A Tropical Fruit Packing Facility in Hainan
CHINA, PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF, August 20, 2002 -- A tropical
fruit packing facility is being built in Hainan. When
completed, it will supply tropical fresh fruit to mainland
China.
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Grains and Oilseeds Update
BULGARIA, August 21, 2002 -- In MY02/03, Bulgaria expects
strong barley exports (350,000 MT) and wheat exports (850,000
MT). Barley production is expected to be record high and of
good quality. Production of wheat, corn and sunflower is
expected to be higher than in MY01/02 due to favorable weather
conditions. The GOB is working towards introduction of wheat
export subsidy and earlier establishment of a Grain
Intervention Agency, however, funds are not authorized yet.
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Tree Nuts Annual
SYRIA, August 16, 2002 -- Syrian pistachio production
continues to increase gradually. Legal imports of shelled
pistachios dropped 40 percent in 2000 and are estimated to
stay at the same level in 2001 and 2002. This drop is
compensated for by illegal imports through Lebanon. In-shell
pistachios are not permitted to be imported. Syria exports
significant quantities of "green" pistachios to
neighboring countries, but cannot compete in world markets
with cheaper pistachio exports from Iran, Turkey, and
Afghanistan.
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Tomatoes and Products Annual
JAPAN, August 15, 2002 -- The Japanese sales of U.S.
tomatoes declined approximately 30 percent to 1,048 metric
tons in 2001. The principle reason for the decline was Japan's
slow economy, according to Tokyo's traders. Both U.S. round
tomatoes and Roma tomatoes continue to be well received by
Japanese pizza chains, sandwich shops, hotels and restaurants.
Steady sales of U.S. tomatoes are expected in 2002, as clients
who continue to favor U.S. tomatoes over domestic ones.
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Result of 3rd SBS Tender for Feed Wheat and Barley
JAPAN, August 15, 2002 -- On July 31, the Food Agency (FA)
of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF)
conducted its third simultaneous buy and sell (SBS) tender for
feed wheat and barley during Japanese fiscal year 2002. The FA
contracted 10,120 metric tons of wheat and 160,000 metric tons
of barley. Although country of origin is not published, trade
sources indicate that 20,000 metric tons of barley and 5,000
metric tons wheat will be brought in from Ukraine.
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Furniture Industry
INDONESIA, August 16, 2002 -- The economic crisis has not
affected the Indonesian furniture industries, including wooden
floor and musical instruments manufactures, as ninety percent
of their production utilizing imported woods are for export
markets. The total direct import of U.S. wood products has
experienced around 28%-35% increase between 1996 to 2000 (up
to USD 48.1 million).The import of U.S. hardwood veneer for
export market had been double up to over USD 6 million in
1999-2000 compare to an average of USD 3.3 million between
1996-1998. An average of 2.65 million M2 (USD 13.3 million)
high quality of U.S. hardwood, Birds eye Maple, Cherry,
Walnut, Ash and softwood veneer has entered this market via
European countries (Germany), targeting only domestic market
(Java and Bali islands).
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August Rice Update
VIETNAM, August 16, 2002 -- This report provides
information on Vietnam's rice production and exports in the
first seven months of 2002. Some weather problems -- drought
in Coastal and Tay Nguyen (Central Highland) provinces and
seasonal floods in the Mekong River Delta -- are also
described. Due to previously signed contracts and surprisingly
tight supplies, Vietnam's rice exports in the remaining months
of 2002 will mostly go to fulfill Government to Government
(G-G) contracts. Post keeps estimates of Vietnam's 2002 rice
production and exports unchanged from previous report (July
2002 - VM2010).
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Food Business Line
JAPAN, August 16, 2002 -- A summary of current news reports
as translated from Japan's mass media and food press. This
issue includes: USDA Secretary Veneman's purchase of a
U.S.-produced beef and rice bento lunch box enroute to attend
the Quint Agricultural Meeting; Ryoshoku and Nichirei announce
plans for frozen food business consolidation; Mycal announces
additional store closings; AEON President notes success of US
cherry promotion campaign; Japan Chain Store Association
reports member-company sales rose slightly for first time in
43 months in June 2002 due to sales increase for at-home
dining during televised World Cup soccer matches; Japan Food
Service Association, in contrast, reports June sales down over
6 percent during World Cup; Ajinomoto Frozen Foods curtails
purchases of Chinese spinach due to food safety concerns; and
Japan's Health Ministry discloses the names of three
Chinese-manufactured diet aids suspected of causing health
damage.
