GAIN Reports from Monday, December 28, 2020

The following Global Agricultural Information Network (GAIN) reports were released on Monday, December 28, 2020.       Algeria: Exporter Guide The government of Algeria revised the scope of the partnership 49/51 rule to improve business climate and encourage foreign investments. The government encourages large-scale agricultural investments in the Highlands and the "Sahara" (South of Algeria). Foreign direct investment and partnerships are encouraged in the fields of cereals, oilseeds, and sugar production as well as crushing, refinery projects, storage capacity, cold chain infrastructures and packaging projects. The market is open for U.S. bovine embryos, hatching eggs and day-old chicks for chicken to be exported to Algeria. Colombia: Exporter Guide American exporters face new market conditions in Colombia, as well as new opportunities, as the country emerges from the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Private-label product market share, especially for more affordable rice, beans, and canned tuna, is increasing. Companies providing large discounts increased their market presence, benefiting from the economic downturn. COVID-19 influenced consumer habits and preferences. These are altering the landscape for retailers, food industry, and food service. Dominican Republic: Exporter Guide The Dominican Republic (DR) is the fifth-largest market for U.S. agricultural products in the Western Hemisphere, valued at $1.26 billion in 2019. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the growth rate of U.S. agricultural exports to the Dominican market, especially for consumer-oriented products. The demand for those products has decreased by 7 percent during the first 9 months of 2020 due to a significant reduction in the flow of tourists coming into the country and the closure of restaurants throughout the nation. Dominican Republic: FAIRS Export Certificate Report This report describes the major export certificates required by the Government of the Dominican Republic (DR) for imports of food and agricultural products. No substantive changes were published in 2020.  European Union: Mancozeb Non-Renewal and MRL Review On December 14, 2020, the European Commission published Commission Implementing Regulation 2020/2087 concerning the non-renewal of the active substance, mancozeb, in the Official Journal. The regulation enters into force 20 days later, which means that mancozeb will no longer be approved as an active substance at the EU level as of January 4, 2021. Member States have until July 4, 2021 to withdraw all authorizations for plant protection products containing mancozeb. The grace period for farmers to use up stocks of products with mancozeb ends January 4, 2022. Separately, the European Food Safety Authority announced the start of the review process for existing Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs) for mancozeb on December 15, 2020. India: Government of India Announces Market Year 2020-21 Subsidy for Sugar Exports On December 16, 2020, the Government of India's (GOI) Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a subsidy of $475.8 million to facilitate sugar exports of six million metric tons for market year 2020/21 (October-September). Indonesia: Wood Processing Industry Overview Indonesia's abundant forests provide primary raw materials for its growing export-oriented wood processing industry. Valued at over $12 billion in 2019, the sector's growth has slowed as a result of COVID-19, impacting local producers as well as overseas suppliers including the U.S., which is a key supplier of lumber, veneer, logs and plywood. Japan: Exporter Guide Japan is the fourth largest market for U.S. exporters of food and agricultural products. The total Japanese food and beverage market was valued at an estimated $788 billion in 2019, with the retail sector accounting for $483 billion and the food service sector accounting for $305 billion. The United States exported $11.7 billion in agricultural products to Japan in 2019. There are tremendous opportunities for U.S. exporters willing and able to follow the strict Japanese product regulations and keep up with the latest trends in this market. Under the U.S. – Japan Free Trade Agreement (effective January 1, 2020) nearly 90 percent of U.S. food and agricultural imports into Japan are either duty free or receive preferential tariff access. Serbia: FAIRS Country Report This report provides information on Serbian regulations and standards concerning food, agriculture, agricultural products and foreign trade. It includes information on labeling, packaging, food additives and import procedures. In 2020, Serbia did not adopt any new laws or amendments. Most Serbian laws have been harmonized with European Union (EU) regulations. In 2020, Serbia adopted more than seventy by-laws that include different rules and ordinances. As with the rest of the world, Serbia has been fighting the COVID-19 pandemic as it has negatively impacted Serbia's economy and society, including food and agriculture production. Serbia's agriculture sector has weathered most of the effects of the pandemic because of its high stocks of agricultural goods, good climatic conditions this winter, good conditions for spring planting, excellent winter and spring crop yields and the most developed food processing industry in the region. Serbia: FAIRS Export Certificate Report   This report provides guidance on the certificate requirements for agricultural and food products exported to Serbia and includes the certificates that are recognized by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management (MAFWM) in Serbia and the relevant U.S. authorities (U.S. Department of Agriculture/Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture/Food Safety and Inspection Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture/ Agricultural Marketing Service, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration). Thailand: Rice Price - Weekly   Rice export prices further increased 1 percent due mainly from the further strengthening of the Thai baht. Ukraine: Ukraine' Radiation Contamination MRLs Ukraine adopted Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs) for 137 Cesium and 90 Strontium back in 2006. Post is unaware of trade problems associated with those indicators however appropriate MRLs remain compulsory for all imported products. In 2020 Ukraine included these MRLs into the list of regulatory documents with which imports must comply.   For more information, or for an archive of all FAS GAIN reports, please visit gain.fas.usda.gov/.     Update your subscriptions, modify your password or email address, or stop subscriptions at any time on your Subscriber Preferences Page. You will need to use your email address to log in. If you have questions or problems with the subscription service, please visit subscriberhelp.govdelivery.com. This service is provided to you at no charge by USDA Foreign Agricultural Service. This email was sent to ooseims.archieves@blogger.com using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: USDA Foreign Agricultural Service · 1400 Independence Avenue, SW · Washington, DC 20250