USDA ΔΙΕΘΝΗΣ ΑΓΡΟΤΙΚΗ ΠΛΗΡΟΦΟΡΗΣΗ

 

The following GAIN reports were released on July 12, 2024. _______   China: Cancellation of Inspection and Quarantine Approval Requirements for Certain Products On June 28, 2024, the General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China (GACC) announced that imported plant-based feed, plant-based fertilizers and cultivation media, plant-based Chinese medicinal materials, tobacco leaves, fresh vegetables, fishmeal for feed, and animal skins no longer require inspection and quarantine approval.   China: Decree 248 Product List Update - July 2024 The General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (GACC) Bureau of Import and Export Food Safety (BIEFS) updated the list of products and codes subject to Decree 248. The PRC has not notified these changes to trade partners. Between May 2, 2024 and July 8, 2024, BIEFS added 60 products and removed 13 products.   China: Promote US Seafood at the 2024 China Fisheries and Seafood Expo The China Fisheries and Seafood Expo (CFSE) will be held from October 30th to November 1st, 2024, in Qingdao, Shandong Province. As one of the most influential and the world’s largest seafood industry show in the world, CFSE showcases various aquatic and seafood products for trade and processing. In 2023, the United States exported nearly $1.4 billion in seafood products to China. The Agricultural Trade Office in Beijing (ATO Beijing) at U.S. Embassy China will continue to support U.S. exhibitors at CFSE 2024.   Hong Kong: The Hong Kong Wonton - Volume 4 Issue 11 Bite size local news, Post reports and activity summaries wrapped by ATO Hong Kong. In this issue: ATO Hong Kong Kicks Off Sizzling Summer Retail Promotions; Beijing Moves To Offer 5-year Travel Permits To Non-Chinese Hong Kong Permanent Residents; Hong Kong’s New Sleeper Trains Lure Gen Z; Macau Woos Gourmets To City’s Gastronomic Offerings In Effort To Veer Away From Gambling; Higher Duty-free Limit In Hong Kong Draws Lukewarm Response Among Mainland Shoppers; Mainland Chinese Retailers Struggle To Survive Hong Kong’s Sky-high Rents; Advance Release Arrangement for Hong Kong-Manufactured Food Products Entering the Mainland Market; California Wines Brings Good Vibes to Local Consumers; Hong Kong Market Pumped For California Raisins; Consumer Spending on Premium Pet Foods Expected to Grow; Hong Kong Suspends Imports Of Poultry Meat And Products From Three U.S. Counties.   Japan: Japan Invites Public Comments on the Exemption of Domestic Field Trial for Genetically Engineered Soybean with Familiar Trait On Monday, June 24, 2024, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) of the Government of Japan (GOJ) opened a public comment period for its revision for domestic field trial requirements of genetically engineered (GE) crops. The revision proposes to exempt GE soybeans with familiar traits from domestic field trails. The comment period will be closed on July 23, 2024.   Thailand: Rice Price - Weekly Rice export prices further dropped 1-2 percent despite the strengthening of the Thai baht.   Turkiye: 2024-2028 Livestock Roadmap Overview Turkiye’s Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, Ibrahim Yumakli, announced the “2024-2028 Livestock Roadmap” in February 2024, following significant decreases in domestic livestock inventories. These shortages were the result of a sizable increase in the number of slaughtered female cattle after domestic raw milk prices fell sharply. At the same time, Turkiye has seen a 640 percent increase over the previous year in live cattle imports, which were valued at $1.2 billion in 2023. The roadmap, which the Ministry continues to promote, seeks to secure Turkiye's domestic livestock industry through support to women and family-farms, as well as to increase the viability of Turkiye's livestock genetics inventory.   Turkiye: Turkiye Raisins Update  This report focuses on Turkiye’s production of sultana raisins, which are a dried, seedless grape variety indigenous to the Aegean region of Turkiye and grown mostly in the regions of Manisa, Izmir, Mersin, and Denizli. In MY 2023/24, Turkish sultana raisin production decreased to 245,000 MT on 77,000 ha, following unexpected rains and subsequent mildew disease. Post expects the effects of the MY 2023/24 mildew disease to continue into the next MY, and production will continue to be below average. In MY 2024/25, sultana raisin production is forecast to be about 265,000 MT. Cotton: World Markets and Trade This monthly report includes data on U.S. and global trade, production, consumption and stocks, as well as analysis of developments affecting world trade in cotton. Current Report Past Reports (USDA Economics, Statistics and Market Information System) World Agricultural Production Monthly report on crop acreage, yield and production in major countries worldwide. Sources include reporting from FAS’s worldwide offices, official statistics of foreign governments,  and analysis of economic data and satellite imagery. The report reflects official USDA estimates released in the monthly World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE).  Current Report Past Reports (USDA Economics, Statistics and Market Information System)   Grain: World Markets and Trade This monthly report includes data on U.S. and global trade, production, consumption and stocks, as well as analysis of developments affecting world trade in grains. Covers wheat, rice and coarse grains (corn, barley, sorghum, oats and rye). Current Report Past Reports (USDA Economics, Statistics and Market Information System)     For more information, or for an archive of all FAS GAIN reports, please visit gain.fas.usda.gov/. Oilseeds: World Markets and Trade This monthly report includes data on U.S. and global trade, production, consumption and stocks, as well as analysis of developments affecting world trade in oilseeds. Covers oilseeds (copra, cottonseed, palm kernel, peanut, rapeseed, soybean and sunflower seed), meal (copra, cottonseed, fish, palm kernel, peanut, rapeseed, soybean and sunflower seed) and oil (coconut, cottonseed, olive, palm, palm kernel, peanut, rapeseed, soybean and sunflower seed). Current Report Past Reports (USDA Economics, Statistics and Market Information System)

