FAS Weekly Attache Report Digest
August 3, 2002

MEXICO, July 25, 2002 -- Mexican Supreme Court Rules Suspension of the 20-Percent Tax on HFCS Unconstitutional*U.S. Fructose Importers May Be Locked Out of Mexico*U.S. Reacts Negatively to Court Ruling On Fructose*Mexico is World's Most Egg-Friendly Country*Mexican Lawmakers Examining European Agriculture Finance Schemes*Mexico's Pork Industry on the Warpath Again*Mexico's Secretariat of Economy Alleges No Damage Being Done By A1 Restrictions

CROATIA, July 25, 2002 -- The Croatian pet food market grew by19 percent in the past three years and dog and cat food imports totaled $13.2 million in 2001. Croatia does not yet domestically produce pet food. Trade data indicate only a small percentage of pet food imports come directly from the United States but U.S. brands are commonplace and several are made with U.S. ingredients in Western Europe. Future growth is expected as the population ages and standards of living rise.

HONG KONG, July 25, 2002 -- Updates

UZBEKISTAN, REPUBLIC OF, July 25, 2002 -- No summary available.

THAILAND, July 26, 2002 -- Weekly rice price and trade update.

EUROPEAN UNION, July 26, 2002 -- This weekly report contains data on rice prices in the U.S., Thailand and the EU. It also lists current import duties and export subsidies in the EU. All information will be published as such in the weekly USDA publication "Rice Market News".

ISRAEL, July 26, 2002 -- Total citrus production in MY2001 dropped to 600,000 mt from a planted area of 18,450 ha. Estimated exports totaled 163 tmt. The sector's volume of production and exports is rapidly dropping towards the critical size below which they can no long support major export infrastructure and facilities. Farmers refrain from renewing investments because of the chronic low profitability of the crop.

CHILE, July 26, 2002 -- This report contains January through March 2002 export data and cumulative data for Fishmeal and Fishoil. Sources: Central Bank. Units: Metric Tons.

GUATEMALA, July 29, 2002 -- Guatemala's dual purpose cattle sector suffers from lack of modernization and can be assisted with technology transfer from its partners. Guatemalan cattle production is expected to increase slightly during the year 2003 as domestic consumption of meat starts to increase, and total cow slaughter increases due to slight expansion in cattle numbers. In addition, Guatemala's FMD and BSE free certification is an incentive to cattlemen to raise more cattle to approach foreign markets. Most cattle production is located in the northern part of the country, specifically in Petén and Izabal, but slowly some of the land in the south coast that was lost to other crops is returning to cattle production. Crops in the south coast such as sugarcane and rubber are not as profitable as they use to be.

MEXICO, July 25, 2002 -- On July 17, 2002, the Mexican Supreme Court of Justice published in the Diario Oficial (Federal Register) an announcement reinstating the 20-percent tax imposed on sales of beverages containing HFCS.

TURKMENISTAN, July 29, 2002 -- Turkmen cotton production continues to fall well below target levels and is projected at about 182,000 tons in MY 2002, close to the MY 2001 level. Drought conditions adversely effected the 2001 crop, while excessive rains have delayed the harvest and lowered expectations for 2002. Modern textile factories are working at levels well below capacity, due to shortages of lint.

POLAND, July 30, 2002 -- Poultry meat imports and exports increased in 2001 although U.S. poultry meat lost market share to the EU as a result of preferential access for EU products. Meanwhile, Poland is expected to reach its sixth consecutive record chicken meat production level in 2002, more than doubling production since 1996. Market access for U.S. poultry could end prior to EU accession which the Polish government hopes to achieve by 2004 but transshipments to Eastern European markets may continue.

PERU, July 26, 2002 -- Unusual cold weather kills 75 people and over 50,000 animals in the southern Andes of Peru

RUSSIAN FEDERATION, July 31, 2002 -- GOR Resolution #536 applies import duties on white and raw sugar for the year 2003. Seasonal import tariffs will be not applied in 2003. Differentiation of basic tariff between the first and second half of the year was applied instead. The same resolution describes the TRQ for 2003. Its volume will grow up from 3.65MMT in 2002 to 3.95MMT in 2003.

TAIWAN, July 31, 2002 -- Taiwan recorded significant drops in nearly all key wood product indicators during 2001 due to generally soft consumer demand. Indications that Taiwan's economic downturn has bottomed out leads to expectations that demand, while remaining tepid through 2002, should begin to recover in 2003. Imports for wood products such as furniture, interior design hardwoods, and DIY lumber products should directly benefit from economic recovery. Wood used in construction continues to post healthy gains, albeit from a small base, particularly in the glulam and treated southern yellow pine (SYP) categories. The former has been successfully promoted in recent years for use in structural applications, while treated SYP is currently used in a wide-variety of public beautification applications.

