MALAYSIA, April 5, 2004 -- Malaysia's CPO production dropped by 1.6 percent to 862 TMT in February 2004. Carry-over levels at end of February also dropped to 988 TMT. PO exports rose to 940 TMT in February. Average local CPO price rose from US$504/MT in February to US$526/MT in March.

BOSNIA-HERCEGOVINA, April 5, 2004 -- The European Commission (EC) recently approved a feasibility study assessing the readiness of Bosnia and Herzegovina to begin negotiations for a Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) on the condition that BiH makes significant progress in 16 areas identified as priorities for action. The BiH needs to harmonize its veterinary and phytosanitary legislation to that of the EU before negotiations commence. BiH is making little progress in meeting the requirements, and it is unlikely that SAA negotiations will begin in 2004.

SLOVAKIA, April 5, 2004 -- In 2003, Slovak sugar factories processed 1.17 million MT of sugar beets. Although this volume was down by 172,000 MT compared to 2002, sugar production dropped by only 11,000 MT due to a high average sugar content of 16.5 %. Slovakia is a net sugar exporter. Major changes in the Slovak sugar industry are not expected with Slovakia's EU accession in May 2004.

INDONESIA, April 5, 2004 -- Updated on : March 29, 2004 Section Updated : Section VII. Other Specific Standard, Section IX. Import Procedures, and Appendices

SOUTH AFRICA, REPUBLIC OF, April 5, 2004 -- South Africa's 2003 corn crop currently maturing is estimated at 7.7 million tons, about 2 million tons less than the previous crop. The decrease is due mainly to a market related cutback in area planted. With a 2 million ton plus carry over from the current season, the crop should be able to supply domestic needs and allow about one million tons of white corn exports. Yellow corn is in short supply and imports are likely to reach 700,000 tons in My04/05. Wheat production is expected to increase this year but import demand will stay high.

POLAND, April 5, 2004 -- Favorable weather will stimulate almost a 40 percent increase in rapeseed production. Consequently, crushing, exports and stocks will rise. We estimate a record 1.5 MMT of soybean meal imported during MY03/04, however, imports are expected to be somewhat lower in MY 2004/05 due to swine inventory reductions. The majority of Poland's soybean meal imports are from the EU, however, roughly 40 percent of these imports may originate from U.S. soybeans processed in the EU. Meanwhile, soybean oil imports remain strong.

EUROPEAN UNION, April 5, 2004 -- The European Commission has approved five programs to promote wine, fruit, olive oil, cheese and organic products in the U.S., Canada, Japan, Switzerland, Russia, Brazil and China.

CANADA, April 5, 2004 -- Canada's main source of sugar (more than 90%) comes from imported raw sugar that is refined in Canada. The Canadian cane sugar refining industry is comprised of three cane sugar refineries. Sugar production in Canada is limited to the sugar refined from about 12,000 hectares of sugar beets in the province of Alberta.

NEW ZEALAND, April 5, 2004 -- Drought in December 2003, in New Zealand's main seed growing areas followed by untimely wet weather in January/February substantially lowered seed quality and crop yields

PHILIPPINES, April 5, 2004 -- Effective February 4, 2004, the Philippine Department of Agriculture's Bureau of Plant Industry has approved 17 genetically engineered agricultural Transformation Events (TEs) for direct use as food, feed or for processing, one of which is also approved for propagation in the Philippines.