FAS
Weekly Attache Report Digest
May 03, 2003
Vietnam Animal/Plant
Inspection and Quarantine Regulation Update
VIETNAM, April 25, 2003 -- The
Government of Vietnam recently issued new regulations to
clarify the inspection and quarantine systems. Almost all
agricultural and aquatic goods must be inspected before they
enter or exit Vietnam. Additionally, selected products (e.g.,
livestock or live fish) are subject to quarantine periods and
additional tests. U.S. exporters should carefully review these
regulations with Vietnamese importers.
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Fresh and Frozen
Aquatic Product - DRAFT FOR COMMENTS
CHINA, PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF,
April 24, 2003 -- This is an UNOFFICIAL translation of the
People's Republic of China DRAFT Standard for Fresh and Frozen
Aquatic Product of Animal Origin (GB2733) and should be used
as a guide only. Exporters should carefully discuss
regulations and their application with Chinese importers to
ensure that their interpretation is accurate.
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Dried Aquatic
Products - DRAFT FOR COMMENTS
CHINA, PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF,
April 24, 2003 -- This is an UNOFFICIAL translation of the
People's Republic of China DRAFT Standard for Dried Aquatic
Product of Animal Origin (GB10144) and should be used as a
guide only. Exporters should carefully discuss regulations and
their application with Chinese importers to ensure that their
interpretation is accurate.
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This Report
Salted Fish - DRAFT
FOR COMMENTS
CHINA, PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF,
April 24, 2003 -- This is an UNOFFICIAL translation of the
People's Republic of China DRAFT Standard for Salted Fish
(GB10138) and should be used as a guide only. Exporters should
carefully discuss regulations and their application with
Chinese importers to ensure that their interpretation is
accurate.
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Salt or Liquor
Pickled Aquatic Products - DRAFT FOR COMMENTS
CHINA, PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF,
April 24, 2003 -- This is an UNOFFICIAL translation of the
People's Republic of China Standard for Salt or Liquor Pickled
Aquatic Products (GB10136) and should be used as a guide only.
Exporters should carefully discuss regulations and their
application with Chinese importers to ensure that their
interpretation is accurate.
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Marine Algae and
Algae Products - DRAFT FOR COMMENTS
CHINA, PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF,
April 24, 2003 -- This is an UNOFFICIAL translation of the
People's Republic of China DRAFT Standard for Marine Algae and
Algae Products (GBxxxx) and should be used as a guide only.
Exporters should carefully discuss regulations and their
application with Chinese importers to ensure that their
interpretation is accurate.
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Grain and Feed
Annual
UKRAINE, April 24, 2003 --
Grain and pulse production in Ukraine in 2003 is forecast to
decline to 32 MMT. This lower production will lead to a
decline in wheat and barley exports by 65 and 17 percent
respectively in MY 2003/2004 from the ever record exports
estimated for the current marketing year.
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Sugar Annual
ARGENTINA, April 24, 2003 --
Argentine sugar production for MY2004 is forecast at 1.65
million tons, similar to MY2003. Although the sector worked
efficiently to expand production, a significant drought in
Tucuman will offset the expected increase. Due to the 70
percent peso devaluation, both mills and farmers enjoyed
excellent returns in MY2003 and the same is expected for
MY2004. Exports are projected to drop as surpluses of sugar
will be tighter primarily due to a smaller carry-in from
MY2003 due to larger exports. Production is expected to grow
in the next 3-5 years as long as economic conditions do not
change significantly. A higher output would be absorbed
somewhat by larger domestic consumption as the country
recovers from the current deep recession. Exports could
increase, but the sector knows that the profitability is in
the domestic market. A larger concentration at the farm,
processing and marketing level is expected. Argentina could
also become an important exporter of sugar-content products.
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Dried Fruit Annual
TURKEY, April 24, 2003 --
Turkish raisin production is expected to increase in MY 2003
as long as weather conditions, which has been good to this
point, remain favorable. Exports are also expected to increase
in MY 2003 with Europe the main market.
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This Report
Sugar Annual
JAMAICA & DEP, April 24,
2003 -- Jamaica's sugar production is expected to decline to
170,000 metric tons during the 2002/2003, its lowest in 56
years. As production of raw sugar declines, Jamaica will
import increasing quantities of raw sugar to satisfy domestic
demands, while fulfilling export quotas with local production.