UNITED KINGDOM, July 31, 2002 -- British beef exports, none of which have taken place since the outbreak of FMD in February, 2001, may restart this summer following the relaxation of the UK export regulations by the EU Commission.

RUSSIAN FEDERATION, July 31, 2002 -- This is the first issue of The Russian Marketplace, a newsletter prepared by ATO staff in Moscow, St. Petersburg, and Vladivostok. The purpose of this newsletter is to report on developments and trends in the food processing, retail and food service sectors in Russia and help expand U.S. exports of agricultural, food, and beverage products.

RUSSIAN FEDERATION, July 31, 2002 -- In 2001, Russia imported 256 million liters of wine - a 34 percent increase over 2000. Although low-cost imports from Moldavia, Georgia, and other CIS countries currently dominate the market, there is growing interest in better quality wines. This trend, combined with higher consumer incomes, suggests good opportunities for U.S. wine exporters.

MEXICO, July 31, 2002 -- On May 31, the Secretariat of Treasury (SHCP) announced new requirements for imported table eggs that should be added to the invoices or import documents.

MEXICO, July 31, 2002 -- On May 31, 2002, Mexico published in the Diario Oficial (Federal Register) Mexican Customs new requirements for additional information on agricultural products imported to Mexico. For many U.S. exporters, exporting agricultural products to Mexico through the U.S./Mexican border can be a very time consuming and costly experience not to mention frustrating, however, it is not necessarily the proverbial black hole it is sometimes made out to be.

EL SALVADOR, August 1, 2002 -- This report contains updated information on: food laws, labeling requirements, food additive regulations, pesticide and other contaminants, other regulations and requirements, other specific standards, trademark laws and import procedures.

PHILIPPINES, August 1, 2002 -- The Philippines is the 15th largest importer of American food and agricultural products. U.S. exports of agricultural, fish and forestry products amounted to $830 million, 12% lower than the previous year due to the weakening of the Peso. Real GDP reached 3.2 percent in 2001. The target for GDP growth in 2002 is currently pegged at 4 to 4.5 percent.

KOREA, REPUBLIC OF, August 1, 2002 -- Korea's wine imports, both by value and volume, set a new record in 2001 and are expected to maintain a double digit growth rate in years to come. Imports from the U.S. also set a record high, reaching 1.1 million liters and $5.7 million dollars, up 7.8% and 67.1% respectively from a year earlier. Korea is an excellent market for high quality U.S. wine and also promises a good potential for low to medium priced wines. Wine consumption is mainly driven by changes in dietary and drinking culture. These factors equate to abundant opportunities for U.S. exporters.

INDONESIA, August 1, 2002 -- Indonesia's broiler industry continues to slowly recover following the financial crisis of 1997. Sustained by a new climate of political and economic stability, the revival of the industry is expected to continue at least through 2003, with expansion of output forecast. These same economic conditions are leading to growing demand for poultry meat. Trade, both imports and exports, remain limited. The ban on poultry part imports remains in effect, depriving Indonesian consumers from having access to one of the world's most inexpensive sources of meat protein, and preventing U.S. exporters from taking advantage of market opportunities

SLOVAKIA, August 1, 2002 -- Slovakia's wheat harvest should meet domestic demand with little if any left over for export. The corn and sunflower-seed crops were helped by rain in July although there is some evidence of heat stress due to temperature spikes at the end of June. The rapeseed crop is expected to be about 10 percent larger this year on expanded acreage. Rapeseed exports are limited by the government to 82,000 MT this year. This report contains a harvest update table published by the Slovak government on July 22.

CROATIA, August 1, 2002 -- The wheat harvest in Croatia is finished and the crop looks average to good. Despite a decline in production subsidies, Croatia is expected to have 250,000MT of milling wheat in excess of domestic demand. The government has budgeted about $19.2 million for payments to companies based on export performance.

ISRAEL, August 1, 2002 -- The Israeli market demand for U.S. soybean imports remained stable in MY2000 at about 550,000 mt while imports from other sources fell slightly from 85,000 mt to 68,000 mt. Total soybean imports in MY2001 are expected to increase, both from the U.S. and from Argentina. Israeli crushers reported low internal market prices for oil and for meal, and some show financial losses. A producer of textured soy concentrate is increasing production for domestic consumption and export.

