FAS Daily Attache Report Digest
Annual
MEXICO, October 19, 2004 -- Fresh strawberry
production for MY 2004/05 is forecast at 135,000 MT,
a slight decrease from last year, due to poor
weather conditions. The states of Michoacan,
Guanajuato and Baja California continue to be the
main producers and exporters of Mexico's
strawberries. Exports of both fresh and frozen
strawberries are expected to continue to be low, due
to poor international demand and a more limited
shipping window, due to increased competition from
California for the U.S. market.
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Annual
GERMANY, October 19, 2004 -- Germany has no
commercial domestic processed sweet corn production.
In CY 2003, imports totaled 92,627 MT, thereof
76,013 MT of preserved sweet corn and 16,614 MT of
frozen sweet corn. The main supplier to the German
market were France, Hungary and Thailand. For
preserved sweet corn, the United States was the
fifth largest supplier with 2,172 MT.
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Annual
POLAND, October 19, 2004 -- Poland's 2004 strawberry
crop increased by nearly 38 percent compared to last
year amounting to 181,000 MT. Area under strawberry
cultivation slightly increased and amounted to
48,000 HA as compared with 43,900 HA in 2003. In
2003 Poland exported 84,200 MT of frozen
strawberries and it is estimated that exports in
2004 should amount to 80,000 MT. According to trade
sources Polish freezing companies still hold large
stocks of frozen product. Some of these stocks will
most likely be sold next year, increasing frozen
strawberry exports prior to next season.
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Yide Lu
Market: Emerging South China Powerhouse
CHINA, PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF, October 19, 2004 -- This
report is the first in a series of reports on
wholesale food markets located in South China. The
Yide Lu Wholesale Market in Guangzhou has grown
immensely since China opened its economy to the
world, providing a distributional base for dry
commodities, processed foods, and canned goods to
almost every province in the mainland. Because of a
growing demand for imported products, this market
will become more significant for exporters wishing
to become major players in China's economy.
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Annual
ITALY, October 19, 2004 -- Italian fresh apple
production in 2004 is expected to increase by about
12% vis-à-vis the 2003 campaign, pear production is
expected to grow by about 14%. The production of
fresh table grapes is in line with previous years.
Increasing competition in the European market and
declining fruit consumption are creating some
marketing concerns for Italian producers.
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Ban on U.S. Honey Lifted
EU-25, October 19, 2004 -- The European Commission
passed a decision amending the approval of residue
plans of third countries. This amendment effectively
re-lists the United States as one of the third
countries eligible to export honey to the EU.
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Solid Wood Products Annual Report
MEXICO, October 19, 2004 -- : As a result of the
economic rebound, Mexican consumption of forest
products is expected to outpace production in MY
2005, thereby increasing export opportunities for
U.S. wood and wood products. The competition within
the Mexican import market for forest products,
however, has increased, as it is a price-driven
market and thus very sensitive to less expensive
South American and Canadian wood products. Mexico's
forest sector and wood processing sub sectors
continue to be stagnant due to many structural
problems.
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