GAIN reports

 

The following GAIN reports were released on February 20, 2023. _______   Canada: Comment Period Open for Bill 96 in Quebec On January 10, the Quebec Ministry of the French Language launched consultations on the Draft Regulations, which includes necessary amendments and clarifications to Bill 96, An Act respecting French, passed on June 1, 2022. Any person wishing to comment on the draft Regulation is requested to submit written comments within the 45-day period (before February 24, 2024) to the Minister of the French Language. South Africa: Competition Commission conducts inquiry into the South African poultry industry The Competition Commission of South Africa, and independent body under the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition announced the launch of a comprehensive market inquiry that will seek to determine if the South African poultry industry is impeding, distorting, or restricting competition in a way that violates the South African Competition Act. This announcement follows a report published by the Competition Commission in 2023 that noted the concentration and vertical integration of the poultry industry. The Commission previously alluded to the role that protection from international competition may be playing in the consumer price of chicken in South Africa and noted that low-income consumers are heavily dependent upon poultry for protein. The public has been invited to submit comments towards the draft Terms of Reference.   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 February 16, 2023.

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Costa Rica: Costa Rica Declares Screwworm Emergency

Costa Rica declared the re-emergence of New World screwworm a national emergency on February 7, 2024, nearly 7 months after reporting its first case since the late 1990s. Amid increasing case counts, expanding geographic distribution, and stringent fiscal controls, the emergency declaration should provide Costa Rican animal health authorities access to resources needed to "prevent, control, and eradicate" New World screwworm from Costa Rica. USDA and Costa Rica jointly funded the campaign that successfully eradicated New World screwworm in 2000; USDA suspended Costa Rica's 'free from' status for New World screwworm in August 2023, imposing additional requirements on live animals entering the United States from Costa Rica.

Jordan: WTO Notification Establishing Standards for Non-Alcoholic Energy Drinks

On February 2, 2024, the Jordan Standards and Metrology Organization (JSMO) notified G/TBT/N/JOR/55 to the World Trade Organization, Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade. This new measure outlines formulation and packaging requirements for non-alcoholic, ready-to-drink energy beverages, excluding sports drinks. This report includes an Unofficial English Translation of the JSMO measure titled “Technical regulation [that] specifies the requirements that must be met in non-alcoholic energy drinks ready for human consumption and does not include drinks for athletes.”

Thailand: Rice Price - Weekly

Rice export prices decreased 1-3 percent mainly due to further weakening of the Thai baht.

 

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

Diverse Export Opportunities for Food & Beverage Trade with Canada

The Canadian market offers opportunities for food and beverage producers to highlight important production attributes unique to their products. Consumers in Canada increasingly demand more transparency about the origin of food and beverages in their diets and the production practices used to grow and manufacture them. In conjunction with growing awareness about sustainability, Canadian consumption patterns are also trending toward healthier foods. These underlying demand shifts are supported by a relatively high disposable income which encourages retail outlets to diversify their selection. There is also an increasing demand for diverse flavors from a range of cuisines, which is in part a result of increased immigration. This combination of factors, along with geographic proximity, provides opportunities for imported specialty products from the United States and makes Canada an excellent market for new-to-export and smaller companies seeking to grow their businesses. 

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100 Years of Agricultural Trade: A Century of Growth, Innovation, and Progress

By: Alexis M. Taylor, USDA Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs

This year marks the 100th anniversary of USDA’s Agricultural Outlook Forum. I was excited to participate in a panel session that reviewed the past 100 years of agricultural trade in the United States and acknowledge the forces that have shaped its evolution during the past century.

Productivity gains, economic growth, technological advancements, and market liberalization have all contributed to the expansion of agricultural trade. It is equally important to evaluate what we have learned from the prior 100 years, as well as what lies ahead to ensure sustainable growth in international trade.

As a nation, we have a long history and tradition of taking on global challenges and addressing food insecurity around the world. Due in no small part to mechanization and scientific progress, the U.S. has nearly tripled its productivity spanning the last century, opening new opportunities for food and agricultural exports.

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