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Weekly Rice Price Update
THAILAND, August 16, 2002 -- Weekly rice price and trade
update.
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Exporter Guide Annual
CROATIA, August 16, 2002 -- Croatia imports a significant
portion of its food consumption. The prospect of EU accession,
the growth in tourism, and continued economic reform could
make Croatia a good long-term importer of some U.S. food
products, including seafood, animal genetics, wine, and
consumer food products. Croatian imports of consumer food
items have almost doubled from $267 million in 1993 to $416
million in 2000. Croatian consumers are ‘anti-biotech' and
U.S. meat products may not currently be exported to Croatia
due to a lack of negotiated USDA/FSIS meat export
certificates.
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Weekly rice report, Brussels, August 13 , 2002
EUROPEAN UNION, August 16, 2002 -- This weekly report
contains data on rice prices in the U.S., Thailand and the EU.
It also lists current import duties and export subsidies in
the EU. All information will be published as such in the
weekly USDA publication "Rice Market News".
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Wheat Update
KAZAKHSTAN, REPUBLIC OF, August 19, 2002 -- Kazakhstan's MY
2002/03 wheat production and exports are forecast at 9.5
million metric tons (MMT) and 5.0 MMT, respectively. Iran,
Afghanistan and neighbouring CIS countries are expecting to
continue to be the major buyers.
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Grain Trade Data (Jul 2001 - Jun 2002)
KAZAKHSTAN, REPUBLIC OF, August 19, 2002 -- The following
tables contain official Kazakhstan wheat, wheat flour and
barley export data for MY 2001/2002
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Retail Food Sector Report
AZERBAIJAN, REPUBLIC OF, August 19, 2002 -- The size of the
Azeri retail food market is estimated to be as large as $1.5
to
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Tree Nuts Report
INDIA, August 19, 2002 -- MY 2000 walnut exports and almond
imports raised to 18,450 metric tons (inshell basis) and
24,440 metric tons (shelled basis), respectively.
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Egypt's Wheat Imports MY 2002/2003 Update
EGYPT, August 19, 2002 -- Egypt's wheat purchases since the
beginning of MY 2002/03 (July) are estimated at 885,000 MT.
Most of this quantity was purchased by the General authority
for Supply Commodities. All GASC purchases were non U. S
origin due to substantial price gap between U. S wheat and
other origins.
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Exporter Guide Annual
AZERBAIJAN, REPUBLIC OF, August 19, 2002 -- The Azerbaijan
market provides some opportunities for U.S. food and
agricultural exports in the retail and catering sectors.
Establishing a good relationship with an importer is key to
entering the market.
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Country Report
AZERBAIJAN, REPUBLIC OF, August 19, 2002 -- Azeri food
regulation and standards are regulated by slightly updated
standards of GOST (Government Standards of former Soviet
Union). Due to transformation of ministries and government
agencies the main organization which regulates food and
agricultural products - Azerdovletstandart (Azerbaijan
Government Standards) has been closed for 5 months, and is
supposed to be opened under a new name within a new ministry.
Currently food and agricultural product imports are regulated
by the State Veterinary Committee and State Plant Quarantine
Inspection within the Ministry of Agriculture.
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Solid Wood Products Annual
JAPAN, August 20, 2002 -- Japan housing starts continued to
drop, 5% in 2001, and are forecast to drop in 2002, another
5%. As Japan's economy has stagnated and unemployment has
reached a postwar high of 5.4%, consumer confidence has
declined significantly. In response, consumers have held back
on purchasing new homes. With housing representing 85% of the
wood market, sales are down. Notable exceptions included
increased imports of glulam (i.e., laminated wood ), which
increased 9.4%, and softwood imports from Europe, which
increased 4%, in 2001.
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Mexico Announces a Final Resolution on the Antidumping
Investigation
MEXICO, August 20, 2002 -- On August 12, 2002, the
Secretariat of Economy (SE) announced that it did find
evidence of damage to the Mexican apple industry from imports
of U.S. Red and Golden Delicious apples. As a result, SE
announced an imposition of final duties of 46.58 percent on
U.S. Red and Golden Delicious imported apples. This
compensatory duty is in addition to and independent of the
NAFTA safeguard duty on apples (H.S. 0808.10.01), which is 2
percent in-quota and 20 percent out-of-quota.
