ISRAEL, August 6, 2004 -- The retail food market in Israel is valued at $8.2 billion for the year 2003. However, today nearly 45 percent of all grocery stores and mini-markets are on the verge of economic failure.

BURMA, August 6, 2004 -- Burma's beans and pulses production is forecast to reach 2.9 million metric tons in CY2004 with an exportable surplus of 900,000 metric tons. The high cost of inputs will remain a major impediment to improved yields.

ISRAEL, August 6, 2004 -- The following sections have been updated: - Import Procedure - Import of Gelatin Made of Bovine or Other Products Containing Gelatin - Annex 1 - Annex 2, 3 and Table 1 (new)

POLAND, August 6, 2004 -- This report outlines the requirements for food and agricultural imports into Poland. The report aims to assist U.S. exporters with labeling, packaging and permitted ingredient list and other relevant information. It also provides contact information for Polish government and inspection services which oversee and control import process. Major revisions to previous reports include reference to EU regulations, which became effective in Poland after the May 2004 accession into the EU. Sections updated include: Food laws, Labeling Requirements, Packaging/container, Food additives, Pesticides, Other, Standards regulations, Trade laws and Import procedures.

UKRAINE, August 6, 2004 -- Ukrainian Market for food ingredients is expanding rapidly, but US suppliers are likely to face strong competition from EU-25 countries. Steadily growing incomes of Ukrainian population of 47 million sparkled a boom in the domestic food industry, which is trying to satisfy domestic demand for innovative and high value added products. The majority of Ukrainian buyers prefer locally produced products, but this preference does not much affect the market for inputs.

HUNGARY, August 6, 2004 -- On May 1, 2004, Hungary became a member of the European Union (EU), and all EU food rules, regulations, and laws apply. This report provides information on the laws and regulations for food, food import rules, and contact information in Hungary.

MEXICO, August 6, 2004 -- *MEXICAN CONGRESS ASKS FOR INVESTIGATION OF WAL-MART FOR MONOPOLISTIC PRACTICES *MEXICAN EXPORTERS TO COMPLY WITH FIRST FDA REQUIREMENTS *SUGAR SUPPLY/DEMAND CONFLICT PERSISTS *INDUSTRY NEGOTIATIONS ON SUGAR SUSPENDED *CITRUS PRODUCERS IN YUCATAN RECEIVE GOVERNMENT SUPPORT *YUCATAN'S PORK PRODUCERS COMPLAIN AGAINST U.S. IMPORTS *PRIVATE ANALYSTS FORESEE SMALLER ECONOMIC GROWTH THAN THE CENTRAL BANK *WTO AGREES TO REDUCE AGRICULTURAL SUBSIDIES *CANCUN TOURISM BOOMING

MEXICO, August 6, 2004 -- Mexico imported over $500 million in fresh fruits and vegetables in 2003, of which the US had a 74 percent market share, or $380 million. The implementation of NAFTA has helped increase exports of fruits and vegetables almost 81 percent in the past ten years. Though the US is facing increasing competition to Mexico from domestic and South American producers, the market still provides excellent opportunities for US products.