NIGERIA, April 20, 2004 -- Nigeria's overall sugar demand in MY2003/04 is estimated at 1.2 MMT, all imported. The major suppliers are Brazil and the EU. The percentage of raw sugar imports have been steadily increasing since the establishment of a private sugar refinery in 2000.. In CY2003, about 60% of total sugar imports entered the country in raw form, up from zero level in 1999. The privatization of government-owned sugar companies is progressing slowly. While the Savannah Sugar Company was privatized in March 2000, there have been delays in privatizing the other three sugar companies. It is hoped that the exercise will be concluded this year.

NIGERIA, April 20, 2004 -- The Nigerian Government has banned the importation of live and dead birds from all countries following the outbreak of avian flu reported in some Asian countries recently.

MEXICO, April 20, 2004 -- * MEXICO WILL EXPORT POULTRY MEAT TO JAPAN * NEGOTIATIONS TO EXPORT POULTRY TO THE U.S. WORKED OUT * BIOTERRORISM LAW INCREASES TRANSPORTATION COSTS * MEXICAN AGRICULTURAL SECTOR ACCOMPLISHES RECORD SALES TO THE U.S. * FARMERS GROUPS QUESTION NAFTA'S REPORT CONCLUSIONS * MEXICO'S IMPORT MEAT INSPECTION PROCEDURES DOUBTFUL * A WAVE OF SHOPPING CENTER CONSTRUCTION SWEEPS MEXICO * NAFTA DID NOT SLOW DOWN RURAL MIGRATION TO THE U.S. * DAMS IN THE NORTH ARE AT MAXIMUM CAPACITY

AUSTRALIA, April 20, 2004 -- Australian sugar production and exports are forecast to increase in 2004/05 in line with a rise in forecast sugar cane production, despite a strengthening exchange rate. Area of cane harvested is forecast to decline, as the industry remains under severe financial pressure. A strong Australian dollar is lowering local currency returns from sugar exports.

INDIA, April 20, 2004 -- *Government divided on Grain Export Policy*, *India-Brazil alliance key to secure gains of Doha agenda*, *Mercosur farm tariff plan puts India in a bind*, *Planning Commission chief pitches for collective approach on GM food*.

SWEDEN, April 20, 2004 -- The Swedish Board of Agriculture has approved commercial growing of a genetically engineered starch potato developed in Sweden. Before planting can commence, however, approval of other EU member states must be obtained.

SAUDI ARABIA, April 20, 2004 -- The Saudi Ministry of Agriculture accepts GISPA biotech statements as fulfillment of its bulk grains biotech-labeling requirement. Also, the Ministry has decided to ban all kinds o

GERMANY, April 20, 2004 -- The German textile industry continues to face strong competition from low cost countries. There have already been a number of closure or relocation of production facilities from Germany to other countries. This also affects cotton spins and weaving companies. As a consequence, German imports of raw cotton dropped by 16 percent to 105,669 MT in MY 2002/03. The top five suppliers were Sudan, Uzbekistan, Chad, Cameroon, and Mali. The Unites States ranked number seven with 6,004 MT and a market share of 5.7 percent.

ARGENTINA, April 20, 2004 -- Argentine exports of wheat and corn for January 2004.

ARGENTINA, April 20, 2004 -- Argentine exports of oilseeds, meal and oil for January 2004.

GREECE, April 20, 2004 -- Sultana cooperatives in the Greek raisin-producing regions of Crete and Peloponnese report a second poor crop in as many years. The hot summer of 2003 and rain during the drying season reduced the MY 2003/04 production to 15,000 tons of which 84% is marketable product. Imports are estimated at 3,000 tons. Competition for raisin imports is from Iran, Turkey, and the U.S.

GREECE, April 20, 2004 -- The peach crop in Greece is expected to rebound to a level much higher than the MY 2003/04 disaster-striken crop of 114,00 tons. The estimate for MY 2004/05 production is 925,000 tons. Deliveries to canners are estimated to be 320,000 tons in 04/05. Exports last year were low at 11,738 tons. The poor quality and high price of 03/04 Greek peaches kept them from being sold. Integrated pest management and certification of IPM are improving product quality.

MEXICO, April 20, 2004 -- MY 2004/05 production (August/July) is forecast at 7,500 MT and area planted at 3,000 has, figures that are approximately the same as those for MY 2003/04. Area devoted to raisins and raisin production in general has been declining in recent years, due to continued lack of water and credit availability. MY 2004/05 raisin exports are forecast at 4,300 MT, up slightly from the current marketing year. Traditionally, Mexico has been a net importer of raisins.

VENEZUELA, April 20, 2004 -- Soybean imports are forecast to increase for 2003/04 as the main crusher in Venezuela resuames operation and some full-fat soybean trials starts, but are not expected to exceed 50,000 tons. Soybean meal imports from the United States showed tremendous growth in 2002/03 due to financing and delivery advantages following the end of the national strike. Imports from the U.S. are expected to decrease in 2003/04 mainly due to high prices and tight availabilities. However, the high prices have effectively brought the Andean Price Band duties to zero which help third country exporters. Soybean oil has been mainly sourced from South American countries due to the tariff preferences and more recently to financing options available through ALADI. The Venezuelan government started to import edible oils last year through its state-trading entity, CASA.

RUSSIAN FEDERATION, April 20, 2004 -- Sugar beet production in Russia is forecast to continue to rise due to strong prices that result from high import barriers. These positive price trends and stable imports are attracting increased investment into the sugar beet sector. Russian production is forecast to increase by 25 percent in 2004 due to higher planted area, good initial planting conditions, and industry investment. Despite the switch from a tariff rate quota to a tariff-only system, Russian's imports are forecast to remain stable in 2004.

POLAND, April 20, 2004 -- Poland's 2003/04 sugar production is only 3.6 percent lower than the MY 2002/03 level. It is estimated that about 0.5 MMT of current year sugar production will be exported (about 110,000 tons with subsidies), while the majority will have to be sold at world market prices. On May 1, 2004 Poland will join the EU and its production policies will mirror those of the EU. Sources indicate that sugar beet producers and the sugar industry should benefit from the new production and market conditions.

CANADA, April 20, 2004 -- The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has published a regulatory proposal to ease Canadian import restrictions on U.S. live honeybees. Presently, Canada accepts U.S. live bees only from Hawaii. The proposal would allow the import of U.S. honeybee queens, with their attendant bees, from all states. If the rule is finalized, the continental U.S. bee industry would regain access to the Canadian live bee market possibly in time for the 2004 spring season.

MOROCCO, April 20, 2004 -- Sugar beet production is expected to be down as a result of an anticipated lower planted area this year. The area planted to sugar cane continues its downward trend because of high production costs. The recently concluded free trade agreement with the US could result in more price competitive sugar substitutes (corn milling products) being available in the local market and result in lower use of sugar by industrials

CHILE, April 20, 2004 -- Canned Peach output is expected to be significantly higher than both, our previous estimates and last year.