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Toasting the New Year in Canada with New York WinesShoppers in Canada now have more options when it comes to selecting a special beverage for toasting and ringing in the new year. With the support of USDA Market Access Program (MAP) funds, the New York Wine and Grape Foundation (NYWGF) worked with the Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) to pop the cork and open the wine market just north of the border to New York State. The NYWGF’s efforts to break into the Canada market initially began in 2020 when the region’s wineries and exporters faced unprecedented challenges due to the Covid pandemic. With its close geographic proximity to New York State and the purchasing power of its consumers, Canada was identified as a great target market to help diversify and grow New York State wine sales. Ontario stood out, since the largest provincial liquor control board in the country is the LCBO. The NYWGF applied for MAP funds that year and soon kicked off a multi-year promotional campaign to attract Canadian importers and buyers. As a result, today the sales of New York wines have rebounded with more than 20-percent growth, by value and volume, as compared to 2020. This success is extremely meaningful for New York wineries, which are small- to medium-sized businesses. And while New York wineries produce less than 5,000 cases of wine per year, the industry contributes $6.65 billion to the state’s economic activity and supports close to 72,000 jobs. |
The following GAIN reports were released on December 27, 2023.
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China: 2024 China Trade Shows
Following three years of travel restrictions due to China’s zero-COVID policy, trade shows are quickly regaining their international participants and audiences. With hundreds of trade shows and conferences across China, this report includes a list of recommended food, agriculture, fishery, and forestry trade shows and conferences for 2024.
China: China Eliminates Tariffs on Sweet Corn Seeds and Dairy-Based Formula Foods for Special Medical Purposes
On December 21, 2023, the State Council Tariff Commission (SCTC) announced its annual tariff adjustment plan that sets tentative import and export tariff rates for select commodities in 2024. According to the plan, China will tentatively eliminate the import tariffs for sweet corn seeds, coriander seeds, burdock seeds, and dairy-based formula foods for special medical purposes in 2024. The report contains an unofficial translation of the 2024 tariff adjustment plan, a list of agriculture-related products subject to tentatively applied MFN tariff rates and a commodity list subject to tariff rate quotas (TRQ) administration.
European Union: EU Olive Oil Production Update
In MY 2023/24, the EU is facing a second consecutive short olive oil production crop. Consumer price increases resulting from the limited domestic availability will contribute to reduced consumption. The short crop will also preempt exports from expanding for the second consecutive year, while also continuing to push stock levels down.
India: India's Organic Agriculture Sector Finds Markets At Home and Abroad
FAS New Delhi projects India’s organic agriculture sector to be valued at $2.5 billion for the 2023/24 Marketing Year (MY). According to various sources, the domestic consumption of organic foods is trending upwards as the Indian consumer focus on health and wellness continues. However, challenges within India's organic certification process pose a threat to the credibility of the organic sector and its exports. To export to the United States, organic operations in India need to be certified by an USDA-accredited organic certifier. Currently there only eleven such operations in India. More generally, addressing the quality and certification challenges are crucial to maintaining the trust of consumers and international markets. By establishing dedicated platforms, enhancing testing and certification services, expanding product offerings, and supporting farmers through various initiatives, the government of India is laying the foundation for an export-oriented and sustainable organic ecosystem in the country.
Philippines: Reduced Pork and Corn Tariff Rates Extended Through 2024
On December 22, 2023, President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. signed Executive Order No. 50 (EO 50) extending lower tariffs on pork, corn, and rice for another year or until December 31, 2024. EO 50 was published on December 26, 2023, and took effect immediately upon publication. According to the EO, the reduced tariffs were extended to keep food prices stable due to the expected negative effect of the El Niño weather phenomenon and the continuing presence of African Swine Fever affecting domestic pork production.
Thailand: Rice Price - Weekly
Rice export prices increased 1- 4 percent mainly due to the strengthening of the Thai baht.
For more information, or for an archive of all FAS GAIN reports, please visit gain.fas.usda.gov/.
