The following GAIN reports were released on December 15, 2023.
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Canada: Canada Announces First Cattle Methane Emission Reduction Protocol
Canada proposes a draft protocol, under its Greenhouse Gas Offset Credit System Regulations, to incentivise feedlot operators implement changes to reduce enteric methane emissions from beef cattle, and to generate carbon offset credits. Comments on the draft protocol are accepted until February 6, 2024, with a final protocol expected to be published in summer 2024.
Costa Rica: Craft Beer Seminar Highlights Sector Growth and Progress
A July 29 seminar brought together roughly 100 Costa Rican craft brewers, retailers, restauranteurs, and enthusiasts to promote new brewing products and training courses to further develop the Costa Rican craft beer sector. FAS/San José expects increased sales of featured U.S. products (including hop resin extract, malt, and other brewing inputs) over the next 12 months and will continue to work with importers and craft brewers to differentiate U.S. inputs in this small, but growing, craft beer market.
Ecuador: Exporter Guide
This report serves as a road map for U.S. companies exporting to Ecuador. While Ecuador is a challenging market for U.S. food and agricultural products, it is also one of opportunities. Domestic production cannot meet consumer demand, necessitating continued imports. Additionally, younger and lower to middle-income consumers’ appetite for imported products continues to grow despite an often-challenging economic situation. The Ecuador-EU Free Trade Agreement continues to threaten the United States’ market share in processed and fresh food products.
European Union: EU Citrus Annual 2023
The combination of drought, water irrigation limitations and abnormally high temperatures during flowering and fruit-setting phases have limited the EU’s citrus production potential in MY 2023/24, which is projected to stay at similar levels as the also short MY 2022/23 crop. The increase in the EU’s lemon and grapefruit production offsets the reduction registered in oranges, mandarins, and tangerines output. Imports continue to gain share at the expense of domestic production in a context of inflation-driven weak demand.
Hong Kong: The Hong Kong Wonton - Volume 3 Issue 25
Bite size local news, Post reports and activity summaries wrapped by ATO Hong Kong. In this issue: Triumphant Return of The Great American Texas BBQ; Hong Kong Exports Likely to Face Significant Challenges; Call to Develop In-depth Tourism; Hong Kong’s Traditional Street-Eateries Fight to Stay Open; Hong Kong Scores Top MICE Show; Macau’s October Hotel Occupancy at 83 Percent; Payments at Retail Made Easier for Travelers Between Hong Kong and Thailand; Major Hong Kong Retailers Promote Sustainability; Hong Kong October Retail Sales Up; Welcome Marketing Specialist Crystal Tang; Hong Kong Reports Second Case of African Swine Fever in a Month; Japanese Seafood Back in Flavor; Hong Kong Suspends Imports of Poultry and Products from Sixteen U.S. Counties.
Italy: FAIRS Annual Country Report
This report is intended to supplement the FAS U.S. Mission to the EU's Food and Agricultural Import Regulations and Standards (FAIRS) report with Italy-specific information. Italy's FAIRS provides contact information for the competent authorities that are responsible for the import of animal, plant, fish, and food products into the Italian market.
Japan: Exporter Guide
The Japanese food market was valued at $564 billion in 2022 with retail sales accounting for $327 billion (58 percent) and foodservice sales accounting for $237 billion (42 percent). Japan relies on imports from other countries for the bulk of its food supply. The United States was the leading supplier of consumer-oriented agricultural products with a 17 percent market share. The Japanese market is highly competitive with consumers seeking quality, value, and convenience. This report serves as an all-in-one resource for U.S. exporters to Japan with information on the food and beverage market, business culture, consumer preferences, import regulations, trends, and the U.S.-Japan Trade Agreement. Links are provided to additional resources with further details on each of these topics.
Japan: Prime Minister Office Publishes Agriculture Policy Priorities for Government Economic Package
The Government of Japan announced a new economic stimulus package of 17 trillion yen ($113 billion) on November 2, 2023. To fund the economic package, Japanese Cabinet approved a fiscal year 2023 supplementary budget proposal for 13.1 trillion ($87 billion) on November 10, 2023, of which 818 billion yen ($5.5 billion) will be allocated to the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF). MAFF intends to use the supplementary budget for strengthening food security and boosting agriculture, forestry and fisheries exports, in line with agricultural policy priorities announced by the Prime Minister’s office in October.
Japan: The Revised Clean Wood Act to be Enacted from April 2025
Japan has decided to fully enact the revised Clean Wood Act from April 1, 2025.
Thailand: Rice Price - Weekly
The steady demand for Thai rice from ASEAN countries slightly boosted rice export prices and offset the weakening of the Thai baht.
New Zealand: New Zealand Government Looks to Bring More Competition to Retail Grocery in New Zealand
New Zealand is about to pass and implement legislation to address one of the most concentrated supermarket sectors in the world. The competitive landscape consists of two leading players and a small number of very minor players. In 2020, the government called upon the Commerce Commission to investigate the supermarket (grocery) sector. The commission concluded in mid-2022 and made several recommendations that will enter into force from 2023 and beyond.
For more information, or for an archive of all FAS GAIN reports, please visit gain.fas.usda.gov/.
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