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An Overview of the Institutional Foodservice Market
CANADA, August 16, 2002 -- Opportunities in the Canadian
Institutional Foodservice Market are primarily in the
healthcare sub-segment: specifically retirement home
foodservice.
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Ontario Wheat Board Examines Proposal to Fully Open
Ontario Wheat Market
CANADA, August 20, 2002 -- Directors of the Ontario Wheat
Producers' Marketing Board (OWPMB) are circulating a proposal
that would place the entire Ontario wheat crop for sale on the
open market effective next summer. Under the proposal, the
board would become another buyer, bidding for grain with grain
companies. The board would market grain and run a pool for
farmers wanting to use it as their marketing agent, but it
would have no right to any share of the market. Industry
insiders say the Guelph-based wheat board likely will become a
vehicle for Ontario's smaller producers. However, without a
guaranteed supply, it could have difficulty maintaining sales
volumes to finance its marketing operations. The proposal,
which must be approved by the board's delegates and the
Ontario government, will be announced publicly August 27 at
the board's next annual meeting.
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This Week in Canadian Agriculture, Issue 28
CANADA, August 20, 2002 -- "What's New, Eh?" *
CWB Accused of Dumping Barley * 5 a Day Logo Granted Another
Extension * Cool, Wet Weather Slows Crop Development in
Saskatchewan * Canadian Cattlemen Hold Annual General Meeting
in Winnipeg * Opposition Criticizes Government's Response to
Drought and Hay Lift * GM Trace Level Approval Process Draft
Released in Canada * Ontario Wheat Board Examines Proposal to
Fully Open Ontario Wheat Market * Canadian Grain Commission
Announces Changes to Canada Grain Regulations * Alberta and
Manitoba Join Ontario in Margarine Row Against Quebec
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Planting Seeds Annual
JAPAN, August 21, 2002 -- Japanese seed imports in 2001
totaled $141,683,000 on a Japanese customs clearance basis, up
slightly from $139,715,000 the previous year. The U.S.
captured 31.6% on a dollar value basis, exporting $44,733,000
worth of seeds to Japan. The value of seed exports from Japan
decreased 12.3% from the previous year to $81,110,000 in 2001.
Despite consumer concerns about the safety of farm products
developed through the use of biotechnology and the stagnating
Japanese economy, the U.S. was still the dominant player, with
the share of Japanese seeds imports at 39% for vegetable
seeds, 99% for sweet corn seeds, 47% for forage crop seeds,
79% for pea/bean seeds and 34% for other miscellaneous crop
seeds, in 2001.
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Grain Harvest 2002
GERMANY, August 21, 2002 -- German grain crop is forecast
to reach only 45 million tons (compared to 49.7 million tons
in 2001) due to lower test weights and recent intensive rains.
Sprouting problems will be significant in wheat and rye,
however, a sufficient volume of wheat and barley will be
available for domestic and export markets. Prices are
currently trending upward for baking wheat but this may be
limited by sizable French crop.
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Country Report
EUROPEAN UNION, August 21, 2002 -- This report gives an
overview of EU food laws currently in force. Updated sections
include: labeling requirements, additives, pesticides, GM
foods, novel foods, beef labeling, wine, organic foods, and
import duties.
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Oilseeds and Products Update (August)
MALAYSIA, August 23, 2002 -- Malaysia's CPO production rose
12.6 percent to one MMT in July, 2002. Carry-over stock level
rose marginally to 942 TMT at the end of July. The average
local CPO price rose from US$355/MT in July to US$385/MT for
the first half of August.
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Tobacco and Products Annual
NETHERLANDS, August 19, 2002 -- Since 1998, Dutch imports
of tobacco have increased steadily over the years to nearly
92,000 MT in 2001. Due to the lower price and higher
availability, Brazilian tobacco is increasingly preferred
above tobacco produced in other countries. In 2001, Dutch
cigarette production declined by 2 percent to 120.4 billion.
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Harvest Update
UNITED KINGDOM, August 22, 2002 -- Following the release of
England's June Census data, post has revised its crop areas
such that the 2002 UK wheat harvest is now forecast at 16.55
MMT and that for barley at 6.2 MMT. The less than favorable
weather in recent weeks sparked initial concern among growers
and traders alike. However, the wheat crop is generally
described as having stood up well and strong export hopes
remain. Early indications are that the barley quality is more
mixed.
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Mexico Initiates a Global Safeguard Investigation
Against Plywood Imports
MEXICO, August 22, 2002 -- The Mexican government announced
the initiation of a global safeguard investigation against all
plywood imports; this is in response to a petition filed by
the Mexican National Association of Plywood (ANAFATA).