Domestic consumption of refined sugar will grow at the same
modest rate as production of carbonated beverages increase.
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Fresh and Frozen
Poultry Product Regulation
CHINA, PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF,
April 24, 2003 -- The following is an UNOFFICIAL translation
of the People's Republic of China Fresh and Frozen Product
Regulation (GB 1689-2002) and should be used as a guide only.
Exporters should carefully discuss regulations and their
application with Chinese importers to ensure that their
interpretation is accurate.
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This Report
Distilled Spirits -
DRAFT FOR COMMENTS
CHINA, PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF,
April 25, 2003 -- This is an UNOFFICIAL translation of the
People’s Republic of China DRAFT Standard for Distilled
Spirits (GB2757) and should be used as a guide only. Exporters
should carefully discuss regulations and their application
with Chinese importers to ensure that their interpretation is
accurate.
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This Report
Fermented Beverages
- DRAFT FOR COMMENTS
CHINA, PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF,
April 25, 2003 -- This is an UNOFFICIAL translation of the
People’s Republic of China DRAFT Standard for Femented
Beverages (GB2758) and should be used as a guide only.
Exporters should carefully discuss regulations and their
application with Chinese importers to ensure that their
interpretation is accurate.
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This Report
Carbonated Drinks -
DRAFT FOR COMMENTS
CHINA, PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF,
April 25, 2003 -- This is an UNOFFICIAL translation of the
People’s Republic of China DRAFT Standard for Carbonated
Beverages and should be used as a guide only. Exporters should
carefully discuss regulations and their application with
Chinese importers to ensure that their interpreation is
accurate.
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This Report
Weekly rice report:
Brussels April 22, 2003
EUROPEAN UNION, April 25, 2003
-- This weekly report contains data on rice prices in the
U.S., Thailand and the EU. It also lists current import duties
and export subsidies in the EU. All information will be
published as such in the weekly USDA publication "Rice
Market News".
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This Report
Weekly Rice Price
Update
THAILAND, April 25, 2003 --
Export prices changed slightly as market remained quiet.
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This Report
Sugar Update
SLOVAKIA, April 25, 2003 --
Slovakia's sugar beginning stocks are higher than prior USDA
estimates. Slovakia has no sugar refineries and, other than an
EU-mandated production quota of 207,432 MT (A+B), major
changes in the industry are not expected with Slovakia's EU
accession in May 2004.
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This Report
Weekly Highlights
& Hot Bites, Issue #22
MEXICO, April 25, 2003 --
SECRETARIAT OF THE ECONOMY PREPARES FOR U.S. COMMERCIAL
LEADERS*MEXICAN AVOCADO EXPORTS GROWING STRONG*RISE IN U.S.
YELLOW CORN PRICES* AGRICULTURAL PACT PROMISES TO HALT
MIGRATION TO THE U.S.*FOX ADMINISTRATION HAS COMMITTED TO
PROTECTIONIST MEASURES*UNITED NATIONS ON A MISSION TO REDUCE
AGRICULTURAL SUBSIDIES*A NEW START FOR THE RURAL
SECTOR*IMPASSE ON AGRICULTURAL TRADE NEGOTIATIONS*GREEN GROUPS
WORRY ABOUT FAST-TRACKING BIOSECURITY LEGISLATION*GOM
REITERATES THE RISKS INVOLVED IN RENEGOTIATING NAFTA*RENEGOTIATING
WOULD BE THE WORST*TAMAULIPAS FARMERS, WELL COMPENSATED*CORN
FARMERS DEMAND INCREASED SUPPORT*U.S. MULTINATIONALS
PRESUMABLY DOMINATE THE MEXICAN MARKET
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Modification to
Mexico's First Auction of U.S.Dry Edible Beans Announcement
MEXICO, April 25, 2003 -- On
April 21, 2003, Mexico’s Secretariat of Economy (SE)
announced a modification of the first auction of permits to
import U.S. dry edible beans under NAFTA tariff-rate quota (TRQ)
for CY 2003 (see MX 3049). The modification increases the
maximum amount per participant from 1,000,000 kilograms to
4,349,270 kilograms.
