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The following GAIN reports were released on June 6, 2024. _______ Angola: Angola Publishes New Tariff Schedule Banning Imports of Offal On April 1, 2024, Angola issued Presidential Legislative Decree No. 1/24 – a new Schedule for Customs Tariffs of Import and Export Duties. The new tariff schedule aims to generate more government revenue while also protecting domestic production. Key updates include the structure of Harmonized System Nomenclature, interpretation guidelines, dispute resolution mechanisms, and regulations on Value Added Tax, Special Consumption Tax, and General Customs Fees. It also addresses customs benefits, safeguard measures, protection of emerging industries, and the revocation of previous decrees.   Hong Kong: The Hong Kong Wonton - Volume 4 Issue 9 Bite size local news, Post reports and activity summaries wrapped by ATO Hong Kong. In this issue: U.S. Vinters Develop Asian Markets In Earnest; Hong Kong’s First Quarter GDP Expands 2.7 Percent; Unemployment Rate Stays at 3 Percent; Expanded Hong Kong Solo Travel Scheme Will Bring Extra Tourists; Macau’s Economic Output Expected to Return to Pre-Pandemic Levels in 2025; Hong Kong Bakeries Eye China With Faster Customs Clearance Scheme; Hong Kong Trials Digital Yuan For Retail And Cross-border Payments; U.S. Supermarket Chain To Launch Online Shopping in Hong Kong, One Industry Expert Warns Of “Retail Crisis”; Hong Kong Resumes Imports of Poultry Meat and Products From Seventeen U.S. Counties; Hong Kong Suspends Poultry Imports From Four U.S. Counties and Areas in India, Korea, and Australia.   India: Wood and Wood Products Update 2024 India’s annual import of logs, lumber, and wood products has increased from $630 million to $2.3 billion over the past two decades, with U.S. market share reaching a record high $84 million in 2023. Limited domestic supplies coupled with booming retail furniture, handicraft and hospitality sectors is driving demand for newer species. Exporters are also increasingly sourcing imported species to meet certification requirements in export markets.   Netherlands: Dutch Loss of Manure Derogation In 2024, the Netherlands lost its manure derogation, an exception through which Dutch farmers could spread more manure on their land than stipulated in the EU Nitrate Directive. With the loss of this derogation, the Dutch agricultural sector is faced with an immediate surplus of manure which can only be disposed of at a cost, impacting production costs and productivity. This situation has the potential to disaffect many dairy farmers through loss of income and/or buyout schemes. The Dutch Ministry of Agriculture, Nature, and Food Quality is looking for solutions, and plans to address the issues in a manure plan.   Ukraine: Ukraine sets zero export quota for sugar to the EU for 2024 Ukraine established a self-limiting trade measure for sugar to create long term trust with its neighbor.   Zambia: Zambia Depends on Corn Imports to Maintain Food Security Zambia’s production of its staple crop, corn, is expected to drop by more than 50 percent in marketing year 2024/25, due to extended dry spells associated with the El Niño event. Almost a million hectares of corn have been destroyed by the drought that forced the Zambian President to declare a “National Disaster and Emergency”. Post estimates that Zambia could import approximately 1 million metric tons of corn in marketing year 2024/25 to meet local demand and mandated strategic food reserves. As a result, the Zambia government authorized the private sector to import corn, albeit only genetically engineered free corn will be permitted. The cultivation of genetically engineered corn is still prohibited in Zambia. However, the country has made strides towards revising its biosafety policy, which will give momentum to revamped biosafety legislation, changing the current restrictive approach to biotechnology to a more science-based and enabling environment.     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 June 5, 2024.

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Australia: Exporter Guide Annual

Australia is a prosperous and industrialized nation with a stable economy. The country’s strong economy underpins its open and transparent trade and investment environment and trade and economic links with emerging economies, particularly in Asia. The U.S. - Australia Free Trade Agreement provides some advantages for U.S. products, which Australian consumers regard as high quality and of good value. The United States accounted for US$1.3 billion or 10 percent of Australia’s total food and agriculture-related imports in 2023.

 

Canada: Ontario Fast Tracks Allowing Sales of Wine and Beer in Retail Stores

On May 24, 2024, the Ontario provincial government announced an accelerated plan to allow sales of wine, beer, cider, and ready-to-drink alcoholic beverages in grocery and convenience stores by the end of October 2024. The initial timeline provided for implementation to begin in January 2026.

 

India: Grain and Feed Update

On April 15, 2024, the Indian Metrological Department (IMD) predicted above normal 2024 monsoon rains. FAS New Delhi (Post) market year (MY) 2024/2025 (April-March) wheat production is forecast at a record 114 million metric tons (MMT), same as the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) official forecast, on higher than initially expected yields in the northern Indian states due to favorable weather through the harvest. Post has adopted the USDA official forecasts for consumption, stocks, and trade for MY 2024/2025. Post is also adopting the USDA official MY 2024/2025 production forecast number for rice and corn on an expected above normal 2024 monsoon rains which will support higher plantings and yields. Consumption and stocks in Post's production-supply-distribution (PSD) tables are adjusted to reflect higher forecast production.

