GAIN Reports from Thursday, January 28, 2021

The following Global Agricultural Information Network (GAIN) reports were released on Thursday, January 28, 2021.   El Salvador: e-Commerce flourishes with COVID-19 Two years ago, Salvadoran consumers had few options for online purchases. Due to the pandemic, Salvadoran retailers had to quickly adapt and revamp their online platforms to reach consumers through apps or websites. These changes affected a wide swath of the consumer-oriented products and services sectors. This report highlights those new e-commerce players and how distribution channels have evolved. European Union: European Commission Authorizes 8 GE Crops for Import On January 22, 2021, the European Commission (EC) approved five genetically engineered (GE) crops (three corn and two soybeans) and renewed the authorization for three corn crops used for food and feed. The EC approves groups of events twice a year - during the December holiday season and in midsummer. These were the eight events remaining at the end of last year that were not yet authorized by the Commission. The eight authorizations and renewals were published in the European Union's Official Journal on January 26, 2021, and they remain valid for 10 years. Indonesia: FAIRS Country Report This report provides updated technical information for requirements and regulations on food and agriculture products as are currently required by the Government of Indonesia (GOI). Sections that have been updated this year include food additive regulations, labeling requirements, other requirements, regulations and registrations measures, import procedures, alongside the appendices and a section on trade facilitation has also been added. Indonesia: FAIRS Export Certificate Report This report supplements information provided in the 2020 Indonesia FAIRS Country Report and updates the 2019 Indonesian FAIRS Export Certificate Report. New Zealand: New Zealand and China Sign FTA Upgrade On January 26, 2021, New Zealand and China signed an Upgrade to the 2008 Free Trade Agreement (FTA). For New Zealand, the FTA Upgrade retains all existing tariff reduction schedules for exports of goods to China. It also provides for additional tariff elimination on 12 wood and paper products over a 10-year implementation period. In addition to these tariff reductions, other areas that are covered in the FTA Upgrade and that apply to agricultural products include: technical barriers to trade; e-commerce; customs procedures; cooperation and trade facilitation; and rules of origin.  Vietnam: Rice Trade - Monthly This report provides trade data on Vietnam's monthly rice exports by grade and destination and weekly export quotes for rice by grade.   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