FAS Weekly Attache Report Digest
May 03, 2003

VIETNAM, April 25, 2003 -- The Government of Vietnam recently issued new regulations to clarify the inspection and quarantine systems. Almost all agricultural and aquatic goods must be inspected before they enter or exit Vietnam. Additionally, selected products (e.g., livestock or live fish) are subject to quarantine periods and additional tests. U.S. exporters should carefully review these regulations with Vietnamese importers.

CHINA, PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF, April 24, 2003 -- This is an UNOFFICIAL translation of the People's Republic of China DRAFT Standard for Fresh and Frozen Aquatic Product of Animal Origin (GB2733) and should be used as a guide only. Exporters should carefully discuss regulations and their application with Chinese importers to ensure that their interpretation is accurate.

CHINA, PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF, April 24, 2003 -- This is an UNOFFICIAL translation of the People's Republic of China DRAFT Standard for Dried Aquatic Product of Animal Origin (GB10144) and should be used as a guide only. Exporters should carefully discuss regulations and their application with Chinese importers to ensure that their interpretation is accurate.

CHINA, PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF, April 24, 2003 -- This is an UNOFFICIAL translation of the People's Republic of China DRAFT Standard for Salted Fish (GB10138) and should be used as a guide only. Exporters should carefully discuss regulations and their application with Chinese importers to ensure that their interpretation is accurate.

CHINA, PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF, April 24, 2003 -- This is an UNOFFICIAL translation of the People's Republic of China Standard for Salt or Liquor Pickled Aquatic Products (GB10136) and should be used as a guide only. Exporters should carefully discuss regulations and their application with Chinese importers to ensure that their interpretation is accurate.

CHINA, PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF, April 24, 2003 -- This is an UNOFFICIAL translation of the People's Republic of China DRAFT Standard for Marine Algae and Algae Products (GBxxxx) and should be used as a guide only. Exporters should carefully discuss regulations and their application with Chinese importers to ensure that their interpretation is accurate.

UKRAINE, April 24, 2003 -- Grain and pulse production in Ukraine in 2003 is forecast to decline to 32 MMT. This lower production will lead to a decline in wheat and barley exports by 65 and 17 percent respectively in MY 2003/2004 from the ever record exports estimated for the current marketing year.

ARGENTINA, April 24, 2003 -- Argentine sugar production for MY2004 is forecast at 1.65 million tons, similar to MY2003. Although the sector worked efficiently to expand production, a significant drought in Tucuman will offset the expected increase. Due to the 70 percent peso devaluation, both mills and farmers enjoyed excellent returns in MY2003 and the same is expected for MY2004. Exports are projected to drop as surpluses of sugar will be tighter primarily due to a smaller carry-in from MY2003 due to larger exports. Production is expected to grow in the next 3-5 years as long as economic conditions do not change significantly. A higher output would be absorbed somewhat by larger domestic consumption as the country recovers from the current deep recession. Exports could increase, but the sector knows that the profitability is in the domestic market. A larger concentration at the farm, processing and marketing level is expected. Argentina could also become an important exporter of sugar-content products.

TURKEY, April 24, 2003 -- Turkish raisin production is expected to increase in MY 2003 as long as weather conditions, which has been good to this point, remain favorable. Exports are also expected to increase in MY 2003 with Europe the main market.

JAMAICA & DEP, April 24, 2003 -- Jamaica's sugar production is expected to decline to 170,000 metric tons during the 2002/2003, its lowest in 56 years. As production of raw sugar declines, Jamaica will import increasing quantities of raw sugar to satisfy domestic demands, while fulfilling export quotas with local production. Domestic consumption of refined sugar will grow at the same modest rate as production of carbonated beverages increase.

CHINA, PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF, April 24, 2003 -- The following is an UNOFFICIAL translation of the People's Republic of China Fresh and Frozen Product Regulation (GB 1689-2002) and should be used as a guide only. Exporters should carefully discuss regulations and their application with Chinese importers to ensure that their interpretation is accurate.

CHINA, PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF, April 25, 2003 -- This is an UNOFFICIAL translation of the People’s Republic of China DRAFT Standard for Distilled Spirits (GB2757) and should be used as a guide only. Exporters should carefully discuss regulations and their application with Chinese importers to ensure that their interpretation is accurate.

