GAIN Reports from Wednesday, February 10, 2021

The following Global Agricultural Information Network (GAIN) reports were released on Wednesday, February 10, 2021.   China: Cold Chain Control Measures Expand Across South China Effective January 27, 2021, Guangzhou became the latest city to implement requirements for imported frozen food to pass through and test negative for COVID at a 'centralized supervision warehouse' within the city before being sold into the local market. The process, seen as largely duplicative, is part of cities' moves to be seen as vigilant, but adds costs and time for cold chain items bound for local consumption. An unofficial translation of the measure is provided in the report.  Croatia: Market Brief - Beer Croatia is a major European tourist destination and as such is an opportunity for U.S. craft beer exporters to position their product in a newly minted EU member state. U.S. craft beer exporters should focus their market entry efforts on Zagreb, the nation's capital, where niches exist for higher quality craft beers. Having an established EU hub importer would simplify entrance to the Croatian market.  European Union: Europe's Beating Cancer Plan Aims to Reduce Harmful Alcohol Consumption and Improve Access to Healthy Diets On February 3, 2021, the European Commission published its Europe's Beating Cancer Plan. Part of the plan includes actions to be taken by the EU and its Member States to increase cancer prevention across the Union. This includes reducing harmful alcohol consumption, improving access to healthy diets, a review of the EU promotion programs for agricultural products, a study on tax measures on sugars and soft drinks and the reduction of exposure to hazardous substances. Depending on how the recommendations are implemented, the new measures may affect U.S. exports of agricultural and food products. Guatemala: CAFTA-DR Tariff Line Classification Issue On December 18, 2020 the Guatemalan Ministry of Economy officially adopted the 6th Amendment of the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding Systems (HS) for international trade, via Ministerial Decree 934-2020. This brings the Guatemalan system in line with the latest HS codes and will eliminate confusion regarding application of preferential tariffs based on differing versions of the codes that had been used in the country  India: Grain and Feed Update India is set to achieve another record wheat harvest in marketing year (MY) 2021/22 (April-March) on record planting and favorable weather conditions during the current vegetative growth stage. FAS New Delhi (Post) is raising India's MY 2020/21 rice export forecast slightly higher to a record 14 million metric tons (MMT) on strong export demand, and calendar year (CY) 2020 export estimates to a record 14.7 MMT based on revised official data. Post is similarly raising India's MY 2020/21 wheat exports to 17.5 MMT, and consumption to 103.6 MMT, while ending stocks lowered to 27 MMT. Marketing year 2020/21 corn exports are raised to 1.8 MMT on improved export competitiveness of Indian corn in neighboring countries.  Nigeria: Exporter Guide The oil-rich Nigeria relies heavily on food and agricultural imports (mostly wheat, rice, poultry, fish, food services, consumer-oriented foods, etc.), valued about $10 billion to feed its more than 206 million people. Europe, Asia, USA, South America, and South Africa are the major competitors. However, low oil prices and the continuing consequences of the COVID-19 lockdown restrictions have continued to increase Nigeria's government debt. Currently, the economy is in a recession. To survive the recession, the government continues to borrow more as the economy struggles. This situation is unlikely to change in the short to medium term. Nigeria: Government of Nigeria approved National Biosafety Guideline on Gene Editing In December 2020, the Government of Nigeria through the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) authorized guidelines on gene editing. Nigeria takes this historic step in becoming the first country in Africa to issue gene editing guidelines. The government views science and technology as major drivers of agricultural productivity. The approved guidelines ensure that the technology is safe and does not have adverse impact on human health and the environment. Russia: Exporter Guide   COVID-19 had a strong impact on the Russian economy that changed consumer behavior. In January - July 2020, the GDP decline is estimated at 3.4 percent year-on-year. The Russian Ministry of Economic Development forecasts the Russian economy will recover in Q3 of 2021 due to citizen and business support measures, rising prices for oil, and mass vaccination from COVID-19. Food production and processing of agricultural products remains one of the drivers of economic growth. In JanuaryNovember 2020, production of food products increased by 3.9 percent and drinks by 1.3 percent year-on year. Russia's food processing industry continues to invest in new equipment and is expanding purchasing of ingredients, but looking for more competitive sources in terms of price ingredients. South Africa: Widespread Relief as South Africa Lifts Alcohol Ban but Uncertainty Remains On February 1, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa partially lifted the ban on the domestic transportation and sale of alcohol beverages. While the lifting of the alcohol ban has been met with widespread relief, there still remains uncertainty on how government could handle future alcohol bans. The impact of alcohol bans to the domestic liquor industry and associated supply chains has been substantial, and has placed the sustainability of these sectors at risk. Alcohol bans have also resulted in entrenched criminality and unfavorable trade between South African trading partners, including the United States. U.S. exports to South Africa decreased by 46 percent to US$11.6 million in 2020, and this may worsen if the South African government continues implementing ad hoc alcohol bans in 2021. South African wine comes into the United States duty free under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).   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. 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