Agricultural trade highlights

22 Pages·1995·1.7 MB·English

by  United States. Foreign Agricultural Service

Historic, Archive Document
Do not assume content reflects current
scientific knowledge, policies, or practices.

CUh V'lOOi
United States Agricultural Trade
Department of
Agriculture
Highlights
Foreign
Agricultural
Service
Circular Series
ATH 9 95
September 1995
Exports Rise 20 Percent in June broad-based with exports rising in 13
of 15 product groups. Chilled and
Corn, Oilseed Products and Red Meats Lead frozen red meat exports increased $112
million accounting for half of the entire
gain in this category. A steady rise in
-June Comparisons—
sales to Japan is the major factor.
During the first 9 months of fiscal
1995, consumer food exports totaled
$13.8 billion, up 16 percent from the
same period last year.
At $190 million in June, U.S edible
fish and seafood exports rose 10
percent over the same month last year.
Although gains were broad-based,
exports of whole and eviscerated
salmond accounted for nearly 90
percent of the entire gain. Fish and
seafood exports finished the first nine
months of fiscal 1995 at $2.1 billion,
Billion dollars up 10 percent from the same period
last year.
The latest U.S. trade statistics released coarse grains exports accounted for
on August 17 confirm that exports of over 90 percent of the growth in the U.S. forest product exports rose to
U.S. agricultural, fish and forest entire category, and reflects sharply $688 million in June, up 20 percent
products remain on a strong upward higher com sales to several countries, from the same month last year. Log
growth curve. In June, the value of particularly Korea. Export values for shipments accounted for 71 percent of
their combined exports totaled $4.8 cotton and tobacco were down more the growth. During the first nine
billion, or 20 percent higher than the than 30 percent each from year-earlier months of fiscal 1995, forest product
June 1994 level. Agricultural exports levels. During the first nine months of exports were up 9 percent over year-
alone totaled $4 billion, also up 20 fiscal 1995, bulk commodity exports ago levels to reach $5.6 billion.
percent over year-ago levels, and all totaled $18.6 billion, up 31 percent
three product categories showed over the same period last year with all
increases. Fish and forest product commodity groups registering gains.
exports totaled $878 million, up 18
percent over the same month last year. U.S. exports of intermediate products
Inside This Issue...
reached $823 million in June, up 25
June’s performance leaves U.S. exports percent from the same month last year.
Page
of agricultural, fish and forest products Nine of the 11 product groups rose
at $48.7 billion for the first nine with the largest gains recorded by Consumer Food Highlights . 3
months of fiscal 1995, up 21 percent soybean oil, other vegetable oils, and Country Spotlight:
over the same period last year. feeds and fodders. Live animals and European Union ....... 5
Agricultural products remain the best sweeteners and beverage bases were
Trade Policy and
performers to date, rising 23 percent to the only products that recorded lower
$41.1 billion. U.S. fish and forest sales. During the first nine months of Market Updates ...... 8
product exports reached $7.7 billion, fiscal 1995, intermediate product U.S. Agricultural Exports:
up 9 percent from the same period last exports were up 22 percent to $8.6 By Commodity Type ... 13
year. billion, and are solidly positioned to
By Commodity Group . . 14
break last year's record of $9.3 billion.
At $1.5 billion in June, U.S. exports of By Region . 15
bulk commodities were up 23 percent Despite continued slow sales to Foreign Exchange Rates . . 16
over the same month last year. Seven Mexico, U.S. exports of consumer-
of the nine commodity groups rose oriented products totaled $1.6 billion
with the largest gains recorded by in June, a 15-percent increase over the
coarse grains. A 96-percent gain in same month last year. Gains were
U.S. Agricultural, Fish and Wood Export Summaries
m
October-June and Latest Month Comparisons ■
fy’94 fy'95
Product Summary
-Year-to-date-- -Latest month-
Horticultural prods. Horticultural prods. +8%
Soybeans & products Soybeans & products
Livestock products Livestock products
Wood products 1/ Wood products 1/
Coarse grains Coarse grains
Wheat & Hour Wheat & flour
Cotton Cotton
Fish & Seafoods 1/ Fish & Seafoods 1/
Tobacco Tobacco
Rice Rice
40 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900
Billion dollars Million dollars
Top Ten Markets Summary
-Latest month-
-Year-to-date-
+2b%
+9%
+20%
0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 1,000
Million dollars
Note: Percentages are computed as the change from a year ago.
