PAKISTAN, May 11, 2004 -- No Pakistan's CY 2004 tobacco production is forecast to increase to 95,600 metric tons. Cigarette companies have started programs introducing sunflower and hybrid maize as alternative crops for tobacco. Most of tobacco trade is unrecorded. Cigarette production and consumption continue to rise despite government efforts to dissuade people from smoking. Imports of U.S. leaf tobacco expected to remain strong due to a demand of better quality cigarettes among Pakistan consumers.

HONG KONG, May 11, 2004 -- The Hong Kong Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced that it would resume processing of applications for poultry products from the United States, except Texas with immediate effect.

ZIMBABWE, May 11, 2004 -- Zimbabwe is expected to produce 4.1 million tons of sugar cane this year after 4.5 million tons were produced in the 2003/04 season. Sugar production is nonetheless expected to reach 525,000 tons compared to 508,000 tons in the previous season. Exports from the 2004/05 production is forecast at 155,000 tons compared to 126,000 tons in 2003/04. The US quota was not serviced in 2003/04. Zimbabwe's land reform program has now reached the sugar industry.

POLAND, May 11, 2004 -- Polish MY 2004/05 grain production is expected to rise 12 percent due to much improved weather conditions compared to MY 2003/04 weather related losses. MY 04/05 imports are expected to decline due to reduced swine production, stocks will be replenished, and exports will be negligible. Poland joined the EU on May 1, 2004. It is undergoing a policy transition period, but farmer incomes are generally expected to rise. Poland is now in an internal EU-25 market. It will implement EU consistent third-country grain trade policy including elimination of weed seed zero tolerance trade constraints.

EU-25, May 11, 2004 -- In view of the failure of the EU's Council of Agricultural Ministers to authorize the import of Syngenta's Bt11 sweet corn for food purposes on April 26, Commissioner David Bryne of the Directorate General of Health and Consumer Protection has said that the Commission will approve Bt11 in late May or June. Monsanto's Roundup Ready Corn (NK603) is next in line for approval for import for feed and food purposes. If Bt11 is authorized for marketing, this would be the first approval since 1998 when the EU's unofficial moratorium went into effect. Currently, there are over 30 biotech products waiting approval by the EU.