KOREA, REPUBLIC OF, July 21, 2004 -- Dampened by combined internal and external uncertainties, the forecast for Korean economic growth has been revised down to about 5 percent by local and foreign economic research institutes. Concurrently, discouraged by government intervention to curb the speculative housing market, consumers are staying away from purchases of housing and durable items, which are impacting the construction sector. The housing repair and remodeling market is, conversely, expected to continue to grow. In October 2004, the Korean government plans to release the final rule on a proposed revision to the building code, which would allow for multi-family structure of up to three stories made of wood frame construction.

KENYA, July 21, 2004 -- Kenyan tea production averages 280,000 - 294,000 mt annually. Production for 2004 is projected at 295,ooo mt with a 5 % drop forecast for 2005. The drop is attributed to reduced smallholder farmers yield (husbandry practices, high cost of farm inputs) and low farmer morale (irregular and delayed payment). Kenya earns an average of $ 437.5 million from tea exports. The U.S. tea imports from Kenya average 4,500 mt annually. There are efforts to export Kenya tea to the U.S. under AGOA.

NETHERLANDS, July 21, 2004 -- Since 2002, Brazil replaced the United Stated as the main tobacco supplier to the Dutch market. Due to the increasing Brazilian production of Virginia tobacco varieties this trend is expected to continue.

INDIA, July 21, 2004 -- *Monsoon lagging in India*, *India nears a biotechnology crossroads: US Ambassador*, *New Biotech Policy in 6 months*, *Cooperation between G-99 and G-20 vital*, *Indo-Thailand trade pact on course*, *Metro in sourcing deal with Punjab government*, *Retailers try to crack barcode jumble*, *BANGLADESH: Subsidized Indian rice dumped into Bangladesh*, *BANGLADESH: Flood situation worsens*.

INDIA, July 21, 2004 -- This report summarizes the "Prevention of Food Adulteration (1st Amendment) Rules, 2004," which pertains to the use of artificial sweeteners, Monosodium Glutamate, and food additives in food products. This amendment was posted to the Ministry of Health website on July 13, 2004, and has not been notified to the WTO.

GERMANY, July 21, 2004 -- From January through June 2004, 33 cases of BSE were confirmed in Germany, compared to 13 and 54 during the same period in 2003 and 2002, respectively. Until July 8, two more cases were confirmed taking the total number of BSE cases to 327, since its first detection in Germany in November 2000. In Germany all cattle older than 24 month at slaughter have to be tested for BSE, compared to 30 monts in the EU. The ongoing discussion about testing age will likely result in a change to 30 month sometime in 2005.

EU-25, July 21, 2004 -- The European Committee for Standardization (CEN) is taking initiatives to speed up the development of European standards in the area of food safety, especially in the field of testing and sampling methods and on microbiological criteria. The widely announced EU legislation on general food law, food hygiene and food and feed controls, which form the cornerstone of the new comprehensive approach to food safety in the EU calls for the development of such standards. The full extent of the new legislation will only become obvious after some of these standards are in place. Exports of U.S. products

CANADA, July 21, 2004 -- * Crunch Time is Coming as Fall Nears and Border Remains Closed * Proposed Price Increase in Milk Draws Ire of Food and Consumer Groups * In Spite of Softwood Duties, B.C.'s Lumber Industry Performing Strongly * Cool, Wet Weather Reduces Grasshopper Infestation * U.S. Labeling Law Infuriates B.C. Fish Farmers * Fraser Valley Poultry Farms Begin to Restock * Canada to Enhance BSE Controls * Winter Wheat Harvest In Essex County Looks Bleak * Saskatchewan and Manitoba Crop Update

UKRAINE, July 21, 2004 -- Ukrainian personal income growth has caused significant increase in demand for fish and fish products with imports surging to record high levels. Consumers' preferences are slowly moving toward more expensive, higher quality fish, which opens a new niche market for U.S. suppliers of pink and chum salmon, hake and sardines.

VENEZUELA, July 21, 2004 -- Venezuela offers good opportunities for U.S. suppliers to the processed foods sector. The United States is a major supplier of ingredients to Venezuelan manufacturers, although competition from other foreign suppliers has intensified. Major imported food ingredients include: wheat, dairy products such as milk and whey powders, processed fruits and vegetables and sweeteners. Continued strong demand for basic food ingredients is forecast fueled by a growing population and limited supplies of locally produced inputs. Cost will continue to be a primary consideration in ingredient purchases due to persistent price sensitivity in the Venezuelan food and beverage market.

MEXICO, July 21, 2004 -- This service provider report provides contacts in Mexico for all services related to exporting, from labeling verification units to trade attorneys to public relations firms and others. US agricultural export sales to Mexico reached $7.9 billion in 2004, and the market continues to provide excellent prospects for potential US exports.

MEXICO, July 21, 2004 -- The Mexican market for fruit and vegetable juices has grown over the past five years, though most of the market is satisfied by local production. Imports comprise about 4 percent of domestic consumption and the US import market share is 74 percent. Innovative products and new juice blends hold the most potential for market growth.

MOROCCO, July 21, 2004 -- The Ministry of Agriculture extended the waiver for full implementation of the new labeling law until January 2005. New minimum nutritional contents for mixed feed as well as new maximum microbiological tolerances have been published for animal and dairy products have been published in 2004.