TAIWAN, August 20, 2004 -- The discovery of BSE in the U.S. in December 2003 continues to dramatically affect the Taiwan beef market. Beef consumption in 2004 is expected to fall by 17 percent to 63,200 mt (86,000 mt CWE), reversing steady increases since 2001. At the same time, the ongoing outbreak of Porcine Circovirus (PCV) continues to depress local swine production, keeping local pork prices high and stimulating pork meat imports, which will reach 78,000 tons (CWE) in 2004. Imports of other meat products such as offals are expected to increase.

INDIA, August 20, 2004 -- India's almond imports during MY 2004/05 (September/August) are forecast lower at 23,500 tons (in-shell) on expected strong US almond export prices. Walnut production in 2004/05 (October/September) is forecast to increase to 34,000 tons (kernel weight) due to favorable early season weather and this year's positive bearing pattern for trees. Supported by higher supplies, exports are forecast higher at 16,500 tons, as is consumption at 17,000 tons.

VIETNAM, August 20, 2004 -- Export prices increased slightly while local prices were stable or softer due to a lack of new export contracts being concluded. Vietnam will probably raise the 2004's rice export limit to 3.7 million metric tons from the current export goal of 3.5 million metric tons when harvest of the Summer-Autumn rice in the Mekong River Delta is completed by early September.

TURKEY, August 20, 2004 -- The GOT announced a new decree that changes the tax structure on cigarettes favoring consumption of oriental tobacco. The new decree lowered the proportionate tax on cigarettes and issued a fixed tax based on oriental tobacco content in formulations. The decree charges a lower tax rate for cigarettes that have a higher oriental tobacco content. The decree is expected to stop the decline in government tax revenues due to cigarette price cuts and assist TEKEL to protect its market share and maintain its value before the next privatization attempt. In the long-run, the change will result in an increase in utilization of oriental tobacco and a decline in imports of non-oriental tobacco, including those from the United States.

THAILAND, August 20, 2004 -- Export prices declined slightly due mainly to less aggressive loading activity.

GUATEMALA, August 20, 2004 -- Guatemalan macadamia production and exports have increased around five percent in the last year. In addition, the Guatemala nut industry is capturing the value added by manufacturing macadamia by-products

POLAND, August 20, 2004 -- Poland's GDP rose 3.8 percent in CY2003 and 1.3 percent in CY2002. Experts predict 2004 GDP to increase approximately 5.4 percent. Inflation in CY2003 dropped to 0.7 percent from 2 percent in 2002, while unemployment fell slightly from 18.1 percent in 2002 to 18.0 percent in 2003. Despite economic difficulties, the modernizing food retail sector continues to expand. Food trade, predominantly between Poland and the EU, has risen significantly in recent years and is expected to continue to grow. There are selective prospects for U.S. food and beverages sold directly to Poland or indirectly via Western Europe.

MEXICO, August 20, 2004 -- On July 30, 2004, Mexico's Secretariat of Agriculture, Livestock, Rural Development, Fisheries and Foodstuffs (SAGARPA) announced in the Mexican Federal Register (Diario Oficial) the specific guidelines for the support programs for coasting trade, ground transport, storage and export activities for Sinaloa white corn during the 2003/04 fall/winter season.

MEXICO, August 20, 2004 -- No summary available.