Trade Highlights-2 September 1995 TEAD/FAS [phone]
Consumer Food Highlights
U.S. consumer food exports totaled $8.9 billion during the first half have been even more impressive if not
of calendar 1995, up 13.5 percent over the same period a year for a 50 percent decline in the value of
shipments to Mexico, the second most
earlier. Twelve of the 16 consumer food categories recorded
important export market.
increased exports, with fresh, frozen, and chilled red meat leading the
way with a gain of nearly $400 million. Poultry meat, fresh Snack foods have the dubious
distinction of being one of the four
vegetables, and processed fruit and vegetables continue to be
consumer food categories whose export
exceptionally strong consumer food category performers. performance is falling below year
earlier levels. Export value during the
first half of 1995 is estimated at $470
Export value for U.S. red me at export destination, taking $242 million million, down nearly 6 percent. The
shipments (fresh, frozen, and chilled) this year. Export sales to Hong Kong drop largely is attributed to a sharp
reached $1.9 billion in the first six also are up markedly. Export value for decline in sales to the Russian
months of 1995, up 25 percent over the poultry meat sales to both of these key Federation. Although not sufficient to
same period in 1994. This represents markets is likely to exceed the record offset the overall decline in exports,
the most important consumer food levels set last year. Like other sales to Brazil have jumped markedly to
category, with exports of no other consumer food items, sales to Mexico a record $10 million
grouping exceeding $1 billion. Red have slumped in recent months, while
meat export value continues at a strong exports to Japan and Canada are The value of wine and beer exports
pace to Japan, the number one overseas roughly unchanged from a year ago. during the January to June 1995 period
market, with shipments exceeding $1.2 Notable sales gains were made in new totaled $299 million, up 22 percent over
billion. Exports to Korea surged in markets, including Colombia, Finland, 1994. A sharp increase in export
June while sales to the Russian Estonia, Saudi Arabia, and China. volumes to Taiwan, Hong Kong, Brazil,
Federation now stand at a record $92 and the United Kingdom is propelling
million. Exports of pet food (dog and cat food) the increase in export value.
in calendar 1995 are estimated at $314
Fresh fruit exports totaled $980 million million, 15 percent above the first half
for the first six months of 1995, up 4.7 of 1994. Sales to Japan remain strong
percent over the same period in 1994. as this outlet has overtaken Canada as
The improved performance largely is the number one export market. Exports For more information, contact
attributed to heavier citrus volumes. to the EU-15 total nearly $76 million David Rosenbloom at [phone].
Shipments to Canada, traditionally the and are on target to exceed last year's
most important market for fresh fruit, record sales volume.
are running essentially unchanged from
year earlier levels. Fresh fruit sales to Export value for fruit and vegetable
Mexico, the fourth largest outlet in juices during the first half of calendar
1994, have fallen sharply due to a drop 1995 reached $335 million, up from
in purchasing power brought on by the $260 million during the same period in
devaluation of the Mexican currency. 1994. Citrus juice sales to Canada, the
Sales to Japan, however, are running EU-15, and Japan are up markedly.
sharply ahead of last year's record U.S. orange juice exports are running at
setting pace. a record pace thanks to a larger U.S.
output and reduced availabilities in
Exports of processed fruit and Brazil, the world’s leading exporter.
vegetables during the first half of 1995 Sales to Europe are benefitting from an
reached $932 million, 18.5 percent increased demand for higher quality,
ahead of the same period in 1994. not from concentrate juice.
Increased exports to the EU-15 and
Japan are responsible for the enhanced Thanks largely to continued heavy sales
export value. Sales of sweet com and to the Russian Federation and Japan,
tomato products figure prominently in exports of prepared and preserved red
the export picture. meat during the first six months of
1995 reached $122 million, 8 percent
Poultry exports during the first six above 1994. Both of these markets are
months of 1995 totaled $884 million, projected to exceed the record export
up 25 percent over 1994. The Russian levels recorded in 1994. Performance
Federation continues to be the leading in this consumer food category would
TEAD/FAS [phone] September 1995 Trade Highlights - 3
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Trade Highlights - 4 September 1995 TEAD/FAS [phone]
Country Spotlight: European Union
The terms "European Union" and "Single Market" may invoke images between meals, especially among the
of twelve European marketplaces, each a clone of the other. Nothing younger population in the more affluent
EU countries.
could he further from the truth! Although considerable progress has
been made since the mid 1980s, especially to facilitate the movement Almonds, walnuts and pistachios are the
of goods, American companies should note each member state market biggest sellers in the tree nuts category,
but they face competition from local
retains some distinct characteristics despite the shift of competencies
production in the Mediterranean
toward EU institutions. Companies also will find EU marketplaces countries. Tire walnut market in the
with strong competitors, and quality and performance will generally EU is seasonal, with most imports
occurring in the October-January period.
play a greater role than price in purchase decisions.