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Retail Food Sector
Report: St. Lucia
CARIBBEAN BASIN, April 28, 2003
-- St. Lucia imported approximately $80 million in total food
products with 65 percent destined for the retail sector. An
estimated 40 percent of these food products sold in the island
come from the United States. This report provides U.S.
exporters with information on how to successfully access the
St. Lucia retail market.
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This Report
HRI Food Service
Sector Report: St. Lucia
CARIBBEAN BASIN, April 28, 2003
-- St. Lucia imported approximately $80 million in total food
products with 35 percent destined for the food service sector.
An estimated 40 percent of these food products sold in the
island come from the United States.
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Grain and Feed
Annual
HUNGARY, April 28, 2003 -- The
2002 grain crop was not large but met domestic demand. Prices
remain low and estimates for both export demand and domestic
consumption are bearish. The European Union's Common
Agricultural Policy (CAP) will give a boost to the grain
sector following Hungary's accession in May 2003. Corn
producers in particular will see higher returns from EU
membership. After Hungary joins the EU, there will be less
domestic demand for compound feeds from the pork and poultry
sectors.
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This Report
Grain and Feed
Annual
NIGERIA, April 28, 2003 --
Nigeria's grain harvest in 2003/04 is forecast to increase by
4 percent in line previous years' growth trend. Growth in U.S.
wheat exports to Nigeria weakened in 2002/03 due to a
combination of sharply higher wheat prices and a marked
devaluation of the local currency. Corn imports are
constrained by GON actively discouraging importers to protect
local producers, even though the product is not banned.
Sorghum remains banned for imports.
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Retail Food Sector
Report
PERU, April 28, 2003 -- Peru's
total retail food market was $4.4 billion in 2001 and is
expected to grow 11 percent in the next three years.
Supermarket chains, the main destination of imported food
products, currently account for 17 percent of total sales but
is expected to reach 25 percent in 2004. Strong sales
prospects for U.S. food exporters include fresh fruits, pork
and chicken by-products, cheeses, wines and liquors,
pre-cooked food and pet food, targeted to high-income
consumers.
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This Report
Retail Food Sector
Report
ECUADOR, April 28, 2003 -- 2002
was a good year for Ecuador´s Retail Food Sector with
approximate annual growth of 3% and sales of nearly $1.6
billion. U.S. products are still well regarded in this market
with total consumer food imports of $210 million in 2002, and
where consumers are tending to shop more in Supermarkets than
just a few years ago. Dollarization has also contributed by
bringing stability to the economy, thus people are able to
spend more money in high-value- added foods.
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This Report
Sugar Annual
MOROCCO, April 28, 2003 --
Sugar production is expected to be up slightly because of the
large increase in the area planted to sugar beet and the
anticipated high sugar beet yields this year. Sugar continues
to be subsidized at the retail level and Morocco still imports
about half of its sugar consumption every year.
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The EU Challenges
Australia's Quarantine System
AUSTRALIA, April 28, 2003 -- On
March 31, 2003, the European Union announced that it has
requested Australia to enter into WTO formal consultations on
its quarantine system for imports of agricultural products. If
consultations are unsuccessful, the EU would be entitled to
ask for a WTO Panel to be set up to rule on the legality of
the Australian quarantine system. In particular, the EU has
noted delays in outstanding requests for access to the
Australian market for fresh pig meat, poultry meat, citrus
fruit and tomatoes.
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This Report
Sugar Annual
THAILAND, April 29, 2003 -- In
MY 2003, sugarcane production is forecast to reach 69.0 mmt,
leading to the continued increase in sugar output (raw value)
to 6.8 mmt. Sugar exports are expected to grow significantly
for the second consecutive year.
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This Report
Wheat Update
Correction
EGYPT, April 25, 2003 -- In
December 2002, The Food Industries Holding Company signed an
agreement with Syria to import 100,000 MT of Syrian durum
wheat in exchange for unspecified amount of Egyptian
commodities including rice and potatoes. We inadvertently
reported the Syrian wheat amounted as 200,000 MT in our
previous wheat update report (EG3007). The correct amount of
Syrian wheat in this barter arrangement is 100,000 MT.
