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The following GAIN reports were released on March 15, 2024. _______Hong Kong: The Hong Kong Wonton - Volume 4 Issue 4Bite size local news, Post reports and activity summaries wrapped by ATO Hong Kong. In this issue: U.S. Agricultural Exports Grow For The First Time Since 2018; Mainland Tourists Do Not Stay Overnight and Spend Less; Hong Kong’s Mega-Event Economy to Surpass Pre-pandemic Levels; Retail Veterans Expect Gradual Effects From Expansion Of The Individual Visit Scheme; Hong Kong Restaurants Grapple With Impending Ban On Plastics; Chinese Restaurants See Business Return; Fast-Food Joint Puts Speed Dating On the Menu; Citizens Crowd Markets For Lunar New Year Shopping; Ethylene Oxide Found in Samples of U.S. Prepackaged Seasoning; Macau Residents Living in Hengqin Allowed To Transport Pets and Plants; Hong Kong Suspends Imports of Poultry Meat And Products From Six U.S. Counties, and areas in Germany, Denmark, Japan, Poland, and Canada. Portugal: Food Processing IngredientsIn 2023, Portugal imported $293 million worth of agricultural, fish, and forestry products from the United States. Outside the European Union Member States, the United States was the third main origin of Portuguese agricultural and related imports. Portugal is a net importer of agricultural and related products. With a well-developed and export-oriented food and beverage industry, Portugal’s food processing sector continues to offer opportunities for U.S. food ingredients. This report provides guidance to U.S. companies interested in exporting food products to Portugal, including an overview of the country's economic situation, market structure, and export requirements. Spain: Food Processing Ingredients AnnualIn 2023, Spain imported $2.2 billion worth of agricultural, seafood and forest products from the United States, up 3 percent compared to the previous year. Even though inflation rates declined in 2023 as compared to the record highs registered in 2022, they remained higher compared to pre-pandemic levels. The high energy cost of raw materials and labor, as well as the effects of the drought, have increased the inflationary situation with repercussions for the productivity of companies and their margins, as well as for household consumption. Despite the economic and political uncertainties, Spain’s food and beverage sector continues to show a constant and positive performance. With one of the most competitive food processing industries in Europe, Spain’s demand for ingredients continues to increase, as well as its demand for distilled spirits, beef and beef products, seafood, pulses, and tree nuts. Thailand: Rice Price - WeeklyRice export prices stayed virtually unchanged as the strengthening of the Thai baht offset the downward price pressure from new off-season MY 2023/24 rice supplies entering the market.
For more information, or for an archive of all FAS GAIN reports, please visit gain.fas.usda.gov/.
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