As part of the Uruguay Round results,
the EU will cut the tariff on roasted
by Dave Pendlum
almonds by 36 percent.
U.S. exports of pet foods to the EU
With 34X million consumers, the EU is Switzerland, South Africa, and
have been negatively affected by the
the world's largest importer of Argentina all hold a 4-5 percent share
continued slump in the European
agricultural products, accounting for of the EU import market for this
economies, but the long-term prospects
roughly 20 percent of total world product category.
remain bright. Increased competition
imports. The EU is the second largest
from local producers can be expected.
market for U.S. agricultural exports. Promising Products
Per capita consumption of beer and
Global branding and further integration While the EU is a mature market for
wine is falling. The drop in beer
of European markets is producing a many U.S. agricultural products,
consumption is in part due to the
more homogenous food and drink potential for further growth is promising
decline in males in the 15-29 age range.
market, but important national differ¬ m selected product categories, primarily
Brands that can appeal to the female
ences in consumption trends remain. consumer-oriented products. With a few
market, such as light beer, should be
Nevertheless, certain trends are evident exceptions, notably rice and tallow, the
able to overcome the consumption drop.
throughout the EU: greater demand for long-term trend within the bulk and
Prospects appear best for premium beer
convenience foods, more openness to intermediate product categories suggest
and wine products. Competition is
non-traditional foods, and a growing stagnant or declining market
strongest from local suppliers.
interest in health foods and organically opportunities. Between 1990 and 1994,
grown foods. bulk commodity exports declined by
Orange juice and grapefruit juice are by
$500 million (from $3.4 billion in 1990
far the biggest U.S. performers in the
U.S. Market Share to $2.9 billion in 1994) and
fruit juice sector. The primary compe¬
intermediate product exports remained
tition comes from Brazil and Israel The
As of 1993 (latest data available on all relatively flat at $2.1 billion.
EU will make a 36-percent cut in the
countries), the U.S. share of the EU
tariff for single strength orange juice as
market stood at 21 percent for btdk and In contrast. U.S. consumer-oriented
part of its Uruguay Round commit¬
intermediate products and 9 percent for product exports during the same period
ments.
consumer-oriented high value products. rose from $1.5 billion in 1990 to a
The United States faces the strongest record $2.0 billion in 1994. While
U.S. poultry meat exports to the EU
competition for U.S. agricultural prospects for different products vary
have doubled in the past five years,
products from EU intratrade. from country to country within the ELI.
rising from $27 million in 1990 to $54
items showing the strongest growth
million in 1994. The biggest increase
UN data indicate Brazil is the leading trends across all countries are snack
in demand has come from Greece,
third-country competitor in all three foods; tree nuts; pet foods; beverages,
increasing from only $X92,000 in 1990
major product categories. Other including beer, wine, distilled spirits,
to nearly $14 million in 1994.
significant third-country competitors and mineral water; fruit juices; poultry
Reductions in tariff rates following
for the EU's bulk commodity trade are meat; and nursery products.
passage of the Uruguay Round of
Argentina, Canada, and China.
GATT puts U.S. poultry meat exporters
Significant third-country players in the Increasing EU demand for chips is a
in a more competitive position in terms
intermediate product trade include major contributing factor to the three¬
of price, and may result in further gains
Argentina, Australia, Indonesia, and fold expansion in snack food exports in
in market share in the EU in coming
Malaysia. The list is more extensive the past five years. This is reflective
years.
for the consumer-oriented high-value of shifts in dietary patterns towards
trade. Thailand, New Zealand, Turkey, more convenience foods and snacking
TOAD/FAS [phone] September 1995 Trade Highlights 5
-
...European Union
U.S. nursery product exports to the EU struction) contributes another 34 per¬ characteristics that merits individual
continue to do well despite the recent cent, leaving agriculture with about 3 attention. Germany has the largest
economic slump. Germany is the percent. As with most features of the economy, accounting for 24 percent of
world's largest market for interior house EU, there is considerable variation the EU's GDP, followed by France (19
plants. Cut foliage has been doing well among member states. For example, in percent), Italy (18 percent) and the
in the Netherlands. Germany, industry is almost 40 percent United Kingdom (16 percent). Nominal
of value-added, while in Greece and per capita income for the EU as a
Infrastructure/Distribution Ireland, agriculture contributes more whole is about 16,000 ECU ($19,000),
than 10 percent. ranging from about 135 percent of the
Tire EU's infrastructure is excellent and average in Denmark, the Netherlands
business travel is generally easy. Tire Trade Policy/Liberalization and Western Germany to less than 70
EU's port, railway, road, and air percent in Spain (69.5), Ireland (68.7),
infrastructure are among the world’s The Uruguay Round of GATT will Portugal (46.3) and Greece (37.5).
