GAIN reports

The following GAIN reports were released on August 31, 2023._______  European Union: Prognosfruit 2023 - EU Apple and Pear Production is Forecast to Decline On August 2-4, 2023, the World Apple and Pear Association (WAPA) presented the 2023 EU apple and pear crop forecast at the 48th edition of the Prognosfruit convention. WAPA forecasts the 2023 EU fresh apples crop at 11.4 million metric tons (MT), 3.3 percent below the 2022 harvest. The reduction is a result of poor pollination and droughts. Production of fresh pears is forecast at 1.7 million MT. This is a decrease of 12.8 percent compared to 2022, and largely a result of weather-related reductions in Italy, France, and Greece. This forecast reflects the situation as of mid-July.   India: India Bans the Export of Non-Basmati White Rice On July 20, 2023, the India’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI)/Directorate General of Foreign Trade issued Notification No. 20/2023 – Amendment in Export Policy of Non-basmati Rice under Harmonized System (HS) Code 1006.30.90. The Indian government is banning with immediate effect the export of non-basmati, white (NBW) rice (semi-milled or wholly milled, whether polished or not, glazed: other). India is already effectively banning the export of broken rice (HS code 1006.40.00). The export bans in place for NBW and broken rice, together accounted for nearly 45 percent of India’s total rice exports in calendar year (CY) 2022 (January-December). To date, however, there has been no change in the export policy in place for non-basmati parboiled rice (HS code 1006.30.10) and basmati rice (HS code 1006.30.20), which together account for the balance of rice exports. Thailand: Grain and Feed Update Post lowered MY2023/24 rice production estimate to 19.6 MMT due to water supply concerns. MY2023/24 corn production and imports will likely increase as planting acreage expands, swine production gradually recovers, and poultry production grows. MY2023/24 wheat imports will likely fall as flour mills still carry high wheat stocks. Vietnam: Rice Trade - Monthly In July, Vietnam's rice exports surged to 656,869 tons, with its primary export markets being the Philippines, Indonesia, Ivory Coast, Ghana, and China. Notably, shipments to the Philippines soared to 239,400 tons, marking a 45% spike from the previous month and securing a 36% share of the export market. Meanwhile, exports to Indonesia, the second-ranked market, accounted for 17% of market share but experienced an 11% decline. The average export price for all rice types rose by 8% compared to the previous month due to India's ban on non-basmati white rice exports on July 20, followed by the ban on rice exports by the United Arab Emirates and Russia a week later  For more information, or for an archive of all FAS GAIN reports, please visit gain.fas.usda.gov/.

The following GAIN reports were released on August 30, 2023.

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China: Cotton and Products Update

Marketing year (MY) 23/24 cotton production is lowered to 5.9 million metric tons (MMT) on reduced planted area and raised for MY 22/23 to 6.68 MMT on higher planted area and reported volumes of classified Xinjiang cotton. Imports for MY 23/24 are raised slightly to 1.9 MMT on lower yarn imports and People’s Republic of China (PRC) issuance of 750,000 metric tons (MT) of additional sliding-scale import quota. China’s textile and apparel industry continues to face significant headwinds in the form of competition from South and Southeast Asia, lackluster overseas demand, and a weakening domestic economy.

 European Union: Stone Fruit Annual

In MY 2023/24, EU production of peaches and nectarines is estimated to amount to 3.6 million MT while cherry production is anticipated to amount to 657,435 MT. Unfavorable growing conditions in main producing Member States support the reduction in cherry production, while in peaches and nectarines, improved production levels in Spain offset poor performance registered in Italy. EU fresh stone fruit consumption has come under pressure due to the high inflation rate derived from the conflict in Ukraine.

Mexico: Cotton and Products Update

Post forecasts marketing year 2023/24 production at 1.1 million 480-bales, a 30 percent decline compared to the previous year due to higher input costs and lack of access to new genetically engineered seed varieties. Local industry and government officials project output from the recent crop harvests will be significantly lower than in previous years. Consumption is forecast to decline due to slow growth in domestic demand, increased competition from synthetic fibers and yarn imports from Asia, and the peso’s appreciation against the dollar.

For more information, or for an archive of all FAS GAIN reports, please visit gain.fas.usda.gov/. 

The following GAIN reports were released on August 29, 2023.______ 

Hong Kong: The Hong Kong Wonton - Volume 3 Issue 17

Bite size local news, Post reports and activity summaries wrapped by ATO Hong Kong. In this issue: U.S. Food Companies Return to FoodExpo After Three-Year Hiatus; Hong Kong’s Economic Recovery Softens in Second Quarter; Trade Volume External Merchandise Lowers in June; Hong Kong Plays Host to 3.6 Million Travelers in July; Mid-Year Population Increases 2.1 Percent; Macau Tourism Industry Sees Increasing Number of Tours Group; Macau Forecast 2024 Deficit Despite $25.6 Billion on Expected Gaming Revenue; Evening Shows Key to Night Economy; Halal Eateries Hold Key to ASEAN Push; Hong Kong-Macau Cross Boundary Good Vehicles Using the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge to Start on August 8; Smuggled Goods Including Frozen Wagyu Beef and Dried Shark Fins Worth $2.4 Million Seized.

Japan: USJTA Treatment for Nuts 2023

The U.S.-Japan Trade Agreement (USJTA) entered Year 5 of the agreement implementation on April 1, 2023. This report is one in a series of product briefs highlighting the tariff benefits for specific commodities and products from Year 5 (2023) to Year 7 (2025) of the Agreement. Additional information is available at www.usdajapan.org/usjta/.

