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USDA Climate Hubs Go Global Contact: FAS Press For more than a decade, USDA’s Climate Hubs has been at the forefront of supporting climate change adaptation and mitigation efforts for U.S. farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners. Last week, the department significantly boosted its efforts globally, by launching the International Climate Hub. The new hub builds on the experience with 10 regional Climate Hubs throughout the United States and the Caribbean to compile, share and significantly expand knowledge, understanding, and implementation of climate-smart agriculture and forestry practices in the United States. By broadening international awareness and access to information and tools, USDA continues to position itself as a global leader in highlighting agriculture and forestry practices as solutions to address climate change. “We have seen significant investment and interest from the global community in support of tools, resources, and expertise to help meet global adaptation and mitigation goals,” said Jeremy Adamson, USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) senior policy advisor. “The International Climate Hub expands our cooperation and sharing, demonstrating approaches that are successful, and connecting users around the world with much-needed tools to help them address climate and sustainability goals.” Please click here to read more >>

The following GAIN reports were released on May 22, 2023. _______     European Union: Dairy and Products Semi-annual EU environmental restrictions and elevated input costs are depressing milk production in 27 European Union Member States (EU27). Additionally, the increase in cow productivity can no longer compensate for the decline in the EU27 dairy cow herd. As a result, EU27 cows’ milk production has been shrinking since 2021 and is forecasted at 143.9 million metric ton (MT) for 2023, 0.55 percent down from 2022. With declining milk deliveries, the processors are forecasted to have less milk available for factory use in 2023, which forces them to carefully assess for which products they will use the available milk. EU27 cheese production for 2023 is forecast to increase to 10.5 MMT as consumption continues to rise year after year. This comes at the expense of the production of butter, non-fat dry milk (NFDM), and whole milk powder (WMP).   Hong Kong: The Hong Kong Wonton - Volume 3 Issue 10 Bite size local news, Post reports and activity summaries wrapped by ATO Hong Kong. In this issue: USA Pavilion Dazzles at HOFEX 2023; Hong Kong Reports Q1 GDP Rebound; Golden Week Holiday in May surpasses Hong Kong and Macau Government Expectations; Despite the Mild Relaxation on Consumer Price, Pressure Still Remains; There is Potential for Non-Gaming Investment in Macau; Unemployment Rate in Hong Kong Drops Slightly in Q1; Macau Hotel Group First Quarter Revenues Reached 84 Percent of Pre-Pandemic Level; Hong Kong First Quarter Restaurant Receipts Up Over 80 Percent Year-on-Year; Hong Kong Retail Sales Soar 41 Percent to a 35-Year Record; “Polluter Pays” Principle in Effect for Glass Beverage Containers.   South Africa: Fresh Deciduous Fruit Semi-annual The production of apples, pears and table grapes is estimated to decrease slightly in the 2022/23 Marketing Year (MY), based largely on stagnated production area and a return to normal yields following record production for all three commodities. Apple and pear producing regions experienced hailstorms in November 2022 which damaged the crop, while the heatwave in January 2023 in the Northern Cape led to table grape losses. South Africa is self-sufficient in production of deciduous fruits and only imports small quantities to fulfill niche markets or to satisfy demand during the off-season when supply is limited. Lower exportable supply and challenges in port access are forecasted to reduce exports of apples, pears and table grapes in MY 2022/23.     For more information, or for an archive of all FAS GAIN reports, please visit gain.fas.usda.gov/.

Costa Rica: Coffee Annual

FAS/San José is projecting a small marketing year 2023/24 production increase to 1.44 million 60-kilogram bags, based on positive initial flowering, expected appropriate fertilization levels, and better overall condition of farms. Costa Rica’s coffee production rebounded in marketing year 2022/23, climbing almost 15 percent to 1.41 million 60-kilogram bags as improved plantation management helped reduce fungal damage just one year after fungal diseases contributed to the lowest production level in 50 years.