CHINA, PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF, April 25, 2003 -- This is an UNOFFICIAL translation of the People’s Republic of China DRAFT Standard for Femented Beverages (GB2758) and should be used as a guide only. Exporters should carefully discuss regulations and their application with Chinese importers to ensure that their interpretation is accurate.

CHINA, PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF, April 25, 2003 -- This is an UNOFFICIAL translation of the People’s Republic of China DRAFT Standard for Carbonated Beverages and should be used as a guide only. Exporters should carefully discuss regulations and their application with Chinese importers to ensure that their interpreation is accurate.

EUROPEAN UNION, April 25, 2003 -- 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".

THAILAND, April 25, 2003 -- Export prices changed slightly as market remained quiet.

SLOVAKIA, April 25, 2003 -- Slovakia's sugar beginning stocks are higher than prior USDA estimates. Slovakia has no sugar refineries and, other than an EU-mandated production quota of 207,432 MT (A+B), major changes in the industry are not expected with Slovakia's EU accession in May 2004.

MEXICO, April 25, 2003 -- SECRETARIAT OF THE ECONOMY PREPARES FOR U.S. COMMERCIAL LEADERS*MEXICAN AVOCADO EXPORTS GROWING STRONG*RISE IN U.S. YELLOW CORN PRICES* AGRICULTURAL PACT PROMISES TO HALT MIGRATION TO THE U.S.*FOX ADMINISTRATION HAS COMMITTED TO PROTECTIONIST MEASURES*UNITED NATIONS ON A MISSION TO REDUCE AGRICULTURAL SUBSIDIES*A NEW START FOR THE RURAL SECTOR*IMPASSE ON AGRICULTURAL TRADE NEGOTIATIONS*GREEN GROUPS WORRY ABOUT FAST-TRACKING BIOSECURITY LEGISLATION*GOM REITERATES THE RISKS INVOLVED IN RENEGOTIATING NAFTA*RENEGOTIATING WOULD BE THE WORST*TAMAULIPAS FARMERS, WELL COMPENSATED*CORN FARMERS DEMAND INCREASED SUPPORT*U.S. MULTINATIONALS PRESUMABLY DOMINATE THE MEXICAN MARKET

MEXICO, April 25, 2003 -- On April 21, 2003, Mexico’s Secretariat of Economy (SE) announced a modification of the first auction of permits to import U.S. dry edible beans under NAFTA tariff-rate quota (TRQ) for CY 2003 (see MX 3049). The modification increases the maximum amount per participant from 1,000,000 kilograms to 4,349,270 kilograms.

CARIBBEAN BASIN, April 28, 2003 -- St. Lucia imported approximately $80 million in total food products with 65 percent destined for the retail sector. An estimated 40 percent of these food products sold in the island come from the United States. This report provides U.S. exporters with information on how to successfully access the St. Lucia retail market.

CARIBBEAN BASIN, April 28, 2003 -- St. Lucia imported approximately $80 million in total food products with 35 percent destined for the food service sector. An estimated 40 percent of these food products sold in the island come from the United States.

HUNGARY, April 28, 2003 -- The 2002 grain crop was not large but met domestic demand. Prices remain low and estimates for both export demand and domestic consumption are bearish. The European Union's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) will give a boost to the grain sector following Hungary's accession in May 2003. Corn producers in particular will see higher returns from EU membership. After Hungary joins the EU, there will be less domestic demand for compound feeds from the pork and poultry sectors.

NIGERIA, April 28, 2003 -- Nigeria's grain harvest in 2003/04 is forecast to increase by 4 percent in line previous years' growth trend. Growth in U.S. wheat exports to Nigeria weakened in 2002/03 due to a combination of sharply higher wheat prices and a marked devaluation of the local currency. Corn imports are constrained by GON actively discouraging importers to protect local producers, even though the product is not banned. Sorghum remains banned for imports.

PERU, April 28, 2003 -- Peru's total retail food market was $4.4 billion in 2001 and is expected to grow 11 percent in the next three years. Supermarket chains, the main destination of imported food products, currently account for 17 percent of total sales but is expected to reach 25 percent in 2004. Strong sales prospects for U.S. food exporters include fresh fruits, pork and chicken by-products, cheeses, wines and liquors, pre-cooked food and pet food, targeted to high-income consumers.