Japan: USJTA Treatment for Potatoes and Potato Products 2023

The U.S.-Japan Trade Agreement (USJTA) entered Year 5 of the agreement implementation on April 1, 2023. This report is one in a series of product briefs highlighting the tariff benefits for specific commodities and products from Year 5 (2023) to Year 7 (2025) of the Agreement. Additional information is available at www.usdajapan.org/usjta/.

Japan: USJTA Treatment for Wine 2023

The U.S.-Japan Trade Agreement (USJTA) entered Year 5 of the agreement implementation on April 1, 2023. This report is one in a series of product briefs highlighting the tariff benefits for specific commodities and products from Year 5 (2023) to Year 7 (2025) of the Agreement. Additional information is available at www.usdajapan.org/usjta/.

 For more information, or for an archive of all FAS GAIN reports, please visit gain.fas.usda.gov/.

The following GAIN reports were released on August 28, 2023.

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Argentina: Citrus Semi-annual

For marketing year (MY) 2022/23, Post revises fresh lemon production estimates to 1.65 million metric tons (MMT), down 6.5 percent from the official USDA estimate due to continued adverse weather and poor economic conditions, especially for smaller producers. Fresh orange production is estimated at 623,000 MT, down 177,000 MT from official USDA estimates, and fresh tangerine production is estimated at 285,000 MT, down 95,000 MT. As a result of lower production, lemon exports are expected to fall to 200,000 MT. This is a decline of 8 percent from official USDA estimates. Sweet citrus exports are also expected to fall, with fresh orange exports forecast at 55,000 MT, a decrease of 8 percent, and tangerine exports forecast at 30,000 MT, a decrease of 47 percent from official USDA estimates.

Kenya: FAIRS Annual Country Report

This report provides updates on Government of Kenya (GOK) import requirements and regulations for food and agricultural products. It includes applicable laws, guidelines, import procedures, and contact details of key trade regulatory and specialist agencies. In October, 2022, the GOK lifted a long-standing ban on genetically engineered (GE) agricultural and food products, however, to date GE products cannot be exported to Kenya due to a court injunction. Exports to Kenya must be inspected by an agent contracted by the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) in the country of origin or supply and be issued with a certificate of conformity (CoC) prior to shipment.

Kenya: FAIRS Export Certificate Report Annual

This report complements the FAIRS Annual Country Report for Kenya and provides information on certificates required by the Government of Kenya (GOK) to export food and agricultural products into the country. The Kenya Electronic Import Export System provides a single point for importers and exporters to electronically submit certificates and receive approvals from relevant trade regulatory agencies.

For more information, or for an archive of all FAS GAIN reports, please visit gain.fas.usda.gov/.

The following GAIN reports were released on August 25, 2023.

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Argentina: Biofuels Annual

Bioethanol consumption in 2023 is forecast at 1.17 billion liters, the highest on record, because of strong gasoline demand and a high blend rate. Bioethanol made from corn is expected to account for 62 percent and from sugarcane 38 percent. A severe drought in 2022 and 2023 affected most crops and regions in the country but had a significant impact on the sugarcane industry which will have a smaller output to produce ethanol. Biodiesel production is expected at 1.0 billion liters, near record lows. Biodiesel exports in the first half of 2023 have been slower than normal, due to the uncompetitive price of Argentine biodiesel entering the EU. Domestic biodiesel demand is also expected to be restrained because of lower overall diesel demand and lower mandated blend rates. The only significant investment taking place in the local biofuels sector is the expansion of two of the large corn bioethanol plants which are schedule to be operation in late 2024 or early 2025.

China: Exporter Alert - Dairy Facility Registration Expirations

Most U.S. dairy facilities registered to ship dairy products to the People’s Republic of China (PRC) will have their registration status expire on August 31, 2023. FAS China strongly encourages dairy exporters to check their registration status in the China Import Food Enterprise Registration (CIFER) system before shipping products. Companies that ship unregistered products are subject to denial of entry at Chinese ports.

 China: MARA Publishes Q and A on Agricultural Biotechnology

On August 24, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA) published on its website the transcript of a question-and-answer session on agricultural biotechnology. The transcript provides perspective on MARA’s approach to biosafety for genetically engineered (GE) products and efforts to expand commercial cultivation of GE corn and soybeans. This report provides an unofficial translation of the report.

China: PRC Suspends Imports of Aquatic Products from Japan

On August 24, the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) suspended all imports of aquatic products (including edible aquatic animals) from Japan, effective immediately. The announcement follows Japan’s announced plans to begin releasing more than one million metric tons of treated radioactive water from the Fukushima power plant into the Pacific Ocean. This report provides an unofficial translation of the GACC announcement and initial review of impacted trade.

Costa Rica: Costa Rica Rice Situation Update

U.S. rough rice exports have plummeted, and the decline of Costa Rican rice production has accelerated sharply following the Government of Costa Rica’s August 2022 tariff rate reduction on imported rice from all origins. FAS/San Jose projects local marketing year 2023/24 production to drop to 65,000 metric tons, a nearly 60 percent drop from marketing year marketing year 2021/22.

For more information, or for an archive of all FAS GAIN reports, please visit gain.fas.usda.gov/.



FAS Helps Brew Up Business for U.S. Hops Industry

American breweries and craft beer have grown in popularity in recent years. And that interest in these refreshing, artisan beverages is hopping from continent-to-continent thanks in part to collaboration between the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service and the U.S. hops industry.

Through USDA programs like the Market Access Program and the Quality Samples Program, FAS provides financial and technical assistance to growers and exporters to help them promote their products overseas and build new commercial markets for U.S. hops and craft beer around the world. These two programs help trade organizations, such as Hops Growers of America (HGA), reach new customers and showcase to foreign brewers the quality of U.S. hops.

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