FAS Daily Attache Report
Digest
Annual
PHILIPPINES, September 6,
2004 -- The Philippine
livestock industry grew by
about 3 percent in 2003,
with the swine sector, as
the major contributor,
growing by 4 percent. Due to
strong domestic consumption
of pork, hog production will
likely continue to grow at a
similar rate in 2004. The
growth of the cattle
industry will likely remain
flat in 2004 due to a
decline in live cattle
imports and a stagnation in
calf production. Domestic
prices of pork and beef are
forecast to remain high in
the near term mainly as a
result of increased feed
costs. After a sharp decline
in US beef exports to the
Philippines immediately
following the US BSE case,
imports of US beef rebounded
in March of this year. US
data show that the export
value of US beef to the
Philippines was higher in
April 2004 than for the same
period last year.
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AnnualHONG
KONG, September 6, 2004 --
The Hong Kong government has
amended its certification
requirements for U.S.
chicken feet, effective on
April 30, 2005. U.S.
exporters may need to adjust
production facilities to
meet Hong Kong's new
certification requirements.
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Annual
BULGARIA, September 6, 2004
-- In 2003 and 2004,
Bulgaria continued to be a
net importer of pork and
beef. Imports are forecast
to increase in 2004 to meet
the demand, especially in
the second half of the year.
Currently, demand for pork
and high meat prices
stimulate imports and
encourage farmers to keep
their animals in an effort
to restore animal numbers
which declined as a result
of the feed shortage in
2003/2004, especially in the
pork sector. The U.S. export
opportunities are favorable,
both for beef, including
high quality beef steaks;
and for pork, mainly for
processing. Bulgaria allows
entry of U.S meats and no
additional import
requirements are likely
before the accession in the
EU by 2007.
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Annual
FINLAND, September 6, 2004
-- In 2003, the output from
Finnish sawmills amounted to
13.6 million cum, 2.5
percent more than in 2002. A
5% increase in domestic
consumption of sawnwood in
Finland in 2003, stimulated
the growth in production.
Although threatened in the
European market by increased
output from the Baltics, the
Finnish industry believes
that the Baltics cannot
expand their exports much
more. Russia is considered
to have huge possibilities
to increase its export
supply to Europe. Finnish
exports to the U.S.
decreased by 58% in 2003 due
to the weakened dollar.
Hardwood lumber and panel
products continue to present
the best opportunities for
U.S. suppliers.
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Annual
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES,
September 6, 2004 -- UAE
poultry producers face
significant production
hurdles that inhibit their
ability to capitalize on
opportunities presented in
this growing consumer
market. Poultry suppliers
are reacting to the
unsatisfied market demand by
importing frozen poultry, at
record level in 2003 that
does not appear to be waning
in 2004 despite
health/safety problems
internationally.
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Canada Connect Matchmaker
Program
CANADA, September 6, 2004 --
CANADA CONNECT -- Canada
Agrifood Network -- Agent
Distributor Connection,
since 2000 is a cost
effective matchmaking
service for U.S. food and
beverage producers wishing
to investigate the Canadian
market for brokers/agents
and distributors. Cost
change effective September
1, 2004.
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Weekly Highlights and Hot
Bites, Issue #34
MEXICO, September 6, 2004 --
No summary available.
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Annual
KOREA, REPUBLIC OF,
September 6, 2004 -- Korea
remains one of the few
countries that maintain a
nationwide ban on imports of
U.S. fresh and frozen
poultry meat due to avian
influenza-related concerns.
Korea is considering lifting
the ban on U.S. poultry meat
now that the United States
is free of highly pathogenic
avian influenza. Although
Brazil may soon be eligible
to export limited quantities
of poultry meat to Korea,
bans on other suppliers will
encourage importers to turn
to the United States when
the ban is lifted.
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Annual
NEW ZEALAND, September 6,
2004 -- New Zealand's
forestry harvest in 2005 is
forecast to decline 10
percent to 15.4 million
cubic meters. Log export
volumes next year will
decline approximately 20
percent in the face of lower
production levels and steady
domestic demand. Lumber
exports in 2005 are likely
to remain at 2004 levels.
The importation of Pinus and
Douglas Fir nursery stock
from the United States into
New Zealand was stopped
effective February 2004,
following MAF's interception
of pine pitch canker on
U.S.-sourced Douglas Fir
cuttings.
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