MEXICO, August 1, 2002 -- A a result of late onset of the rainy season, planted area and progress of the 2002/03 fall/winter feedgrains, soybean and cotton seed crops have declined and slowed compared to the same period a year ago. FAS/Mexico, however, is maintaining its previous PS&D estimates for MY 2002/03.

CHILE, August 1, 2002 -- This report contains January through June 2002 export data and cumulative data for Fishmeal and Fishoil. Source: Central Bank. Units: Metric Tons.

CHINA, PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF, July 30, 2002 -- The premier fresh fruit wholesale market in China is in danger of business disruption. A former partner of the holding company of the market has taken temporary control of its office by force and several key operational personnel have either resigned or been dismissed.

KOREA, REPUBLIC OF, August 1, 2002 -- Section Updated: Section I.B, I.C, I.D, II.A, II.C, II.D.A.1, IV, V, VI.A, VI.B, VII

TAIWAN, August 2, 2002 -- In response to a weak economy and fierce price competition, Taiwan's food retailers have continued to restructure operations, introduce new store formats, expand advertising budgets, and seek out new domestic and imported products. Taiwan's accession to the WTO in early 2002 increased interest in imported food products. Convenience stores and hypermarkets continue to be the dominant retail channels for food products.

SPAIN, July 30, 2002 -- The Government of Spain has confirmed 150 cases of BSE since the disease was first detected in Spain on November 22, 2000. After an initial dramatic decrease when the first cases were detected, beef consumption has now recovered back to pre-BSE levels. No sales to intervention have been reported during the last few months.

PORTUGAL, August 2, 2002 -- Updated on July 2002.

BRAZIL, August 2, 2002 -- Updated on 7/26/2002. Sections Updated are B, D, E, and F.

EUROPEAN UNION, August 2, 2002 -- This weekly report contains data on rice prices in the U.S., Thailand and the EU. It also lists current import duties and export subsidies in the EU. All information will be published as such in the weekly USDA publication "Rice Market News".

THAILAND, August 2, 2002 -- Weekly rice price and trade update.

SAUDI ARABIA, July 30, 2002 -- Saudi Arabia imposes an immediate temporary ban on imports of poultry & poultry products imports from the EU countries including France. France has been the second leading frozen poultry supplier to Saudi Arabia in recent years.

ITALY, August 2, 2002 -- Report updates FAS Rome, Italy's promotional and marketing activities, including a listing of major Italian trade shows for September 2002 to 2004.

SPAIN, July 30, 2002 -- According to the Spanish Ministry of Agriculture no shipment of mixed feed for domestic animals, contaminated with Medroxyprogesterone-acetate (MPA) has been reported in Spain. Feeder pigs imported from Holland and suspected to be contaminated with MPA have been removed from the food chain pending testing. The impact of this new food scandal in both pork production and consumption has been minimal.

CHINA, PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF, July 31, 2002 -- This report contains Chinese government regulatory agencies contact information. It is an index of regulatory agencies that USDA offices use for contacts in China. Contact the Agricultural Affairs Office of the US Embassy in Beijing for any further inquiries.

CHINA, PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF, July 31, 2002 -- This report contains import specialist contact information for USDA offices, USDA public and private cooperators, US State representative offices, and associations that promote US and China trade. Contact the Agricultural Affairs Office of the US Embassy in Beijing for any further inquiries.

CHINA, PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF, July 31, 2002 -- This report is the China Food and Agricultural Import Regulations and Standards Working Index. It is an index of all the food and food import regulations that have been translated by the Agricultural Affairs Office of the US Embassy in Beijing. All translations are UNOFFICIAL.

NEW ZEALAND, August 1, 2002 -- Fonterra announces first year loss of US$ 24 million. Fonterra revises payout forecast for 2002-03 down to US$ 1.78/kg milksolids.

NEW ZEALAND, August 1, 2002 -- General: GE liability issue back with government. Livestock: Record low venison production. Horticulture: Record NZ grape harvest confirmed. Dairy: Fonterra announces first year loss of US$ 24 million. Fonterra reduces payout forecast to US$ 1.78 per kg milksolids. Fisheries: Government plans to bring tuna into quota management system.

COSTA RICA, August 1, 2002 -- This report is a market analysis of the HRI sector in Costa Rica, including imports of food and beverage products, distribution channels, market structure and main product prospects.

INDIA, August 2, 2002 -- Progress of the Southwest monsoon continues to remain satisfactory.

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