FAS Daily Attache Report Digest
EU Agriculture
Commissioner-Designate sets out her views on the CAP
EU-25, September 22, 2004 -- The European
Commissioner-Designate for Agriculture, Mariann
Fischer Boel, has set out her views on the CAP. This
is her formal response to questionnaires from the
European Parliament that all the incoming
Commissioners must complete prior to hearings
between these two groups, part of the process for
investing the new College of Commissioners. Fischer
Boel placed the reform of the sugar sector has her
highest priority, followed by reform of the fruit
and vegetables regime. Wine policy may also be
reformed. She also stressed the key importance of
rural development.
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Market Situation
SLOVENIA, September 22, 2004 -- Livestock
production, especially cattle breeding, is the most
important sector for Slovenian agriculture. EU
accession is expected to benefit Slovenian beef and
small cattle producers. Their income situation will
improve, and production is expected to increase by
10-20 percent. Pork producers' incomes are likely to
drop. However, Slovenia will still source 70 percent
of its pork consumption with domestic supplies.
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Czech Authorities
Confirm 14th BSE CaseCZECH REPUBLIC,
September 22, 2004 -- On September 1, 2004, the
State Veterinary Administration (SVA) confirmed the
fourteenth case of BSE in the Czech Republic. The
concerned animal was an eight-year old cow, born on
May 1, 1996 on a cooperative farm in Hrejkovice in
Southern Bohemia. In the next months, 92 cows of
cohort will be destroyed and tested.
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Weekly Highlights and
Hot Bites, Issue #36MEXICO, September
22, 2004 -- · MEXICAN CITRUS PRODUCERS TO EXPORT TO
JAPAN IN 2005 · SMUCKERS EXPANDING MARKET PRESENCE
IN MEXICO · THE MEXICAN GOVERNMENT COULD AUTHORIZE
SUGAR IMPORTS UNDER A QUOTA FOR THE REST OF 2004 ·
SPECIALISTS URGE CREATING MECHANISMS TO REGULATE
TRANSGENICS · US AGRICULTURAL, FISH AND FORESTRY
PRODUCTS EXPORTS TO MEXICO ON PACE TO REACH 9.4
BILLION IN 2004 · BEEF FROM CENTRAL AMERICA ENTERING
MEXICO VIA THE UNITED STATES · FINANCE MINISTRY
FORESEES A SLOWDOWN IN THE U.S. ECONOMY · SECRETARY
USABIAGA INDICTED · MEXICO CHINA TO BOOST RECIPROCAL
CREDIT · JAPAN MEXICO TRADE ACCORD TO BE SIGNED THIS
WEEK
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Annual
EU-25, September 22, 2004 -- With the accession of
the 10 New Member States (NMS) in May 2004, the
poultry sector in both EU-15 and the NMS is expected
to undergo significant changes over the coming
years. The 2003 reform of the EU Common Agricultural
Policy (CAP) does not directly affect the poultry
sector, but could have some indirect impact through
structural changes in the feed sector, as well as
through the implementation of new environmental and
animal welfare standards. Production structures in
the NMS are fairly well developed, however technical
indicators such as feed conversion are typically
lower than in the EU-15. Chicken production in
Poland and the Czech Republic is growing very fast,
as exports to EU-15 countries increase.
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Annual
EU-25, September 22, 2004 -- In 2004 and 2005, big
changes are expected in the European Union. The
Enlargement, which brought ten new member states
into the EU, and the CAP reform, which will change
the support system for farmers, are likely to affect
the production of livestock in several ways. Since
2002, the EU-15 has been a net importer of beef.
This trend is expected to continue, as beef
production continues to decrease throughout the
EU-25. The CAP reform sets new rules for production.
With the reform, farmers are expected to produce
according to market demand, as farm support payments
become independent from production. The CAP reform
also promotes improving environmental, animal
welfare and food quality standards. For the ten new
member states, the subsidies system will be phased
in over a 10-year period.
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Annual
AUSTRALIA, September 22, 2004 -- Australia is a
prosperous, politically & economically stable,
industrialized nation. In 2003, per capita GDP was
$25,353, comparable to major industrialized western
countries. The Australian economy continues to enjoy
solid growth with low inflation. Australia's
consumer-oriented agricultural imports were valued
at around $2,300 million in 2003, of which the U.S.
supplied 10 percent. Agents/distributors are key
components in developing exports of U.S.
consumer-ready foods to Australia.
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Annual
AUSTRALIA, September 22, 2004 -- Attending the only
major food trade show in Australia, Fine Food, is
felt to be the best opportunity U.S. exporters have
of reaching most of the major players in this
market.
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Grain Update -
OctoberAUSTRALIA, September 22, 2004 --
Post forecasts Australia's 2004/05 wheat crop at
22.9 MMT, three percent below the previous forecast,
while barley production in 2004/05 is forecast at
7.3 MMT, unchanged. Recent weather conditions have
been largely favorable for winter grain. Although
crops are currently in mostly good condition, a
continuation of normal weather will be required for
further crop development.
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Semi-Annual
THAILAND, September 22, 2004 -- MY 2005 sugarcane
production is revised downward due to the delay of
rain during the growing period, the second
consecutive year for a reduction in sugar
production, to 6.5 million tons. Despite anticipated
strong sugar export demand, MY 2005 sugar exports
will likely continue the downward trend in response
to a limited sugarcane supply, which will be more of
a concern in CY 2006, when the sugarcane-based
ethanol production will start.
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Weekly Rice Price
UpdateTHAILAND, September 22, 2004 --
Export prices continued to decline due to stagnated
foreign demand and weak domestic trade, but prices
remained high.
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Annual
KOREA, REPUBLIC OF, September 22, 2004 -- Korea is
the fifth largest market for U.S. agricultural
products. Total Imports of agricultural products
were $13.4 billion in 2003 and are projected to
reach $14.4 billion in 2004. Total imports of
agricultural products from the U.S. will be about
$3.5 billion in 2004. This report serves as a
general guide to prospective U.S. agricultural
exporters seeking to enter the Korean market. It
provides a market overview, tips on how to do
business in Korea, and information on the market
structure and trends.
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