The following GAIN reports were released on July 11, 2024.

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Hong Kong: Reminder to US Beef Exporters of Hong Kong Regulations on Imports of Ground Beef 

Hong Kong classifies ground meat as prohibited meat under its food legislation. Importers are required to secure a permit from Hong Kong authorities to allow the entry of U.S. meat shipments prior to arrival at Hong Kong’s port. Absent this specific permit, Hong Kong will not issue an import license. U.S. exporters should confirm with their importers, particularly new importers of ground beef, if they have secured this permit prior to shipping as this can also inadvertently delay consolidated shipments containing eligible products.

 

Japan: New Policies for Foreign Ag Labor in Japan

With the aging of the population and the decline in the number of people in rural areas, securing labor in the field of agriculture has become more challenging in Japan. While the number of visa holders in agriculture has increased 45 percent compared to April 2019, when the new visa program targeting foreign workers that have specific skills and abilities was introduced, the majority of workers still gain employment through the Technical Intern Program, which has faced ongoing criticism due to humans' rights violations and inadequate support. The Japanese government recently enacted revised laws to develop a new system which places focus on nurturing and securing foreign talent starting in 2027.

 

South Africa: FAIRS Country Report Annual

The FAIRS Annual Country Report has been updated and summarizes the rules and regulations governing the import of food and agricultural products in South Africa. This report should be read in conjunction with the FAIRS Export Certificate Report to gain a thorough grasp of South African laws, standards, and import requirements. Important updates include South Africa’s new Maximum Residue Limits for pesticide residues, continued consideration of new food labelling regulation, a reduction in restrictions on plant-based meat alternatives, and the proposed new Plant Health Bill.

 

South Africa: FAIRS Export Certificate Report Annual

This report has been updated to reflect the newest information and contacts relevant to exporting to South Africa. The Food and Agricultural Import Regulation and Standards (FAIRS) Certificate Report includes a list of the main certificates and permits needed to export food and agricultural products to South Africa. For a thorough understanding of South Africa’s market access and certification requirements it is advisable to read the FAIRS Certificate Report in conjunction with the FAIRS Country Report.

 

Turkiye: FAIRS Export Certificate Report Annual

The 2024 Food and Agriculture Import Regulations and Standards (FAIRS) Export Certificate Report for Turkiye lists the major export certificates and other requirements expected by the Turkish government for food and agricultural products exports to Turkiye. This report should be read in coordination with the 2024 FAIRS Annual Country Report for Turkiye, which outlines specific requirements for food and agricultural product imports into Turkiye.

 

Turkiye: Turkish Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry Reapproves Seven Biotech Events and Approves Three New Enzymes

On June 28, 2024, the Turkish government published biosafety decisions reapproving the import of seven genetically engineered (GE) corn events for feed (Bt11, DAS1507, DAS59122, NK603, GA21, MON89034, MON88017) which had expired, and provided new approvals for three enzymes produced from GE-Aspergillius oryzae for industrial purposes.

 

 

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