FAS Weekly Attache Report Digest
January 25, 2003

BULGARIA, January 16, 2003 -- Natural juices are enjoying steady demand, replacing traditional carbonated soft drinks consumption, as well as meeting the demand of summer tourists. Most local juice producers manufacture based on imported concentrates. The competition between local manufacturers contributes to the stable retail prices and improved quality and diversity on the market. Average annual consumption of fruits and vegetables juices is forecast at a stable level of 50 million liters, or 6.0 liter per capita.

PORTUGAL, January 16, 2003 -- Portugal's kiwifruit production for MY2002/2003 is forecast at 7,500 MT, 65 percent above 2001/2002 levels due to expectations of improved weather for the season. Imports are forecast to decrease slightly to 8,000 MT, reflecting the expected increase in domestic production. Marketing prospects for U.S. kiwifruit are not promising, due to greater availability and stiff competition from EU suppliers.

EUROPEAN UNION, January 16, 2003 -- Improved yields are expected to lead to higher rice stocks in 2002/2003. Major reforms have been proposed to prepare the EU rice sector for increased imports under the Everything But Arms initiative.

GERMANY, January 16, 2003 -- Germany's consumers spent approximately $164 billion in 2001 on food and beverages. Of this amount two-thirds is spent in retail food and beverage outlets such as supermarkets and discount stores. Although Germany continues to be an excellent market for U.S. products, Germany's stagnant economy has affected retail sales.

MEXICO, January 16, 2003 -- The Mexican government is banning poultry and poultry products from the United States due to concerns of exotic Newcastle disease as of January 10, 2003.

THAILAND, January 16, 2003 -- Thailand offers great opportunities in the food processing sector as domestic sales of processed foods continue to rise. The country is considered to be one of the largest agricultural exporters and the only net food exporter country in Asia. Thailand's food processing industry is the most developed in Southeast Asia. Major industries include the production of rice, processed and frozen shrimp, sugar, processed poultry, canned tuna, confectionery and snack items, canned pineapples, tapioca, and alcohol beverages. There are over 9,900 food and beverage processing factories which consist of small, medium and large-scale plants.

THAILAND, January 17, 2003 -- Export prices remained firm due to the Thai Baht's further strengthening and higher transportation costs.

EUROPEAN UNION, January 17, 2003 -- 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".

TAIWAN, January 17, 2003 -- The ATO will do its first ever Food Ingredients Show in March 2003. Other opportunities include the FAS Pavilion at the Taipei International Food Show, a marketing seminar, and restaurant menu and in-store promotions.

ISRAEL, January 16, 2003 -- The MY2001 avocado harvest totaled 83 thousand tons of which 46 thousand tons were exported. Shipments to local market were 46 percent higher than in previous year. Total area planted to avocado is 5,000 hectares and is expected to remain at that level due to shortage of water and increasing competition in Europe.

TAIWAN, January 20, 2003 -- Taiwan's import demand for wheat is expected to remain stable through 2003. Overall corn imports should fall only slightly with U.S. market share stable unless Taiwan allows the entry of PRC corn. Although Taiwan ended a temporary import permission for PRC corn that opened trade in fall 2002, it could still reverse itself later in 2003. The revised overall Taiwan wheat import forecast for 2002/03 is 1.02 million metric tons, while for corn it is 4.8 million metric tons.

ITALY, January 20, 2003 -- Total Italian kiwifruit output for the 2002/03 marketing year is forecast at 390,000 tons or 19% more than in 2001/02. This report revises previous expectation of an export decline; current data show Italian kiwi exports remain very large. In 2001/02 exports represented about 76% of domestic output.

GERMANY, January 20, 2003 -- Germany's stagnant economy has affected retail sales, including sales of food products. However, Germany still represents the biggest market in Europe for consumer-oriented foods and beverages. Germany's consumers spent Euro 183.3 billion (approx. $164 billion) in 2001 on food and beverages. The high share of single-person households and the rising number of working women has led to strong growth in the consumption of convenient types of foods and beverages, such as frozen foods, snacks and prepared convenience foods.