 

Japan: Japan Opens Public Comment Period for Revised Wood Product Standards

Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries invites public comments on proposed revisions of the Japan Agricultural Standards for cross laminated timber (CLT), sawn lumber (except dimension lumber), and flooring through July 2, 2024. Comments must be submitted in Japanese.

 

Turkiye: Health Claims Policy for Foods and Food Supplements in Turkiye

The Ministry of Health is the competent authority for identifying principles, procedures, and enforcement related to health claims made on the labels, presentation, and advertising of foods and food supplements for the end consumer. Currently, there are a total of 234 health claims listed in the Guideline on Health Claims for Foods and Food Supplements which are allowed to be made.

 

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

USDA Embarks on First-ever Trade Mission Focused on Indigenous and Native Nations Products

WASHINGTON, June 5, 2024 – For the first time, the U.S. Department of Agriculture will conduct an agribusiness trade mission focused on Indian Country and Native Hawaiian Community businesses, products and priorities, as well as amplifying collaboration and knowledge sharing with First Nations in Canada. USDA Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Alexis M. Taylor will lead this historic trade mission to Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, June 17-20. She will be joined by 15 tribal agribusinesses and 13 Native Nations agricultural leaders. 

“This trade mission will be a conduit for enhancing the already existing trade network between agriculturalists belonging to Canada and U.S. Native Nations, as well as the Native Hawaiian Community,” said Under Secretary Taylor. “USDA is proud to be collaborating with the Intertribal Agricultural Council and the Department of the Interior’s Office of Native Hawaiian Relations to bring forward more Native Nations farmers and agribusinesses into exporting and foreign market diversification.” 

Indigenous food production reflects the rich traditions of Native people and continues to be a dynamic component of both U.S. and Canadian agriculture. For Native Nations’ food and farm products, Canada is a growth market with tremendous export potential. Canada consistently ranks among the top markets for U.S. agricultural product exports, representing one of our most significant and reliable trading partners. Total U.S. exports of agricultural and related products to Canada totaled $28.2 billion in 2023. Recent data from the USDA Census of Agriculture suggests that American Indian/Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian agricultural production contributes $8 billion annually to the U.S. domestic food economy. 

“Community is an ever-present characteristic of American agriculture, but especially for Native food and agri-systems,” said Taylor. “USDA and the Intertribal Agricultural Council share a commitment to promoting the authenticity and enriched nature of growing, harvesting and consuming indigenous foods and agricultural products. Other markets around the world also recognize this uniqueness in American agriculture and are interested in importing these high-quality products.” 

In addition to business-to-business meetings, trade mission delegates will take part in high-level policy discussions on important issues facing indigenous producers and agricultural communities in the United States and Canada. These engagements will bring together leaders and experts from indigenous communities in both countries. 

On the trade mission, Under Secretary Taylor will be joined by Minnesota Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan, Intertribal Agricultural Council Board President Harlan Beaulieu and officials from the Maine, North Carolina and Oregon Departments of Agriculture. 

Also joining the Under Secretary are leaders and representatives from the following tribes: 

1. Ayittatoba, Kansas City, Mo.
2. Tocabe Foods, Denver, Colo.
3. Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, Durrant, Okla.
4. Columbia River Inter-tribal Fish Commission, Portland, Ore.
5. Fort Belknap Indian Community, Harlem, Mont.
6. Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska, White Cloud, Kan.
7. Mesa Grande Business Development Corporation, an arm of the Mesa Grande Band of Mission Indians – Golden Eagle Farm, Ramona, Calif.
8. Rincon Band of Luiseño Indians, Valley Center, Calif.

Additionally, representatives from the following businesses will be part of the delegation:

1. CatSpring Yaupon, Cat Spring, Texas
2. Herbal Lodge, Petoskey, Mich.
3. Ioway Bee Farm, White Cloud, Kan.
4. Lakota Foods, Lower Brule, S.D.
5. Morning Light Kombucha, Mayetta, Kan.
6. Native American Brewing, Inc., Cherokee, N.C.
7. Navajo Mike’s, Tempe, Ariz.
8. Red Lake, Inc., Redby, Minn.
9. Tatsey’s Ranch, Browning, Mont.
10. Yakama Nation Farms, Wapato, Wash.
11. Yopun Tea, Kennewick, Wash.
12. 1 Farm Poultry, Salina, Okla. 
13. Na Hua o ka Aina & Kauaheu Farms, Ho'olehua, Hawaii
14. Kumano I Ke Ala, West Kaua’i, Hawaii
15. Camins 2 Dreams, Lompoc, Calif. 

For more information about this and other USDA trade missions, visit: https://fas.usda.gov/topics/trade-missions.

USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. In the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy, and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit www.usda.gov.

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