GREECE, August 9, 2004 -- An emerging trend in today's Greek households, increased pet ownership and improved pet care is evidenced by a steady rise in pet food imports. In 2003, retail pet food imports hit their peak, totaling $65.4 million. As a result of this demand more pet supply stores and veterinary clinics are opening, broadening the diversity of pet food retailers in Greece. Although the United States faces fierce competition with European Union producers, U.S. pet foods still maintain an important position in the growing market of premium and specialty pet food products.

MOLDOVA, REPUBLIC OF, August 9, 2004 -- After the grain deficit in MY03/04, Moldova expects a bumper wheat and barley crop at 800,000 MT and 300,000 MT, respectively, in MY04/05. Wheat exports are estimated at 150,000 MT. However, the success of these exports are questionable due to new GOM policy to administratively intervene in grain trade and restrict private interests.

BULGARIA, August 9, 2004 -- After the record high production in MY03/04 (720,000 MT), in MY04/05 Bulgaria is likely to have lower but still very good production, close to 620,000 MT. MY04/05 sunflower seeds exports also are likely to stay at higher levels, about 230,000 MT-250,000 MT. MY03/04 sunflower exports as of May 2004, have reached record high level of 250,000 MT due to its good quality, stable prices and favorable regional demand. Due to shortage of planting seeds in the spring of 2004, import growth was about 30 percent, especially of U.S. hybrids. In MY03/04, Bulgaria's imports of soybean meal has stabilized at 84,000 MT, mainly from Argentina and Brazil. Imports of soy oil in MY03/04 dropped to about 11,000 MT due to sufficient local supply of sunflower oil.

INDIA, August 9, 2004 -- India's MY 2002 almond imports raised to 27,600 metric tons (shelled basis) and walnut exports up to 18,000 metric tons (in-shell basis).

SAUDI ARABIA, August 9, 2004 -- On July 31, 2004, the Saudi Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) lifted the temporary import bans imposed on live poultry and hatching eggs from the United States out of fear that they might be infected with Avian and/or West Nile Virus.

SAUDI ARABIA, August 9, 2004 -- Recently, the Saudi Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) lifted the temporary import ban imposed on bovine semen from Washington States out of fear that they might be infected with BSE. The MOA still maintains the import embargo imposed January 26, 2004, on live cattle from Washington State due to the discovery of BSE in that state.

VIETNAM, August 9, 2004 -- Export prices were further increased USD 2-4/mt higher than those of last week due to higher demand from exporters in the local market. One of other reasons is the sharp increase of fertilizer cost of production.