JAPAN, March 10, 2004 -- Key upcoming marketing activities of the U.S. Agricultural Trade Offices in Japan (Tokyo and Osaka) this year include: Foodex Japan 2004, the largest international food and beverage exhibition in Asia, March 9-12; the Japan Flower & Garden Show 2004, Japan's largest flower show, March 26-28; IFIA Japan 2004, Japan's leading food ingredients trade show & conference, May 26-28; Health Ingredients Japan 2004, where a U.S. Pavilion is being organized for just the third year at this growing show with a health ingredients focus, October 5-7; Inter-Food Osaka, targeting Kansai and Western Japan buyers, September 14-16; and various ATO-sponsored promotional events and activities including: U.S. product showcases, reverse trade missions to key U.S. food shows, menu fairs, participation in regional wholesaler shows, dissemination of PR/food safety information, and the Virtual Great American Food Market.

JAPAN, March 10, 2004 -- From America's largest overseas food and agricultural export market as translated from Japan's mass media and food industry news. This issue includes: Drug store chains such as Matsumoto Kiyoshi, plan to expand sales of food and beverages; Yoshinoya says sales began to recover in January following the ban on U.S. beef imports in December; Dai-ichi Life Research Institute Inc. says Japan's GDP may eventually be negatively impacted by a prolonged ban on beef imports; Tonyu (soymilk) enjoys the number one product market ranking in Japan and; In advance of any reported human infection resulting from avian influenza, Japan's Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare (MHLW), prepares to prevent any wide-spread outbreak similar to that elsewhere in Asia.

SOUTH AFRICA, REPUBLIC OF, March 10, 2004 -- South Africa's 2003 corn crop is currently estimated at 7 million tons compared to the 9.7 million tons produced in 2002. The decrease is the cumulative effect of a cutback in area planted and a summer drought. This may lead to imports of about 900,000 tons in 2004. South Africa's 2003 wheat crop is currently estimated at 1.4 million tons after 2.4 million tons were produced in 2002. My 2003/04 imports are likely to reach 1.2 million tons after 870,000 tons were imported in the previous season. If weather conditions allow, the 2004 crop planted later this year is expected to rebound to previous levels.

RUSSIAN FEDERATION, March 10, 2004 -- : Last year's smaller crop has decreased the availability of the "saved" planting seeds used by most farmers in Russia, especially for wheat, and is expected to affect negatively grain output this season. In contrast, seed imports, particularly for corn, malting barley, soybeans, and sugar beets, may expand as processing companies seek to support their increased investments in the industry by developing a stable supply of quality planting seeds. Imports of various vegetables and horticultural crop planting seeds are forecast to grow along with increased domestic income.

INDIA, March 10, 2004 -- India raises soybean oil tariff value; Post lowers soybean oil import estimate.

INDIA, March 10, 2004 -- *Government plans additional pest risk analysis*, *Ministry favors eco-friendly transgenic crops*, *India to go slow on trade agreements*, *Clouded farms*. *New Secretary of Agriculture appointed*.

RUSSIAN FEDERATION, March 10, 2004 -- A deteriorating feed situation following the 2003 grain harvest is forecast to increase slaughter rates and decrease the beef and swine herds in 2004 compared to previous expectations. The grain situation will hold down swine industry growth for the short term, while prolonging the downward spiral of beef production.

FINLAND, March 10, 2004 -- As of March 1, 2004, Finnish alcohol taxes have been reduced by an average of 33%. The tax on hard liquor is reduced by 44%, on beer by 32% and on table wine by 10%. These tax cuts are being fully passed on to the consumers.

BULGARIA, March 10, 2004 -- Consumption of fish in Bulgaria has expanded rapidly in the last three years to reach record high size in 2003. Fish imports has grown from $10.0 million in 2000/2001 to above $23.0 million in 2003. The U.S. fish exports to Bulgaria in 2003 increased 170 percent over 2002 and reached $3.1 million, mainly in a form of frozen mackerel. Growing local demand along with dynamically developing tourist industry, HRI and retail sectors are proving promising opportunities for further growth in the future.

MEXICO, March 10, 2004 -- On March 15, April 26, and August 27, 2004, Mexico's Secretariat of Economy will conduct auctions for permits (cupos) for the Mexican private sector to import 12,000,000 Kg. of dairy preparations duty-free from MFN trading partners.

MEXICO, March 10, 2004 -- On March 15, 2004, Mexico's Secretariat of Economy will conduct an auction for permits (cupos) to the Mexican private sector to import 2,000,000 Kg. of milk powder duty-free from MFN trading partners. This is the first auction of this year. It partially fulfills Mexico's commitments under the Uruguay Round trade negotiations.

NETHERLANDS, March 10, 2004 -- OAA/The Hague has held a series of meetings with Dutch and Danish government officials as well as contacts in the food and feed sectors. These meetings have focused on enforcement of Traceability and Labeling legislation, and the practical application of EU requirements.

CANADA, March 10, 2004 -- * Agriculture Minister Speller Welcomes Re-Opening of Comment Period on Cattle Rule * Affirmative Injury Ruling on U.S. Frozen Pizza * Canadian Retail Beef Prices Increased During 2003 * Beef Industry Promotion Arm Launches National Campaign * Temporary Ban on Poultry From Texas Continues * Update on Avian Influenza in British Columbia * Canada Remains Top Export Market for U.S. Agricultural Exports

CHILE, March 10, 2004 -- Chile's tomato paste production is expected to rebound, following a stronger demand in its export markets. Although exports of fresh tomato are expected to fall significantly, production is forecast to stay at a similar level to last year's.

ECUADOR, March 10, 2004 -- Imports of wheat for MY2004 are forecasted at 455,000 MT, virtually unchanged over the past market year. The U.S. market share has decreased 40 percent for the MY2003. Both rice and corn production will be affected by adverse weather conditions, lack of rainfalls from December 2003 through February 2004 will result in delayed star of winter crop season.

MEXICO, March 10, 2004 -- Mexico's imports of corn and dry edible beans in MY 2004/05 are forecast to remain the same as MY 2003/04, due to continued good crop production; MY 2004/05 sorghum imports are forecast to increase 3.5 percent, due to stronger demand for feed. For MY 2004/05, production of corn and dry beans are expected to remain unchanged assuming normal weather conditions, while sorghum is expected to decline slightly from the MY 2003/04 harvest. Total Mexican wheat production for MY 2004/05 is forecast to remain unchanged from the previous year's revised estimate of 2.4 million metric tons (MMT), due to the continued severe water shortage for irrigated crops in the principle wheat producing state of Sonora. Mexican rice production for MY 2004/05 is forecast to increase from the previous year's revised estimate to 194,000 MT (milled), due to expected federal and state government and industry assistance programs of nearly 25 million pesos (roughly U.S.$ 2.2 million) for the next three years.

MEXICO, March 10, 2004 -- On March 5, 2004, the Secretariat of Economy (SE) published two announcements on the auction of dry bean import permits (cupos) and the 2004 NAFTA tariff rate quota (TRQ) for dry beans from the United States and Canada. SE will conduct the first auction of permits to import 22,398.746 MT of U.S. dry edible beans on April 2, 2004; this quantity represents one-third of the total NAFTA tariff-rate quota (TRQ) for CY 2004. The auction for the last two-thirds will be held on June 1st (or the next business day).