THAILAND, August 3, 2004 -- Thailand's snack foods market is currently one of the largest and most diverse in the Asia-Pacific region, with an estimated value of $280 million and over 2,000 competing brands. Asian style snacks account for 75% of the market and Western style snacks have become more popular in recent years, accounting for the remaining 25% of the market. The market has been growing consistently while consumers taste and preferences are constantly changing and becoming increasingly sophisticated. Resulting in sales opportunities for U.S. exporters in the following market segments: potato chips, extruded snacks, fish snacks, prawn crackers, and peas and nuts. The main factors driving consumers purchasing decisions include: taste and favor, price, and healthy snacks.

INDIA, August 3, 2004 -- *Updated on August 1, 2004*. *All sections updated*. *Plant Quarantine (Regulation of Import into India) Order, 2003, with amendments, implemented*. *New labeling requirement for food products containing permitted artificial sweeteners established*. *MRLs for additional 50 pesticides finalized, but not implemented*. *"High Risk" food items, subject to 100 percent sampling, announced *. *Sale of fresh fruits and vegetables coated with all types of waxes, minerals, and colors prohibited*.

EU-25, August 3, 2004 -- The EU has approved new rice import tariffs to replace the old 'margin of preference' (MOP) import tariff system. From September 1, 2004, EU imports of brown rice will face a tariff of EUR 65/MT, milled rice EUR 175/MT. The changes have been decided on unilaterally by the EU using the WTO Article 28 procedure to withdraw the rice MOP concessions negotiated with the U.S. in the 1990's as part of the Uruguay Round.

ITALY, August 3, 2004 -- Italian agricultural debate is animated by implementation of Common Agricultural Policy reforms. The Italian Government has finally reached an agreement with Italian farmer unions and regional governments for the implementation of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) reform approved by the EU Council in June 2003. No official Government position has yet been agreed for the reform of other sectors.

EU-25, August 3, 2004 -- Forecasts for soybean crushings in the EU-25 for Marketing Year (MY) 04/05 point to only a very moderate increase to just under 15.0 MMT, compared to 14.75 MMT in 03/04. Soymeal demand is expected to decline by 0.5 MMT to 32.4 MMT in 04/05, around two thirds of which is imported into the EU as meal. This reduction in soymeal use will easily be offset by greater availability of rapeseed. Rapeseed production is expected to rebound up 1.6 MMT to 12.7 MMT following the poor 03/04 harvest, increasing meal availability by 440,000 MT to 6.5 MMT in 04/05. The extra rapeseed oil will easily be absorbed by the EU's biodiesel production industry. The longer term outlook for the EU oilseeds sector in Europe is of continued decline in domestic crushings of soybeans and sunflowerseed being replaced by meal imports.

BRAZIL, August 3, 2004 -- Post forecast production in 2004/05 is lowered 100,000 tons to 1.4 million tons but imports and exports remain unchanged. Imports for 2003/04 are raised to 130,000 tons and exports lowered to 200,000 tons. Meanwhile 2003/04 production is unchanged at 1.25 million tons.