CHILE, January 20, 2003 -- Chile's kiwi production is expected to be similar in volume and quality then last year. But since exported volumes depend on quality of the production and foreign demand, total exports as of now are forecasted to fall slightly when compared to the previous year.

ESTONIA, January 20, 2003 -- The fast-developing consolidation of retail outlets through investment by large Scandinavian chains has led to the construction of ultra-modern, fully assorted supermarkets and hypermarkets that may provide new opportunities for exporters who can successfully connect with these companies. Estonia hopes to finalize European Union (EU) accession negotiations by the end of this year and join the Union in 2004. New market entrants will have to be aggressive to compete with the more established European suppliers. Major current constraints to exports of U.S. products include the unfamiliarity of consumers with U.S. grocery products and tariff disadvantages vis-a-vis European suppliers and Estonia's partners of Free Trade Agreements.

NEW ZEALAND, January 21, 2003 -- Total kiwifruit production and exports in 2003 will be similar to last season. Increased production attributed to a larger harvest area is offset by frost losses. Concerns over low quality exports to Australia and the undocumented and unauthorized onward shipment of New Zealand kiwifruit from Australia is leading to the imposition of tighter export regulations.

FRANCE, January 21, 2003 -- Preliminary estimates indicate that, in 2002, French kiwifruit production partially recovered from 2001's reduced crop. The 2002 crop is estimated at 76,000 MT, on higher yields. In 2001, French kiwifruit production was 74,000 MT, due to adverse weather conditions, and despite a significant increase in the area planted. As a result, French exports declined and imports were up in MY 2001/02. There is no kiwi trade between France and the United States.

HONG KONG, January 21, 2003 -- Elimination of the rice import quota system effective January 1, 2003 has removed entry barriers to the trade, reduced operation costs, and enhanced competition among operators in the local rice trade. Although Thai rice is expected to be the dominate supplier (80% share), the drought in Australia and the new import regime could create opportunities for U.S. rice exporters in the coming months.

PERU, January 21, 2003 -- Fluid milk production in Peru continues increasing and is expected to reach 1.2 million metric tons in 2003. Peru needs to import high quality genetics to keep increasing production.

EUROPEAN UNION, January 16, 2003 -- 2002 was a crucial year for the reform of the EU's Common Fisheries Policy. The EU's Fisheries Council had to decide before December 31, 2002, on new measures to address inadequacies such as over-exploitation, over-capacity of the EU fleet and insufficient control. This report complements FAS report E22124 which provided statistical data on EU fish catches, aquaculture, the EU fishing fleet and imports and exports.

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC, January 21, 2003 -- After averaging 245,000 metric tons per year from 1997 to 2000, Dominican rice production increased sharply to 324,000 metric tons in 2001 and 347,000 metric tons in 2002. These increases were due to a new Dominican policy to become self-sufficient in rice and eliminate rice imports. However, the higher production levels have surpassed domestic consumption and resulted in surplus rice stocks in the country.

MALAYSIA, January 22, 2003 -- No summary available.

MALAYSIA, January 22, 2003 -- No summary available.

MALAYSIA, January 22, 2003 -- No summary available.

INDIA, January 22, 2003 -- *India's love affair with junk food*, *Dabur foods plan portfolio expansion*, *Canadian body to fund food security projects*, *Set up research center for safe use of GM crops*, *GM pulses next in transgenic crop calendar*, *Government mulls crude palm oil duty cut*, *Cheap vanaspati import feared from Sri Lanka*, *NCAER reviews growth forecast*.

ITALY, January 22, 2003 -- In 2002 the Italian textile industry recovery, which started in 2000 and continued in 2001, slowed down. Industry activity was lead by export demand. Export market competition in 2002 and the fragile Italian economy make trade sources doubt a sustained recovery in Italian textile manufacturing during the second half of 2002-03. The U.S. cotton market share in Italy is 4.7 %, although demand for U.S. pima cotton remains strong among fine-yarn spinners, with imports in 2002 up 5%.