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Weekly Highlights & Hot Bites, Issue #26
MEXICO, August 22, 2002 -- Expohotel U.S. Pavilion Show
Results*Mexico Announces a Final Resolution on the Antidumping
Investigation on U.S. Apples*Verification-Inspection Points
Ready in Nuevo Laredo & Colombia*Mexico's Pork Producers'
Organizations Planning Honeymoon*Have Another Cup of
Coffee*Mexican Sugar Chamber Turns its Vengeance on U.S.
Policy*Mexican Farmers Oppose Cargill's Purchase of Grain
Facility
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Tree Nuts Annual
INDIA, August 22, 2002 -- Indian walnut production in
2002/03 is forecast to increase to 32,000 tons (in-shell) due
to favorable early-season weather and trees' alternating
bearing pattern. Exports are forecast higher at 17,000 tons on
improved supplies. India's almond imports in 2002/03 forecast
higher at 27,000 tons (kernel weight), most of it of US
origin. Consumption will grow to 27,500 tons on expected low
prices due to a record US crop.
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Weekly Rice Price Update
THAILAND, August 23, 2002 -- Weekly rice price and trade
update.
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Japan Steps up Enforcement on Pesticide MRLs
JAPAN, August 20, 2002 -- Concerns about chemical residues,
especially on produce from China, have led to increased
testing. Problems have been found in frozen vegetables as well
as fresh produce. Most of the violations have been in produce
from China, but there have been problems with other suppliers,
including Thailand and the United States. The Japanese
government is in the process of setting MRL for additional
agricultural chemical which are used in other countries, but
not currently used in Japan, and implementing legislation that
gives the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW) new
authority to suspend imports from suppliers who have had
repeated violations.
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Weekly rice report, Brussels, August 20 , 2002
EUROPEAN UNION, August 23, 2002 -- This weekly report
contains data on rice prices in the U.S., Thailand and the EU.
It also lists current import duties and export subsidies in
the EU. All information will be published as such in the
weekly USDA publication "Rice Market News".
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Country Report
ARGENTINA, August 23, 2002 -- This report provides
information on regulations and standards for importing U.S.
food and beverages into Argentina. In general, Argentina is an
import-friendly country with regulations which are
consistently applied, and with which most export-ready
suppliers find it easy to comply.
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Fresh Fruits & Vegetables - Update
KOREA, REPUBLIC OF, August 21, 2002 -- Korean imports of
U.S. fresh fruits and vegetables are expected to reach another
record in 2002, after surpassing $84 million in 2001. Most of
the U.S. sales in this category are U.S. oranges, but other
fruits such as grapes, grapefruit, cherries, and lemons are
also of interest. The Korea market for these products looks
even more promising in the future, as consumers demand a wider
variety of fruits in their diet, and increasingly can afford
them. Avocados, onions, and asparagus comprise most of the
U.S. export value of fresh vegetables to Korea. While the U.S.
export volume is currently relatively small, the increase in
family category restaurants is helping to drive demand for a
wider variety of fresh vegetables available in the
marketplace. This report contains basic information about the
Korean market for these products, as well as the list of fresh
fruits and vegetable enterable into Korea.
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Weekly Rice Price Update
THAILAND, August 21, 2002 -- Weekly rice price and trade
update.
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New Food Safety and GMO Labeling Requirements
RUSSIAN FEDERATION, August 21, 2002 -- New food safety
regulations for the Russian Federation will enter into force
on September 1, 2002. Although some changes are minor and
others are progressive, worrisome is the new requirement for
mandatory labeling of some types of GMO products.
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Fruit Exports
SOUTH AFRICA, REPUBLIC OF, August 21, 2002 -- Deregulation
and a competitive exchange rate appear to be helping South
Africa's fruit industry. Fruit exports in 2002 are estimated
at 1.7 million tons, a 6% increase from last year, and 50
percent jump in volume since the deregulation of the fruit
market in 1997. The biggest export category was citrus at
950,000 MT, followed by deciduous fruit at 650,000 MT, and
100,000 MT for subtropical and other fruits.
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Mad Cow Disease - Update
ITALY, August 22, 2002 -- No summary available.
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Promotion Opportunities Annual
ITALY, August 23, 2002 -- Report contains updated
information of FAS Rome, Italy's promotional and marketing
activities for 2002-2004.
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