ECUADOR, April 28, 2003 -- 2002 was a good year for Ecuador´s Retail Food Sector with approximate annual growth of 3% and sales of nearly $1.6 billion. U.S. products are still well regarded in this market with total consumer food imports of $210 million in 2002, and where consumers are tending to shop more in Supermarkets than just a few years ago. Dollarization has also contributed by bringing stability to the economy, thus people are able to spend more money in high-value- added foods.

MOROCCO, April 28, 2003 -- Sugar production is expected to be up slightly because of the large increase in the area planted to sugar beet and the anticipated high sugar beet yields this year. Sugar continues to be subsidized at the retail level and Morocco still imports about half of its sugar consumption every year.

AUSTRALIA, April 28, 2003 -- On March 31, 2003, the European Union announced that it has requested Australia to enter into WTO formal consultations on its quarantine system for imports of agricultural products. If consultations are unsuccessful, the EU would be entitled to ask for a WTO Panel to be set up to rule on the legality of the Australian quarantine system. In particular, the EU has noted delays in outstanding requests for access to the Australian market for fresh pig meat, poultry meat, citrus fruit and tomatoes.

THAILAND, April 29, 2003 -- In MY 2003, sugarcane production is forecast to reach 69.0 mmt, leading to the continued increase in sugar output (raw value) to 6.8 mmt. Sugar exports are expected to grow significantly for the second consecutive year.

EGYPT, April 25, 2003 -- In December 2002, The Food Industries Holding Company signed an agreement with Syria to import 100,000 MT of Syrian durum wheat in exchange for unspecified amount of Egyptian commodities including rice and potatoes. We inadvertently reported the Syrian wheat amounted as 200,000 MT in our previous wheat update report (EG3007). The correct amount of Syrian wheat in this barter arrangement is 100,000 MT.

ITALY, April 29, 2003 -- 2003 Italian tobacco leaf production is expected at 125,000 tons (farm weight), or slightly lower than in 2002 and within Italy's quota. Export levels should remain on the high side, due to the strong world demand, especially for Flue cured and Burley. The EU remains Italy's major customer (over 50%), while Eastern Europe accounts for almost 15 percent, and the U.S. for 6 percent of exports. Total imports rose by 33 percent, reflecting large arrivals from other EU countries, to be partially processed and re-exported. Imports from the U.S. recovered by 28 percent, but still much lower than in the recent past, due to large stocks from the previous years, and continued decline of domestic brand cigarette sales.

PHILIPPINES, April 29, 2003 -- MY02/03 exports of copra and copra products will decline due to tightness in copra supply but are but expected to recover and increase in MY03/04 as copra production improves. A slowdown of a major soybean crush facility in 2003 will cause bean imports to decline during the year, and strong feed demand through 2004 will translate into increased soybean meal and fish meal imports during the period. Soybean oil imports in 2003 are likely to grow slightly compared to the previous year but will stay flat in 2004 as coconut oil production increases. Soybean imports will likely recover and increase in 2004.

DENMARK, April 30, 2003 -- Although Danish grass seed production dropped substantially in 2002, exports reached a record level of 81,190 tons. Ninety percent of the production was exported and 84 percent went to EU countries. 2003 production forecast to be a record of 93,000 tons.

INDIA, April 30, 2003 -- *Bt cotton raised farm incomes*, *Wheat exports to Egypt not feasible*, *No grain exports if monsoon fails - AgMinister*, *Snowman plans to expand cold storage network*, *Bangladesh: Bangladesh may buy 100,000 tons of wheat from Pakistan*, *Truckers strike disrupts food supplies, slows grain trade*, *Government defers all-party meeting on grain*.

CANADA, April 30, 2003 -- More Wheat and Canola, Less Barley Expected, Says Statistics Canada * Chicken Production Lower; Imports from U.S. Higher * Canada Closes Three Cod Stocks and Announces C$44 Million in Aid * Port of Churchill to Get C$1 Million * Major Asian-Style Food Retailer Expands * More on the Success of SIAL Montreal * Prince Edward Island Signs APF * Canadian Biotech Advisory Committee Third Annual Report * B.C. Government C$12-M Partnership to Open up Chinese Housing Market

