PAKISSAN.com; FAS Daily Attache Report Digest

TURKEY, November 4, 2004 -- Within the Turkish Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Affairs (MARA), the General Directorate of Protection and Control is the competent authority that performs official food control in accordance with Turkish Food Law. In May 2004 Turkey published a new food law that is ultimately the framework for harmonizing Turkish food law with the EU. In a significant change, this decree transfers some regulatory responsibility from the Ministry of Health to MARA. This decree also establishes a multi-agency National Food Codex Commission that will review and authorize any revisions to the Turkish Food Codex. The establishment of this commission is expected to take several months and is likely to further delay the harmonization process as well as any other pending changes to the Turkish Food Codex.

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ARGENTINA, November 4, 2004 -- As the country with the largest Jewish community in Latin America, Argentina offers good opportunities for imported kosher foods and beverages. After the devaluation of 2002, several local companies began manufacturing kosher products to supply export markets, taking advantage of market competitiveness. However, as the economy continues to recover, there is an increased demand for certain high-value kosher foods and food ingredients, which are not produced domestically.

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PAKISTAN, November 4, 2004 -- Pakistan's food sector is changing significantly and retail sale of processed foods is growing. Demand for imported food is growing, particularly among educated, middle and upper income urban consumers.

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Annual

JAPAN, November 4, 2004 -- Japan's salmon imports are expected to grow in 2005, supported by solid consumption, while 2004 imports are projected to rise by 6% to 230,000 MT due to stronger demand late in the year and smaller domestic supplies. Salmon exports from Japan are expected to drop 15% in 2004. Japanese salmon egg and roe consumption and imports are expected to ease slightly in 2005. Imports of U.S. eggs and roe are projected to increase in 2004. Despite high prices, imports of U.S. surimi are expected to remain relatively strong in 2004 due to strengthened demand in the value segment of the Japanese market, and smaller supplies of Asian surimi. Consumption of Pollock and cod roe is expected to strengthen late in 2004, benefiting Alaskan suppliers.

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Annual

JORDAN, November 4, 2004 -- Drought has affected the output of Jordan's 2003/2004 grain production. Total loss in field crops is estimated at $18 million. Wheat imports during this period totaled 554,000 metric tons, of which 42 percent came from the United States. The PL 480 Title I program under USDA facilitated the shipment of 135,000 metric tons of wheat. Jordan's corn imports totaled 450,000 metric tons, of which 71 percent came from the United States. Rice imports were 125,000 metric tons, of which 18 percent came from the United States.

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TURKEY, November 4, 2004 -- Except for grapefruit, Turkish citrus production in MY 2004 was not affected by a frost in early April. Most of the citrus areas were not affected by the frost and higher yields in non affected areas offset any frost-related reductions. Orange and tangerine production is projected slightly higher while lemon and grapefruit production is lower than MY 2003. Turkish citrus tree numbers continue to grow. Turkey exports a good portion of its citrus production, even though lower quantities of oranges, lemons, and tangerines were exported in MY 2003. Russia, Saudi Arabia, Romania, and Ukraine were the primary destinations for Turkey's fresh citrus exports. Turkey processes only a small proportion of its citrus production for juice.

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Biotechnology in Food and Agriculture

NORWAY, November 4, 2004 -- Current and developing Norwegian legislation and regulations concerning bioengineered food and feed products coupled with negative public sentiment and a generally protecionist environment make their sale in Norway a dim near-term prospect.

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Annual

MOROCCO, November 4, 2004 -- Morocco's citrus production is expected to increase moderately this year due to alternate bearing. The largest citrus producing area in Morocco in the south (Souss) is threatened by locust invasion and the government is devoting considerable resources to locusts control. FRUMAT, the sole citrus concentrate producer in Morocco is about to close down

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Annual

MOROCCO, November 4, 2004 -- Morocco's squid and cuttlefish catches will be again significantly low for the second consecutive year. The drop has been attributed to low level of fish stocks combined with drastic government measures to limit the catches and preserve the fish resources. As a result, exports of squid are expected to be significantly lower in 2004 especially because cephalopod stocks carried by exporters are minimal at this time.

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Annual

NETHERLANDS, November 4, 2004 -- This year, Dutch production of potatoes is back to the level of 2002 and prices are estimated to be lower. Since output of frozen processed products will be unchanged, the import of potatoes is estimated lower. The industry's focus will remain on the European market. Export markets outside the EU are increasing slowly.

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Exporter Guide

ESTONIA, November 4, 2004 -- Estonia joined the EU on May 1, 2004. The accession affects on U.S. exports will be mixed since EU wide distribution systems will facilitate US imports to the small Estonian market of 1.3 million population, but for some commodities, the implementation of restrictive EU trade regimes may reduce sales and halt exports, ex. poultry. The Estonian food retail market holds considerable potential for a wide range of competitively priced packaged goods targeted at high/middle income groups. The inflow and fast development of large Nordic/European retail chains into Estonia along with other Baltic countries offer new opportunities for American exporters who can successfully connect with them.

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