 

Egypt: Egypt's National Food Safety Authority Issued Requirements for Food Traceability

On October 18, 2022, Egypt’s National Food Safety Authority (NFSA) published Decision No. 16/2022, Food Traceability Requirements, in the Egyptian Chronicles, with an effective date of October 19, 2022. Unofficial translation provided below.

 

Egypt: Egypt's National Food Safety Authority Issued Technical Requirements for Food Contact Materials and Articles

On October 18, 2022, Egypt’s National Food Safety Authority (NFSA) published Decision No. 17/2022, the Binding Technical Rules for Food Contact Materials and Articles, in the Egyptian Chronicles, with an effective date of October 19, 2022. Unofficial translation attached.

 

Ethiopia: Coffee Annual

Ethiopia is Africa’s largest coffee producer and the world’s fifth largest exporter of Arabica coffee. Coffee is Ethiopia’s number one source of export revenue generating about 30-35 percent of the country’s total export earnings. All the coffee produced in Ethiopia is of the coffee arabica variety. In 2023/24 total production is forecasted to be 8.35 million 60 kg bags (501,000 MT). The coffee industry in Ethiopia is the driving force of the country’s economy, socio-cultural, and spiritual life of the people. The livelihood of 25 percent of the country’s population is directly or indirectly dependent on the coffee value chain will remain so in the years to come. Post Addis estimates Ethiopia’s coffee production for MY 2022/23 (Oct-Sep) to reach 8.27 million 60 kg bags (496,200 MT).

 

Kazakhstan: Kazakhstan Announces Second Stage of 2023 Meat and Poultry Tariff Rate Quotas

On April 13, 2023, the Ministry of Trade and Integration announced the second stage of 2023 meat and poultry quotas by HS code for historic suppliers (i.e., importers). The second stage approved the distribution of 8,505 tons of beef and 94,500 tons of poultry. The 2023 TRQ volumes and rates remain unchanged from those announced in 2022.

 

Mexico: Dairy and Products Semi-annual

Post forecasts both rising dairy imports and production in 2023, due to a favorable exchange rate and increased domestic demand for dairy products. Milk production is forecast to increase due to favorable weather conditions and a growing herd. As a result of higher domestic milk production, cheese, butter, and milk powder exports are forecast to increase. Skim milk powder and dry whole milk powder imports, particularly from the United States, remain strong and are forecast to increase in 2023.

 

Nicaragua: Coffee Annual

FAS/Managua projects Nicaraguan Arabica coffee production to remain mostly flat in marketing year 2023/24 at 2.46 million 60-kilogram bags, reflecting successive years of sub-optimal fertilizer application dating back to 2020 when fertilizer prices rose amid global supply chain disruptions and new taxes on agricultural inputs. FAS/Managua expects lower fertilizer prices in 2023 will support increased fertilizer application in marketing year 2023/24 and increased production in marketing year 2024/25.

 

Nigeria: Sugar Annual

The Federal Executive Council approved the extension of the National Sugar Master Plan (NSMP) by 10 years (2023-2033). NSMP is an effort of the Government of Nigeria to ensure self-sufficiency in local sugar production. Post forecasts an 8 percent increase in sugarcane production in MY 2023/24. Post foresees scaling-up of investments in sugarcane crushing operations. Meanwhile, increased demand for refined sugar across the West Africa region and other African countries will drive refined sugar exports in MY 2023/24.

 

Poland: Poland Waives Certain Biosecurity Requirements for Backyard Pig Farms

On May 10, 2023, a regulation of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development entered into force, reducing biosecurity requirements for raising pigs kept for the production of meat for own use. However, representatives of commercial farms, as well as the veterinarians, have criticized the new provisions due to fears of increased risk of African swine fever spread by small farmers, undermining the work of the past 9 years to control the disease and minimize negative trade impacts.

 

Thailand: Rice Price - Weekly

Export and domestic prices of Thai rice increased one percent due to the strengthening of the Thai baht and strong demand for Thai rice.