% in 2021 to 2.23 million tons and 175,000 tons respectively, on increased demand and a return to economic growth nationally and globally. COVID-19 related production and consumption effects have largely subsided in Argentina as consumer and producers have adjusted to a new market equilibrium.
Bulgaria: Grain and Feed Update
On September 17, 2020, the Bulgarian Ministry of Agriculture (MinAg) reported the 2020 wheat harvest at 4.63 million metric tons (MMT), a 21-percent decline from marketing year (MY) 2019/20. Reported average yields were 24 percent lower from last year. The barley crop (winter and spring) was reported at 560,000 metric tons (MT), with average yields down 14 percent from last year. Winter grain crops are lower than previously expected due to dry weather during critical development stages. Post revises down its estimates for the MY 2020/21 wheat crop to 5.0 MMT. Post’s barley forecast is stable at 570,000 MT. The corn harvest began in late August and was at three percent completed as of early September. Bulgaria’s corn area planted was 27 percent above MY 2019/20, a record high. However, hot and dry weather in July and August negatively affected yields. Post reduces its corn production forecast to 3.3 MMT.
Canada: FAIRS Export Certificate Report
This report highlights certification requirements for food and agricultural products exported to Canada and supplements the FAIRS Country Report CA2020-0081.
Canada: Health Canada Announces Notices of Intent for Novel Food Regulations
Plants in Canada are regulated on the basis of the traits expressed and not on the basis of the method used to introduce the traits. In August 2020, the federal government issued two statements outlining actions it will take to improve the clarity around these regulations.
Czech Republic: Czech Republic Sees Solid Harvest Despite Initial Drought
The harvest of grains and rapeseed in the Czech Republic ended in the first week of September. Estimates are optimistic that the production of grains will reach above the 10-year average. The Czech Statistical Office estimates the average yield of grains (excluding corn) at 5.63 MT/HA and rapeseed yield at 3.11 MT/HA, while the Czech Ministry of Agriculture reports grain yield (excl. corn) at 6.06 MT/HA and rapeseed 3.42 MT/HA, based on harvest monitoring.
Egypt: Livestock and Products Annual
FAS Cairo forecasts Egypt's production (calf crop) in market year (MY) 2021 (January-December) at 1.94 million head, unchanged from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) official MY 2020 estimate. Total supply in MY 2021 will reach 9.99 million animals, increasing by 125,000 head or over one percent above the USDA's official MY 2020 figure of 9.86 million. Egypt's live cattle imports in MY 2021 are forecast at 200,000 head, down by 80,000 animals or 29 percent less than the USDA's official MY 2020 figure of 280,000 head. The drop is attributed to the November 2019 through March 2020 suspension of Sudanese live cattle for slaughter imports due to the outbreak of Rift Valley fever in Sudan, as well as to less Brazil-origin animals available for export due to increased beef demand from China. Domestic beef consumption in MY 2021 is forecast at 675,000 metric tons (MT), up by 2.5 percent or 18,000 MT above the USDA's official MY 2020 estimate of 657,000 MT due to natural population growth.
Taiwan: Taiwan Issues New COOL Regulations Affecting US Pork and Beef
On September 21, 2020, the Taiwan Food and Drug Administration (TFDA) issued new country of origin labeling regulations for 1) pork in packaged food; 2) pork served in restaurants; and 3) bulk food products including beef and pork. This report contains unofficial English translations of these regulations, as well as Taiwan's notifications to the WTO TBT Committee for two of the three measures.
Rice export prices remain unchanged from the previous week.
For more information, or for an archive of all FAS GAIN reports, please visit gain.fas.usda.gov/.