MEXICO, April 30, 2003 -- FOX ANNOUNCES NEW ENERGY ENDOWMENT*MEXICAN SENATE PREPARES CONSULTATION AGENDA AND VISIT* PRESIDENT FOX CALLS FOR NAFTA ASSESSMENT*WHAT FOX REALLY MEANT TO SAY*SENATE REQUESTS THAT FOX CLARIFY MESSAGE ON NAFTA REVISIONS *SECRETARIAT OF THE ECONOMY WARNS OF NAFTA RENEGOTIATIONS*CEESP CALLS FOR “REAL” SUPPORT FOR THE RURAL COUNTRYSIDE*PORK FARMERS CLAIM NAFTA DAMAGES*JAPANESE TEQUILA MAY SOON BECOME A REALITY* FARMING GROUPS WANT MORE*MEXICAN SUGARCANE PRODUCERS INDIFFERENT WITH U.S. BAN*MEXICAN FISHING INDUSTRY WANT TO EXCLUDE TUNA FROM NAFTA*CREDIT FOR THE RURAL SECTOR IS VITAL

MEXICO, April 30, 2003 -- Producers demand white corn and dry beans be excluded from NAFTA. Canada rejects renegotiating NAFTA. GOM agrees to renegotiate changes to NAFTA.

ARGENTINA, May 1, 2003 -- Marketing year (MY) 2002/03 was exceptional for the Argentine agricultural sector in general and for grain and oilseed farmers in particular. The 70% devaluation of the peso resulted in a tripling of income for commodity farmers with only modest and lagging cost increases. However, the transition to this prosperity was not completely smooth and all did not benefit equally. The economic chaos of the early months of 2002 led input producers to export their stocks to the detriment of the 2002 wheat crop which yielded only 12.5 million tons. Corn and soybeans, on the other hand, planted just two to three months later, experienced the double benefit of adequate inputs and uncommonly good weather. Post expects the yield of both corn and wheat in 2003/04 to return to more normal levels on very similar acreage, resulting in production of 15 and 14.5 million tons, respectively.

BURMA, May 1, 2003 -- In March, 2003, Burma exported 70,011 metric tons of beans and pulses, down some 22 percent from same month last year. India took 87 percent of the exports.

ECUADOR, May 1, 2003 -- Local soybean production is insufficient to satisfy demand of soybean meal and soy oil. Ecuador is a net importer of soybean and soy oil. Consumption of soybean meal has increased at the same pace as the production of poultry. The government of Ecuador on August 2002 imposed a safeguard tariff of 29 percent against refined soy oil originating in the Andean region.

MALAYSIA, May 2, 2003 -- Malaysia's CPO production rose 29% in March, 2003. Carry-over stock level dropped to 1.0 MMT. PO exports rose to 960 TMT in March. The average local CPO price slipped further from US$396/MT in March to US$384/MT in April.

THAILAND, May 2, 2003 -- Exports prices remained unchanged.

SPAIN, May 2, 2003 -- Spain's 2002/03 citrus production is estimated at around 5.8 million tons, up four percent from the previous season and six percent up from MY 2000/01. Citrus exports for 2001/02 rose to 3.8 million tons, up 8 percent from MY 2000/01. According to trade sources, Spain exported about 57,000 tons of clementines to the U.S. in MY 2002/03.

EUROPEAN UNION, May 2, 2003 -- The EU tabled a proposal to the WTO to ban all subsidies which increase fishing capacity and hence cause over-fishing.

EUROPEAN UNION, May 2, 2003 -- 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".

EUROPEAN UNION, May 2, 2003 -- This report gives an overview of EU subsidy programs for wine.

EUROPEAN UNION, May 2, 2003 -- This report gives an overview of EU subsidy programs for fruits and vegetables.

MEXICO, May 2, 2003 -- The fresh orange production forecast for marketing year 2002/03 remains unchanged at 3.6 MMT. Since the orange crop is expected to be down 200,000 MT from a year ago, with fresh orange prices subsequently higher, the fresh concentrate orange juice (FCOJ) industry is expected to reduce juice production to 15,000 MT for MY 2003. Therefore, exports of FCOJ will be lower and the U.S. FCOJ quota will likely not be filled.

ARGENTINA, May 2, 2003 -- Argentina's position on Genetically Modified (GM) planting seeds is unclearly defined. No new material has been added to the list of approved GM varieties since July 2001. Breeders are encountering government resistance to the production of non-approved corn hybrids for export to the U.S. Planting seeds for grains and oilseeds production is expected to follow the ups and downs of the crops' planted areas since they are strongly affected by international prices and less so by local consumption. However, pasture planting seeds used for grass production for the domestically oriented cattle and dairy industries have been affected by the fall of beef and dairy products in the local economy.

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