CANADA, January 22, 2003 -- Canada Extends Poultry Meat Ban on Imports from California Due to Newcastle Outbreak* 2003/04 Grains and Oilseeds Estimates Released by AgCanada * Study Assesses COOL Impact on Canadian Hog Sector* Canadian Wheat Board Posts Prices, Sells Crop Slowly* Bondholders Nix Saskatchewan Wheat Pool Refinancing Proposal* Commerce Undersecretary's Forestry Paper Draws Additional Criticism* Canada Contributes C$19.7 Million to Help Chinese Farmers Adapt to Global Markets

MEXICO, January 20, 2003 -- The Government of Mexico has established an equivalent requirement in case there is no available veterinarian to accompany the shipment, as of January 10, 2003.

MEXICO, January 22, 2003 -- "NAFTA SUPERCEDES THE CONSTITUTION"*NATIONAL FARMLAND AGREEMENT AMENDED*GOVERNMENT NOW READY TO "ANALYZE" NAFTA*CNC & GOVERNMENT NEGOTIATE AGRRICULTURAL POLICY*MARKET ASSYMETRIES BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND MEXICO*POLITICAL INTERESTS CLOUD FARM WORKER PROTESTS*FOX ENCOURAGES FARMERS*PRD CONGRESSIONAL LEADERSHIP FURTHER SEEKS RENEGOTIATION OF NAFTA*THE SOLUTION TO END FRUIT AND HORTICULTURE CONTROVERSIES CORPORATION*"NAFTA IS GOOD FOR BUSINESS"*HIDALGO AND TLAXCALA GOVERNORS ASK TO RENEGOTIATE NAFTA*"THEY DON'T CALL HIM THE GARLIC KING FOR NOTHING"*CRITICISMS RAIN ON USABIAGA'S PARADE*NAFTA WORSENS AGRICULTURE*CONGRESS PUTS IN ITS TWO CENTS*NAFTA: A THREAT TO NATIONAL SECURITY?"*"NATIONAL CATTLE FARMING WILL LOOSE 64 PERCENT IN VALUE"*FARM WORKER GROUPS DEMAND FOX "LIVE UP TO HIS PROMISES"*CNC FINDS COMFORT IN NEW LEADER*NATIONAL GOVERNORS' COUNCIL JOINS PROTESTING GROUPS*"NAFTA CAN BE NEGOTIATED"* STRONGLY CONTEMPLATING BIOTECH*FOX BESTOWS ELECTRIC AND DIESEL SUBSIDIES

CZECH REPUBLIC, January 23, 2003 -- Czech farmers planted about 100,000 hectares less wheat than in the last crop cycle and no wheat exports are expected in 2002/3. Corn production has doubled since 1996 from about 200,000 MT to about 400,000 MT but no further increase is expected. Rapeseed production is expected to be the same as last year.

TAIWAN, January 23, 2003 -- Taiwan has announced its 2003 auction schedule for private import rights under its new Tariff Rate Quota system. The quota rights will be valid until September 1 but extendable to December 31 upon presentation of a valid contract. Taiwan importers have reported difficulty getting price quotes from U.S. exporters, who are likely busy with the Japan market.

CHINA, PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF, January 24, 2003 -- 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.

MOROCCO, January 21, 2003 -- Morocco recently implemented a law to protect plant breeders' rights, which should provide U.S. seed exporters with a better environment to export plant genetic material to Morocco.

THAILAND, January 24, 2003 -- Export prices declined slightly but still high as compared with major competitors.

BULGARIA, January 24, 2003 -- Bulgaria's trade regime reflects the country's status as an applicant

ITALY, January 23, 2003 -- Current BSE testing does not ensure a safe meat supply according to Italy's Carabinieri. Although one million mad cow tests have been conducted on Italian cattle destined for slaughter since testing became compulsory at the beginning of 2001, the 88 detections are not as significant as actions to avoid BSE testing altogether. Repubblica's article on December 6th details illegal drug use on animals, fraud, cattle rustling, unregulated slaughter, and other misdeeds in Italy's beef and feed industry

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