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This Report
Tobacco and Products
Annual
ITALY, April 29, 2003 -- 2003
Italian tobacco leaf production is expected at 125,000 tons
(farm weight), or slightly lower than in 2002 and within
Italy's quota. Export levels should remain on the high side,
due to the strong world demand, especially for Flue cured and
Burley. The EU remains Italy's major customer (over 50%),
while Eastern Europe accounts for almost 15 percent, and the
U.S. for 6 percent of exports. Total imports rose by 33
percent, reflecting large arrivals from other EU countries, to
be partially processed and re-exported. Imports from the U.S.
recovered by 28 percent, but still much lower than in the
recent past, due to large stocks from the previous years, and
continued decline of domestic brand cigarette sales.
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Oilseeds and
Products Annual
PHILIPPINES, April 29, 2003 --
MY02/03 exports of copra and copra products will decline due
to tightness in copra supply but are but expected to recover
and increase in MY03/04 as copra production improves. A
slowdown of a major soybean crush facility in 2003 will cause
bean imports to decline during the year, and strong feed
demand through 2004 will translate into increased soybean meal
and fish meal imports during the period. Soybean oil imports
in 2003 are likely to grow slightly compared to the previous
year but will stay flat in 2004 as coconut oil production
increases. Soybean imports will likely recover and increase in
2004.
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Planting Seeds
Annual
DENMARK, April 30, 2003 --
Although Danish grass seed production dropped substantially in
2002, exports reached a record level of 81,190 tons. Ninety
percent of the production was exported and 84 percent went to
EU countries. 2003 production forecast to be a record of
93,000 tons.
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This Report
Weekly Highlights
& Hot Bites, #17
INDIA, April 30, 2003 -- *Bt
cotton raised farm incomes*, *Wheat exports to Egypt not
feasible*, *No grain exports if monsoon fails - AgMinister*,
*Snowman plans to expand cold storage network*, *Bangladesh:
Bangladesh may buy 100,000 tons of wheat from Pakistan*,
*Truckers strike disrupts food supplies, slows grain trade*,
*Government defers all-party meeting on grain*.
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This Report
This Week in
Canadian Agriculture, Issue 15
CANADA, April 30, 2003 -- More
Wheat and Canola, Less Barley Expected, Says Statistics Canada
* Chicken Production Lower; Imports from U.S. Higher * Canada
Closes Three Cod Stocks and Announces C$44 Million in Aid *
Port of Churchill to Get C$1 Million * Major Asian-Style Food
Retailer Expands * More on the Success of SIAL Montreal *
Prince Edward Island Signs APF * Canadian Biotech Advisory
Committee Third Annual Report * B.C. Government C$12-M
Partnership to Open up Chinese Housing Market
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This Report
Weekly Highlights
& Hot Bites, Issue #23 NAFTA Update Edition
MEXICO, April 30, 2003 -- FOX
ANNOUNCES NEW ENERGY ENDOWMENT*MEXICAN SENATE PREPARES
CONSULTATION AGENDA AND VISIT* PRESIDENT FOX CALLS FOR NAFTA
ASSESSMENT*WHAT FOX REALLY MEANT TO SAY*SENATE REQUESTS THAT
FOX CLARIFY MESSAGE ON NAFTA REVISIONS *SECRETARIAT OF THE
ECONOMY WARNS OF NAFTA RENEGOTIATIONS*CEESP CALLS FOR
“REAL” SUPPORT FOR THE RURAL COUNTRYSIDE*PORK FARMERS
CLAIM NAFTA DAMAGES*JAPANESE TEQUILA MAY SOON BECOME A
REALITY* FARMING GROUPS WANT MORE*MEXICAN SUGARCANE PRODUCERS
INDIFFERENT WITH U.S. BAN*MEXICAN FISHING INDUSTRY WANT TO
EXCLUDE TUNA FROM NAFTA*CREDIT FOR THE RURAL SECTOR IS VITAL
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This Report
Weekly Highlights
& Hot Bites, Issue #21 NAFTA Update Edition
MEXICO, April 30, 2003 --
Producers demand white corn and dry beans be excluded from
NAFTA. Canada rejects renegotiating NAFTA. GOM agrees to
renegotiate changes to NAFTA.
