The following GAIN reports were released on November 18, 2021.
On October 27, 2021, China notified the National Food Safety Standard of Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) for 41 Veterinary Drugs in Food to the World Trade Organization (WTO) as G/SPS/N/CHN/1233. The deadline for comment submissions is December 26, 2021. The proposed date of entry into force is yet to be determined. Comments can be sent to WTO/SPS National Notification and Enquiry Center at sps@customs.gov.cn. Please note that these proposed limits will not come into force until China updates the National Food Safety Standard of Maximum Residue Limits for Veterinary Drugs in Foods (GB 31650-2019) (see GAIN report CH2019/0176). The report contains an unofficial translation of the draft MRLs that affects the meat/livestock, poultry, seafood, and apiculture sectors.
On November 12, 2021, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA) published its "Decision to Revise the Administrative Measures for the Safety Assessment of Agricultural GMOs" on its website. The publication is a draft for domestic comment and there has been no indication whether MARA will notify the amendment outside of China. The revisions change the nature of biosafety assessment from being on a "crop variety and event" basis to solely on an "event" basis. The change facilitates variety registration of the genetically engineered (GE) crop varieties for domestic cultivation and provides for the biosafety assessment of genetically engineered crops containing "stacked" traits. Deadline for submitting comments is December 12, 2021. This report provides an unofficial translation of the MARA publication.
In marketing year (MY) 2021/22, Post's revised Colombian coffee production forecast is down to 13.8 million bags (1 bag = 60 kilograms) green bean equivalent (GBE), due to potentially heavy rains from the La Niña weather phenomena that is projected to materialize towards the end of 2021 and the beginning of 2022. Revised coffee exports are forecast to remain unchanged at 13.5 million bags GBE, motivated by high international prices, while revised coffee imports are forecast to increase to 1.7 million bags to satisfy increasing demand as a result of Colombia's economic recovery. In MY 2020/21, Post's revised production estimate is down from 14.3 to 13.4 million bags GBE, primarily due to supply chain disruption and lower yields from adverse weather conditions. Revised coffee exports are down to 13.0 million bags GBE as a consequence of road blockades and unrest from the 45-day national protests that took place in May and June 2021.
Post estimates marketing year (MY) 2021/22 coffee production (October/September) at 5.53 million 60-kilogram bags. Unseasonal rains in November are expected to negatively impact Arabica crop yields and delay the harvest by at least two weeks, which will be offset by higher yields of Robusta leading to a six percent increase in overall coffee yields. Indian coffee prices continue to increase as rising export demand is stymied by shipping congestion/delays, limited container availability, and higher freight costs. Domestic consumption is estimated higher at 1.2 million 60-kilogram bags as growing home consumption of coffee is supported by a gradual reopening of restaurants, cafes, and the rest of the hospitality sector.
On September 29, 2021, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare/Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) issued Notification No. F. No. Std/SP-08/A-1.2021/N-01. The authority is amending the Food Safety and Standards (Labeling and Display) Regulations (2020), as it pertains to the clauses on labeling of pre-packaged foods. World Trade Organization (WTO) members are invited to comment on the proposed draft amendment; the timeline to provide comments is 60-days from the date of notification on the WTO website.
Coffee production is revised down slightly to 10.58 million (60 kilogram) bags in 2021/22 on lower yields due to unfavorable weather in northern Sumatera, as well as southern Sumatera's experiencing an off-crop year. Green bean exports are also revised down 9 percent to 5.9 million bags in 2021/22 on weaker than expected demand and supply chain issues. However, domestic consumption is revised up seven percent due to the easing of social distancing restrictions on cafes and restaurants.
FAS/Tokyo estimates an 18 percent reduction, to 1.8 million metric tons, in Japan's 2021 domestic fresh potato supply due to unfavorable weather in Hokkaido for two years in row. This reduction in domestic output will increase demand for potato imports, especially for frozen potato products, such as French fries.
The number of active African Swine Fever (ASF) outbreaks in Romania continues to remain high. At the end of October 2021, there was a 43 percent surge in the number of outbreaks from the same time in 2020. Commercial farms continue to be impacted directly when the virus is confirmed at the farm level, or indirectly by restrictions imposed on animal movement. The draft ASF surveillance and control action plan is still pending the Romanian government's approval.
The Philippine Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) on November 10, 2021 issued Revenue Memorandum Circular No. 112-2021, clarifying that all imported unprocessed fruits and vegetables are exempt from the 12 percent value-added tax. The VAT exemption includes fruits and vegetables that more recently gained market access, such as fresh blueberries. The circular also clarifies that BIR no longer requires the issuance of an Authority to Release Imported Goods prior to release from the custody of the Bureau of Customs.
Posts revised its forecast of Vietnam coffee production for marketing year 2021/2022 (MY21/22) up to 31.1 million bags, green bean equivalent (GBE), on improved weather conditions that supported yields. MY20/21 Vietnam coffee exports declined by 9 percent year-over-year to 24.77 million bags, according to Vietnam Customs. Post also revised the MY21/22 coffee export forecast down to 25.8 million bags considering on-going logistical difficulties. Post estimates MY20/21 stock at 3.81 million bags, and forecasts that MY21/22 stock will rise to 6.58 million bags due to high carry-over and potential higher production.
The Government of Vietnam (GVN) issued Decree 101/2021/ND-CP on November 15, 2021, revising Most-Favored-Nation (MFN) tariff rates on corn, wheat, pork, and planting seeds. Vietnam will eliminate the MFN duty for all classes of wheat and select planting seeds, lower the MFN corn tariff to two percent, and lower the frozen pork tariff to ten percent. The corn, wheat, and planting seeds tariffs will go into effect on the same date the Decree enters into force, December 30, 2021, while the lower tariff rate for frozen pork will be effective on July 1, 2022.
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