most modern. As a logical consequence result in some liberalization of EU trade
of the distinct character of each national policy restrictions designed to protect The EU's 348 million people are
market, market penetration is enhanced the home market. Variable levies were concentrated mainly in Germany (81
by use of agents and distributors. An the basic fonn of import protection that million), and Italy, the United
important point to note is the laws the EU used in the agriculture sector to Kingdom, and France, each with
governing the relationships between protect high internal prices. With the approximately 58 million people. The
agents/distributors and manufacturers/ implementation of the Uruguay Round, population is more than a third larger
suppliers are being harmonized at the non-tariff barriers, including variable than the United States, but is squeezed
EU level. Tins should make it easier levies, were converted to tariff into air area one-fourth the size.
for American agribusiness to sell to EU equivalents and will be reduced by an Consequently population densities are
customers. average of 36 percent over 6 years. much higher: 145 people per square
kilometer (km.) in the EU, versus 27 in
Economic Overview EU institutions have launched several the United States.
initiatives aimed at harmonizing
The overall size of the EU economy in national legislation to reduce Conclusion
1993 was 5.6 trillion ECU (about $6.7 discrepancies among member states in
trillion), compared to $6.1 trillion for product labelling, language use, legal While the EU is rightfully viewed as a
the United States. Private consumption guarantees, and liability. Manufacturers mature market for U.S. agricultural
accounts for 63 percent of the EU's and suppliers within and outside the EU exports in the aggregate sense, it is still
gross domestic product (GDP), while should be aware of existing and a very large and affluent market that
gross fixed capital formation contr¬ upcoming legislation affecting sales, should not be overlooked by U.S.
ibutes 20.3 percent, and government services, and customer support. exporters looking to expand foreign
consumption supplies an additional 17 sales. Passage of the Uruguay Round
percent. Total current expenditures by Of particular importance to U.S. of GATT is a major positive develop¬
the public sector represent 51 percent of agribusiness is labelling legislation and ment which will enhance the U.S.
GDP, compared to current receipts of language use. A number of nutrition, competitive position in the EU for
46 percent. pricing, and information labelling rules many agricultural products. Continuing
have been adopted not only to facilitate trends toward globalization in the world
In the external sector, the average ratio the free movement of goods, but also economy will undoubtedly be an
of exports of goods and services to with the view of better informing and additional positive factor for the U.S.
GDP for the 12 member states in 1993 protecting the consumer. The use of exporter in the European marketplace in
was 26.6 percent, while imports of language on labels has been the subject coming years.
goods and services equaled 26.5 of a Commission communication, the
percent. Most of this trade, however, gist of which is to encourage The author is Branch Chief, Inter¬
was among the member states. Exports multilingual information, while national Economic and Financial
of goods to the rest of the world were preserving the freedom of member Analysis Branch, FAS. Tel: (202) 720-
8.5 percent of GDP, and imports were states to require the use of language of 1293.
9.5 percent of GDP. the country of consumption.
