The following Global Agricultural Information Network (GAIN) reports were released on Tuesday, September 1, 2020.
The Australian consumer food service industry is valued at A$59 billion. Australia’s commercial food service sector is a competitive market and with an aging population, the institutional food service sector (aged care, hospitals, etc.) continues to grow. Most industry operators in the hotel and resort sector derive a significant portion of revenue from the sale of meals and beverages prepared at onsite restaurants. Information on the effects of government reaction to COVID-19, and the effects of the restrictions introduced, are included throughout the report.
Post forecasts 2020/21 cotton area planted at 1.5 million hectares (ha), down 10 percent from the current harvest. Post’s forecast is mostly based on the tepid outlook for global consumption, and consequently low prices. In addition, the majority of cotton growers in Brazil have profitable alternative crops, such as soybeans or corn. The Post forecast for 2020/21 cotton production is 12.1 million bales. For the 2019/20 season, Post estimates area harvested at 1.69 million ha, and production at 13.4 million bales, with output higher than initially envisioned due to favorable weather. While domestic consumption is expected to plummet amid the hard-hitting coronavirus pandemic, exports will remain strong. Post forecasts 2020/21 MY exports at 9 million bales, nearly level when compared to the current season export estimate of 8.9 million bales. Exports are buffered by weak domestic currency, making Brazilian commodities more competitive internationally.
EU oilseeds production in MY 2020/21 is characterized by the lowest rapeseed production in more than a decade. Total major oilseeds (rapeseed, sunflower, soybeans) production is forecast to decline by about 1.5 percent year-on-year. The Covid-19 pandemic and its lockdown measures are expected to have a negative impact on oilseeds meal use in feed ratios due to lower meat consumption.
On August 17, 2020, the Government of India’s Food Safety and Standards Authority of India re-instituted its draft Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Amendment Regulation 2020, relating to meat and meat products. This amendment required an alignment with the relevant standards for feeds/feed materials used for meat and milk producing animals established by the Bureau of Indian Standards. The earlier compliance date of July 28, 2020 has now been extended until January 1, 2021.
The Ukrainian chicken meat industry recently completed a major production expansion cycle in 2019. Additionally, smaller producers are expected to launch new facilities in 2020/21. However, a significant decrease in prices for Ukrainian chicken meat both domestically and on the world market, together with the outbreak of highly pathogenic avian flu (H5N1) in January 2020, resulted in a slowdown in both production and exports. Ukrainian exports are expected to catch up by the end of 2020. Production in 2020 is expected to ultimately exceed 2019 levels, largely due to more efficient facility utilization. Ukraine’s exports to the EU will be lower in 2020 due to new quota limits and the H5N1 flu outbreak. Markets in the Middle East became Ukraine’ largest chicken meat consumer.
Ukraine introduced export caps for wheat at 17.5 million metric tons (MMT) and for rye at one thousand (MT) until the end of marketing year (MY)2020/21.
For more information, or for an archive of all FAS GAIN reports, please visit gain.fas.usda.gov/.
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Opportunities in Transportation
UAE
- The U.A.E. has stepped up measures to promote electric vehicles (EV’s) in order to reduce carbon footprint and is working on standardizing its regulations governing EV’s. Various government entities, like the Dubai Water and Electricity Authority (DEWA) and Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority (DSOA) have installed EV charging stations in the emirates and the trend is likely to increase in future.
- Tesla launched operations in the U.A.E. via an online platform and a store in Dubai Mall. This is to be followed by Tesla Service Centers in Dubai (in July 2017) and Abu Dhabi (early 2018).
- BMW, Renault and Toyota are also offering electric vehicles for sale in the UAE, and General Motors (GM) is reportedly considering launching its Bolt model in the country in Q4-18.
- U.S. manufacturers looking to do business in the region may find it worth noting that apart from EV’s, the U.A.E. government encourages autonomous vehicle technology, research and development into driverless vehicles and other smart, green and environment friendly technologies, such as, alternate fuel vehicles, including Hybrid and Hydrogen vehicles.
- Dubai moved a step closer during 2018 to become one of the most attractive markets for the introduction of technologies relating to the 'Internet of Things' (IoT). The emirate aims to meet its stated goal of autonomous vehicles accounting for 25% of all its transportation needs by 2030.
Poland
- Poland’s automotive industry is one of the most important manufacturing sectors in Poland, accounting for 11.1 % the total value of the country’s production, and is second only to the food industry.
- The Polish government adopted an Act on electromobility and alternative fuels and is waiting for final EU approval.
- Poland has a target of creating 6000 charging stations by the end of 2020 and support 1 million electric cars on Polish roads by 2025.
- In January 2020, the Polish government enacted regulations supporting the construction of e-car charging stations and allowed for subsidy payments of up to 30%, with a 18,750 PLN maximum limit, for the purchase of electric cars by companies.
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Weekly Summary of NLRB Decisions
The Summary of NLRB decisions for the week of August 17 - 21, 2020 is now available on the NLRB’s website. The summary can be accessed by clicking the links below.
https://www.nlrb.gov/cases-decisions/weekly-summaries-decisions/summary-of-nlrb-decisions-for-week-of-august-17-21-2020
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