GAIN Reports from Wednesday, January 22, 2020

The following Global Agricultural Information Network (GAIN) reports were released on Wednesday, January 22, 2020   France: New French Pesticide Buffer Zone Regulation Angers French Farmers and NGOs After months of debate, in December 2019 France announced required no-pesticide buffer zones between treated crops and inhabited areas. This zoning angers French farmers who see their livelihood threatened and NGOs who feel the new regulations do not go far enough. The policy will likely further erode the competitiveness of French agriculture and widen the divide between French farmers and rural-non-farmers and urban consumers.         Portugal: Retail Foods 2019 In 2018, U.S. exports of agriculture, fish and forest products to Portugal doubled from the previous year to $358 million. Portugal's positive macroeconomic environment in the post-crisis recovery has improved prospects for U.S. exporters to this market. The retail sector continues to consolidate its position and importance in the country. According to industry sources, food retail sales increased 2.8 percent in volume compared to previous year. In addition, the entrance of new retail players, such as Spanish powerhouse retailer Mercadona, will likely increase demand for food imports, and open new opportunities for U.S. exporters.      South Korea: DPRK Food Grains Situation Update in MY 2018-19 In MY 2018/19, total production of grain and other crops (grain-equivalent basis for potatoes) dropped 12 percent from the previous marketing year to an estimated 4.9 million metric tons (equivalent to 4.17 million metric tons in milled basis for rice, and cereal equivalent basis for soybeans). The production decrease was driven by prolonged dry spells, abnormally high temperatures, floods, and limited supplies of agricultural inputs. Rice production declined to 2.38 million metric tons on a paddy basis (1.4 MMT, milled), down 12 percent from the previous year. Meanwhile, corn production declined to 1.9 million metric tons, down 15 percent due to lower acreage in tandem with lower yields than the previous year. Target consumption of grains and other crops on a grain equivalent basis for MY 2018/19 is estimated at 5.76 million metric tons. Imports and food aid for MY 2018/19 are forecast around 400,000 metric tons, coming almost exclusively from China.    Taiwan: Exporter Guide Taiwan is the eighth largest market for U.S. food and agricultural products. In 2018, Taiwan imported $4.06 billion of food and agricultural commodities (including edible fishery products) from the United States. Because of these successes, Taiwan is full of opportunities for U.S. food and agricultural suppliers. This report is a practical guide for U.S. food exporters interested in marketing and shipping products to Taiwan.        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 stevenmagallanes520.nims@blogger.com using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: USDA Foreign Agricultural Service · 1400 Independence Avenue, SW · Washington, DC 20250