Like the United States, the EU Demographic/Income Profile
economy is heavily weighted toward the
service sector, which provides about 63 The demographic and income profile of
percent of the value-added in the the EU is a differentiated one, with
economy. Industry (including con¬ each member state having unique
Trade H ighlights - 6 September 1995 TEAD/FAS [phone]
U.S. Exports of Agricultural, Fish & Wood Products to the EU -15
Calendar Years 1990 to 1995 and Year-to-Date Comparisons ($1,000)
Calendar Years January-June %
Product 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1994 1995 Chg
Bulk Agricultural Total 3,420,621 3,240,064 3,353,711 3,037,087 2,920,764 1,360,719 1,957,138 43.8%
Wheat 105,982 68,943 65,743 82,372 58,736 6,247 31,516 404.5%
Coarse Grains 352,988 314,842 191,564 157,979 232,835 178,067 248,892 39.8%
Rice 112,343 104,819 94,432 101,816 136,792 59,670 35,805 -40.0%
Soybeans 1,433,158 1,464,931 1,735,256 1,785,418 1,573,423 664,409 1,074,675 61.7%
Cotton 458,948 * 338,018 205,945 116,734 102,713 61,672 94,718 53.6%
Tobacco 669,603 660,725 723,819 496,486 499,663 268,805 299,591 11.5%
Pulses 92,183 97,778 79,162 83,049 86,126 33,440 39,252 17.4%
Peanuts 124,928 106,448 146,359 118,118 98,268 32,912 75,731 130.1%
Other Bulk Commodities 70,488 83,559 111,431 95,115 132,207 55,498 56,957 2.6%
Intermediate Agricultural Total 2,112,222 2,200,888 2,263,968 2,092,011 2,052,743 965,835 1,199,768 24.2%
Wheat Flour 251 109 265 736 1,503 934 102 -89.1%
Soybean Meal 64,598 51,488 146,257 189,526 94,150 52,369 122,580 134.1%
Soybean Oil 127 91 39 2,438 5,097 2,313 2,431 5.1%
Other Vegetable Oils 84,396 91,366 120,091 * 62,289 78,421 23,021 37,874 64.5%
Feeds & Fodders (excl. pet foods) 957,722 952,860 958,812 897,504 859,346 441,565 493,496 11.8%
Live Animals 188,671 217,728 * 139,084 131,233 118,458 30,999 20,017 -35.4%
Hides & Skins 97,941 79,101 70,593 63,028 103,892 54,282 56,932 4.9%
Animal Fats 39,562 50,837 113,577 102,437 124,054 55,226 66,532 20.5%
Planting Seeds 237,175 278,930 * 242,772 194,612 203,903 94,780 129,i90 36.3%
Sugars, Sweeteners & Sever. Bases 45,786 27,822 25,342 25,992 30,494 13,392 25,128 87.6%
Other Intermediate Products 395,992 450,556 * 447,136 422,218 433,425 196,953 245,487 24.6%
Consumer-Oriented Agricultural Total 1,494,797 1,693,273 1,849,125 1,883,454 2,000,060 * 907,856 961,174 5.9%
Snack Foods (excluding nuts) 33,027 44,868 73,421 90,748 117,871 ★ 54,966 51,311 -6.6%
Breakfast Cereals & Pancake Mix 18,213 58,899 * 22,621 27,500 7,804 4,257 4,034 -5.2%
Red Meats, Chilled/Frozen 182,475 143,130 167,059 132,105 107,244 51,831 51,656 -0.3%
Red Meats, Prepared/Preserved 2,216 1,938 2,563 2,849 2,249 1,134 1,596 40.7%
Poultry Meat 27,154 33,746 47,928 41,889 53,653 * 22,203 26,663 20.1%
Dairy Products 23,747 26,024 45,895 * 31,681 31,755 17,612 14,060 -20.2%
Eggs & Products 6,396 11,596 16,289 * 15,439 16,160 8,085 7,882 -2.5%
Fresh Fruit 145,960 170,731 173,073 * 139,328 136,515 63,883 67,962 6.4%
Fresh Vegetables 27,440 35,834 35,360 26,667 29,667 17,328 14,504 -16.3%
Processed Fruit & Vegetables 310,792 346,724 346,892 * 329,111 334,323 143,442 195,324 36.2%
Fruit & Vegetable Juices 50,547 49,812 68,997 89,007 101,529 * 45,492 68,772 51.2%
Tree Nuts 450,521 473,200 465,917 479,188 590,783 ♦ 245,968 215,059 -12.6%
Wine and Beer 52,200 69,412 87,862 89,980 * 88,106 42,184 55,393 31.3%
Nursery Products & Cut Flowers 51,605 63,467 60,754 68,621 * 47,542 26,137 24,096 -7.8%
Pet Foods, Dog/Cat 43,887 64,237 83,824 119,202 140,563 * 65,722 75,656 15.1%
Other Consumer-Oriented Products 68,617 99,654 150,671 200,138 * 194,298 97,611 87,208 -10.7%
Wood Products Total 1,151,710 1,159,225 1,295,402 * 1,178,133 1,205,587 628,588 678,069 7.9%
Logs 88,932 77,617 77,590 70,333 91,682 54,513 55,028 0.9%
Lumber 601,753 657,014 713,136 * 625,808 647,774 343,005 344,171 0.3%
Plywood & Panel Products 358,370 298,407 382,025 356,340 384,314 * 187,176 234,555 25.3%
Other Wood Products 102,655 126,186 * 122,652 125,652 81,817 43,894 44,316 1.0%
Fish & Seafood Products Total (Edible) 375,532 459,688 462,758 * 352,108 346,937 148,037 153,118 3.4%
Salmon, Whole/Eviscerated 68,029 51,480 69,813 48,441 41,398 11,697 12,484 6.7%
Salmon, Canned 75,858 106,863 121,797 * 104,134 94,764 38,678 46,687 20.7%
Crab & Crabmeat 1,680 2,142 2,644 2,029 1,194 586 237 -59.6%
Surimi (fish paste) N/A N/A 3,505 3,833 6,447 * 2,564 2,228 -13.1%
Roe & Urchin 9,048 9,981 * 7,845 7,738 8,329 2,313 3,750 62.1%
Other Edible Fish & Seafood Products 220,917 289,222 * 257,154 185,932 194,805 92,199 87,732 -4.8%
Agricultural Product Total 7,027,640 7,134,225 7,466,804 7,012,552 6,973,567 3,234,410 4,118,080 27.3%
Agricultural, Fish & Wood Product Total 8,554,882 8,753,138 9,224,964 8,542,793 8,526,091 4,011,035 4,949,267 23.4%
Note: (') Highest export level since at least 1370; N/A = not available; NA = not applicable.
