MEXICO, April 13, 2004 -- For 2004/05, consumption and imports of oilseed products are all expected to continue to expand, due to strong demand powered by a recovering economy. At the same time, 2004/05 meal imports are projected to rise approximately 2 percent, due to the livestock industry's ongoing expansion. MY 2004/05 total oil imports are forecast at 579,000 MT, an increase by 8 percent from last year. Cottonseed production will recover slightly in 2003, after several years of decline; the outlook for 2004 is for a relatively sharply expansion, due to higher international prices and increased planted area.

SOUTH AFRICA, REPUBLIC OF, April 13, 2004 -- South African sugar production dropped from a record 2.9 million tons in 2002/03 to 2.6 million tons in 2003/04, mainly due to drought. Production in 2004/05 is forecast to drop even further to 2.3 million tons, again mainly due to a dry early summer. Exports are expected to exceed 1.2 million tons in 2004/05 compared to the 1.3 million tons exported in 2002/03.

EGYPT, April 13, 2004 -- Total area and production of beet sugar and sugar cane are expected to increase this year due to delivery price increases by the government. Total sugar imports in CY 2004 are expected to increase by about 9 percent over the 2003 level.

TUNISIA, April 13, 2004 -- Tunisia has a population of 10 million and enjoys one of the highest degrees of purchasing power in Africa. Consumption patterns are becoming more sophisticated and thus demand for high-value consumer-oriented food products is on the rise. A short list of best prospects has been highlighted to help U.S. exporters capture a greater market share or, for those new-to-market, to gain a foothold.

INDIA, April 13, 2004 -- *Rasi seeds receives nod for cultivation of Bt cotton*, *Grain export set to get subsidy booster*, *Mahyco working on GM rice and vegetables*, *Supreme Court moved for law on GM seeds import*.

BELGIUM-LUXEMBOURG, April 13, 2004 -- This report highlights developments and opportunities in the Belgian hotel and restaurant sector.

EU-15, April 13, 2004 -- Drought and a heat wave reduced EU-15 raw sugar output to 16.5 MMT in 2003/04. 2004/05 output is forecast at exactly the same level, with yield improvements offset by reduced area planted to sugarbeet. Low prices for C sugar beet and a difficult environment for exports have helped to keep area and hence production levels for 2004/05 down to this low level. In May, 10 countries join the EU. The first estimate of EU-25 production for 2004/05 is 19.6 MMT, of which 3.4 MMT is in the ten New Member States (NMS). This will raise predicted EU exports in 04/05 from 4.7 MMT to 5.23 MMT (raw sugar).