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Grain and Feed
Annual
ARGENTINA, May 1, 2003 --
Marketing year (MY) 2002/03 was exceptional for the Argentine
agricultural sector in general and for grain and oilseed
farmers in particular. The 70% devaluation of the peso
resulted in a tripling of income for commodity farmers with
only modest and lagging cost increases. However, the
transition to this prosperity was not completely smooth and
all did not benefit equally. The economic chaos of the early
months of 2002 led input producers to export their stocks to
the detriment of the 2002 wheat crop which yielded only 12.5
million tons. Corn and soybeans, on the other hand, planted
just two to three months later, experienced the double benefit
of adequate inputs and uncommonly good weather. Post expects
the yield of both corn and wheat in 2003/04 to return to more
normal levels on very similar acreage, resulting in production
of 15 and 14.5 million tons, respectively.
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Beans and Pulses
Monthly Trade Report
BURMA, May 1, 2003 -- In March,
2003, Burma exported 70,011 metric tons of beans and pulses,
down some 22 percent from same month last year. India took 87
percent of the exports.
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This Report
Oilseeds and
Products Annual
ECUADOR, May 1, 2003 -- Local
soybean production is insufficient to satisfy demand of
soybean meal and soy oil. Ecuador is a net importer of soybean
and soy oil. Consumption of soybean meal has increased at the
same pace as the production of poultry. The government of
Ecuador on August 2002 imposed a safeguard tariff of 29
percent against refined soy oil originating in the Andean
region.
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This Report
Oilseeds and
Products Update (April)
MALAYSIA, May 2, 2003 --
Malaysia's CPO production rose 29% in March, 2003. Carry-over
stock level dropped to 1.0 MMT. PO exports rose to 960 TMT in
March. The average local CPO price slipped further from
US$396/MT in March to US$384/MT in April.
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Weekly Rice Price
Update
THAILAND, May 2, 2003 --
Exports prices remained unchanged.
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This Report
Citrus Semi-Annual
SPAIN, May 2, 2003 -- Spain's
2002/03 citrus production is estimated at around 5.8 million
tons, up four percent from the previous season and six percent
up from MY 2000/01. Citrus exports for 2001/02 rose to 3.8
million tons, up 8 percent from MY 2000/01. According to trade
sources, Spain exported about 57,000 tons of clementines to
the U.S. in MY 2002/03.
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This Report
WTO: Fisheries
Subsidies - EU Tables Proposal for Subsidy Ban
EUROPEAN UNION, May 2, 2003 --
The EU tabled a proposal to the WTO to ban all subsidies which
increase fishing capacity and hence cause over-fishing.
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This Report
Weekly rice report:
Brussels April 29, 2003
EUROPEAN UNION, May 2, 2003 --
This weekly report contains data on rice prices in the U.S.,
Thailand and the EU. It also lists current import duties and
export subsidies in the EU. All information will be published
as such in the weekly USDA publication "Rice Market
News".
Read
This Report
Wine - EU Subsidies
EUROPEAN UNION, May 2, 2003 --
This report gives an overview of EU subsidy programs for wine.
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This Report
Fruit and Vegetables
- EU Subsidies
EUROPEAN UNION, May 2, 2003 --
This report gives an overview of EU subsidy programs for
fruits and vegetables.
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This Report
Citrus Semi-Annual
MEXICO, May 2, 2003 -- The
fresh orange production forecast for marketing year 2002/03
remains unchanged at 3.6 MMT. Since the orange crop is
expected to be down 200,000 MT from a year ago, with fresh
orange prices subsequently higher, the fresh concentrate
orange juice (FCOJ) industry is expected to reduce juice
production to 15,000 MT for MY 2003. Therefore, exports of
FCOJ will be lower and the U.S. FCOJ quota will likely not be
filled.
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This Report
Planting Seeds
Annual
ARGENTINA, May 2, 2003 --
Argentina's position on Genetically Modified (GM) planting
seeds is unclearly defined. No new material has been added to
the list of approved GM varieties since July 2001. Breeders
are encountering government resistance to the production of
non-approved corn hybrids for export to the U.S. Planting
seeds for grains and oilseeds production is expected to follow
the ups and downs of the crops' planted areas since they are
strongly affected by international prices and less so by local
consumption. However, pasture planting seeds used for grass
production for the domestically oriented cattle and dairy
industries have been affected by the fall of beef and dairy
products in the local economy.
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