TEAD FAS (2021 720 12I)4 September 1995 Trade Highlights - 7
Trade Policy and Market Updates
Turkey May Import Turkey may need to import as much 1.5 million tons of wheat, compared to recent annual
1.5 Million Tons volumes of 600,000-700,000 tons. Despite recent privatization initiatives, the Turkish Grain
of Wheat Board (TMO) will be responsible for much of the additional buying, because its stocks have
been exhausted. Tire TMO will rely upon imports to fulfill its commitment to supply at least
300,000 tons to Azerbaijan. Imports also will assist in curbing rising market prices. Import
purchases of as much as 150,000 tons of U.S. wheat are anticipated in the weeks ahead. The
Turkish Government abolished the $20/ton import duty for private buyers in a further attempt
to dampen domestic prices.
Chilean Wheat High international prices resulted in Chilean wheat imports receiving a reduction from the
Imports Receive normal 11 percent duty. Under the Chilean price band system, a surtax is applied to imports
Duty Reduction when international prices are below the floor of the price band. Conversely, a reduction from
the normal duty comes into effect if international prices exceed the ceiling of the price band.
Usually, the calculation of the price band floor and ceiling results in the imposition of a surtax.
This represents the first time a duty reduction has been imposed for wheat imports since the
system was established in 1986. The first importation to benefit from the duty reduction was
a shipment of U.S. wheat which arrived in late August.
Japan Schedules Japan's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) announced that the Government
Minimum Access of Japan (GOJ) will hold tenders to import the remainder of its minimum access rice
Rice Purchases requirements between September and December of this year. Japan recently bought the first
2,500 tons (milled basis) of a required 379,000 tons under the semi-private Simultaneous
Buy/Sell (SBS) program. The second and final SBS tender-for 2,500 tons—will be held in
October 1995. The MAFF's Food Agency will hold four monthly tenders for the remaining
374,000 tons from September to December 1995. The GOJ also announced that approximately
100,000 tons of these imports will be used to fortify stocks. The Japanese press has indicated
that most of the imported rice will be used in the processed food industry as opposed to being
used for household consumption.
U.S. Corn Export U.S. com sales for delivery during the upcoming 1995/96 September/August com marketing year
Sales at Record have now surpassed 13 million tons, twenty-five percent of the current projected total export
level. This forward sales level is nearly double the previous ten year high for new crop sales
as of mid-August. The sales pace this year reflects the absence of competition from traditional
com export competitors. China has not been a competitive force since the end of 1994, and
Argentina will be unable to meet importer needs until their next harvest in February/March 1996.
Purchases of U.S. com by key Asian markets appear to indicate that there is little confidence in
China resuming a significant com export program in the early months following China's
November/December harvest.
Nine Pork Slaughtering As of July 1, nine slaughtering facilities have been approved for the export of fresh, chilled, or
Facilities Approved for frozen pork loins to the European Union. This landmark step in complying with stringent EU
EU Export import requirements is lauded as the dawning of a new age for U.S. pork producers. Prior to
this, U.S. slaughterhouses were only authorized to export offal and inedible parts for non-human
consumption, mainly to the European Union pet food industry.
Trade Highlights - 8 September 1995 TEAD/FAS [phone]