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The following GAIN reports were released on July 9, 2024. _______Bosnia and Herzegovina: FAIRS Country Report AnnualThis report provides information on the food and agricultural product import requirements for Bosnia and Herzegovina. Important points of contact for U.S. food exporters are listed in the appendices. Sections updated in June 2024: Executive Summary; Section I. Food Laws; Section VII. Other Specific Standards; Section VIII. Geographical Indicators, Trademarks, Brand Names, and Intellectual Property Rights; and Section X. Trade Facilitation.
Bosnia and Herzegovina: FAIRS Export Certificate Report AnnualThis report provides guidance and lists and describes certificates/documents that must accompany food and agricultural products exported to Bosnia and Herzegovina as required by pertaining regulations. Report last updated: June 2024.
Bulgaria: Poultry Market UpdateFAS/Sofia expects growth in Bulgarian poultry production in 2024, driven by declining feed/production costs and improving competitiveness, as well as by continued growth in consumer incomes, travel, and tourism. Expanding demand is already leading to higher poultry meat output in the first months of 2024. High Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) outbreaks began to hit the industry in the fall of 2023 but only one broiler farm has been affected, while the impact on layer and duck farms has been much more significant. Consumption of poultry meat in the country reached a new record in 2023, driven by improving incomes, and a significant rebound in the food service industry. Demand recovered faster than domestic supply and was met by double digit percentage growth in imports.
Ethiopia: Ethiopian Agricultural Exports Thrive Despite the Red Sea Shipping DisruptionRed Sea shipping remains unstable, with attacks on ships transiting this crucial maritime corridor surging recently. This has led to unpredictable shipping schedules, caused freight costs to almost triple, and transit times to more than double. Despite these challenges, key Ethiopian agricultural exports such as coffee, sesame seeds, and kidney beans, as well as imports like wheat, rice, and vegetable oil, have grown.
Haiti: Haiti Appoints New Minister of AgricultureMr. Vernet Joseph, a former senior-level official with the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of the Environment, was appointed on June 13, 2024, as head of the Ministry of Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Rural Development in Haiti. His priorities during his mandate include reclaiming abandoned farmland, repairing defective irrigation systems, and enhancing fishing activities to reduce food imports. Minister Joseph succeeded Mr. Bredy Charlot in this role.
India: A Glimpse into Kochi Retail Food Import LandscapeKochi's young, educated, and well-traveled population offers promising opportunities for U.S. exporters. An inclination towards health-conscious choices is driving demand for nutritious and fresh fruits, along with healthy snacks and seeds. Moreover, there is a market for premium products. During festival seasons, Kochi's rich gifting culture provides a special window for exporters to showcase their products. Understanding these dynamics and leveraging them effectively will be crucial for U.S. exporters aiming to establish a foothold in this market.
India: Distilled Spirits Wine and Beer Market Update 2024India’s total alcoholic beverage sector is the world’s third largest, with yearly sales of $44 billion according to Euromonitor. Despite India’s high import tariff structure, lack of uniformity in state excise rates, state specific regulations, and limited opportunities for the marketing of alcoholic beverages, the sector continues to witness significant growth that is set to expand to $55 billion by 2027. India offers strong growth prospects in the alcoholic drinks sector over the next five years driven by an expanding, young, middle-class, and a burgeoning premiumization trend. In addition, the current low per capita consumption creates significant room for growth. India’s imports of alcoholic beverages in 2023 reached $1 billion, a 74 percent year-on-year increase dominated by distilled spirits with 56 percent market share, with U.S. origin exports up by 32 percent to $20.5 million.
Morocco: New Regulations for Importing Rendering Products for Pet FoodThe government of Morocco has issued a new code of procedures for the importation of animal meal, which previously had no established framework. This regulation now permits the use of animal meal in dog and cat food, opening opportunities for broader applications of rendered products in other animal feeds.
Philippines: Grain and Feed UpdateDespite record production and ample stocks, the Philippines is forecast to import a record volume of rice. Large imports are spurred in part by high domestic prices and the recent government decision to reduce tariffs from 35 to 15 percent. With lower corn production due to the Fall Army Worm issues, imports of both corn and wheat are also expected to rise to meet growing feed demand.
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 July 8, 2024.
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Sri Lanka: FAIRS Country Report Annual
The Food Act No. 26 of 1980, Animal Feed Act No. 15 of 1986, Plant Protection Act No. 35 of 1999, and Import and Export Control Act No. 1 of 1969 are the main laws that govern food imports into Sri Lanka. Import regulation are in the hands of several state institutions, making the process complicated and time-consuming. Although several regulations have been in place for decades, new regulations are in the pipeline. In seeking to meet the commitments of the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Sri Lanka is streamlining the processes of regulatory authorities. To streamline import and export trading processes, Sri Lanka has initiated two online platforms: The Sri Lanka Trade Information Portal and the National Single Window.
Sri Lanka: FAIRS Export Certificate Report Annual
This FAIRS report lists the export certificates required for food and agricultural products shipped to the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka (Sri Lanka). An export certificate matrix is included in this report. The requirements listed are specific for consignments coming directly from the United States of America to Sri Lanka, or transshipped in sealed containers with invoices stating that Sri Lanka is the final destination.
Thailand: Rice Price - Weekly
Rice export prices further dropped 1-3 percent due to the weakening of the Thai baht.
For more information, or for an archive of all FAS GAIN reports, please visit gain.fas.usda.gov/.
Six New Agricultural Officers Sworn into Foreign Service
WASHINGTON, July 8, 2024 – U.S. Department of Agriculture Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Alexis M. Taylor today administered the oath of office to six employees of USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service who will serve American agriculture around the world as a part of the U.S. Foreign Service.
The new Foreign Service officers will be stationed at U.S. embassies and diplomatic missions on three continents, beginning their careers as agricultural attachés charged with monitoring agricultural production and trade, identifying export opportunities, enhancing food security and supporting U.S. foreign policy objectives.
“I am extremely proud of this diverse group of diplomats who completed their rigorous training and are now prepared to serve on the frontlines of agricultural diplomacy,” Taylor said. “These skilled officers will bolster our Foreign Service as they begin their critical work of safeguarding and promoting U.S. agricultural interests, a task that is increasingly vital in today’s competitive and dynamic global agricultural trade environment.”
The officers sworn in today are:
- Damian Ferrese from Pittsburgh, Pa., assigned to the Office of Agricultural Affairs in Nairobi, Kenya;
- Joshua DeMoss, from Gilmer, Texas, assigned to the Office of Agricultural Affairs in Beijing, China;
- Jeffrey Galloway, from Los Angeles, Calif., assigned to the Office of Agricultural Affairs in Accra, Ghana;
- Benjamin Henderson, from Denver, Colo., assigned to the Office of Agricultural Affairs in Hanoi, Vietnam;
- Katherine McBride, from Colorado Springs, Colo., assigned to the Office of Agricultural Affairs in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; and
- Jason Wrobel, from Chicago, Ill., assigned to the Office of Agricultural Affairs in Guatemala City, Guatemala.
More information about FAS and its work to advance U.S. agricultural interests around the globe is available at www.fas.usda.gov.
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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