GAIN Reports from Friday, October 30, 2020

The following Global Agricultural Information Network (GAIN) reports were released on Friday, October 30, 2020.          Angola: Agricultural Biotechnology Annual   Angola currently does not allow the use of agricultural biotechnology in production, and imports containing genetically engineered (GE) components are limited to food aid. In December 2004, the Council of Ministers approved Decree No. 92/04 restricting the use of biotechnology in Angola as a provisional measure pending the establishment of a comprehensive National Biosafety System capable of properly controlling the importation, entry, use, and eventual production of GE organisms in the country.   Argentina: Raisin Annual Argentina's raisin production is forecast to remain stable in CY 2021 at 44,000 metric tons (MT) due to favorable weather conditions. Exports are forecast at 38,000 MT. Local exporters struggle to remain competitive in export markets due to various economic factors, such as high inflation and unstable exchange rates. The coronavirus pandemic created a slight increase in domestic consumption, as Argentinians prepared more at-home foods due to a strict and lengthy lockdown. Carry over stocks will be higher as commercialization was reduced during quarantine.  European Union: EU Parliament and Council Move Forward on Landmark EU Climate Law On March 4, 2020, the European Commission published the founding legislative proposal of the EU Green Deal: the EU Climate Law. The proposed regulation sets a legally binding EU-wide common target of net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050 as well as a reduction on GHG emissions of 55 percent by 2030. The European Parliament has adopted its position on the proposed text, while the Member States are still finalizing their own position. Further work is needed in order for the three institutions to reach agreement on the 2030 targets.  Ghana: Agricultural Biotechnology Annual   Submission of the application for environmental release of Ghana's first genetically engineered (GE) product, Bt cowpea, to the National Biosafety Authority (NBA) for approval is still pending, and the dossier for Nitrogen Use Efficient (NUE) rice is expected to be complete by the second quarter of 2021.  India: Cotton and Products Update   Post estimates cotton production at 29.3 million 480-lb bales in marketing year (MY) 2020/21 on an area of 13 million hectares. Heavy rains in central and southern India are expected to impact cotton quality and overall yields. The minimum support price procurement for the new crop has commenced. Fiber prices have improved due to a sharp rise in exports of cotton and cotton products, which has increased cotton use, estimated at 22.7 million 480 lb. bales. Tanzania: Biotechnology and Other New Production Technologies Annual   The Government of Tanzania uses a conservative, precautionary approach to manage genetically engineered (GE) products in the country. Due to the strict liability clause in the Biosafety Regulations of 2009, there are no GE products imported or commercialized in Tanzania. The regulation creates a de facto ban on GE products and otherwise suffers from many shortcomings, such as the lack of a sound scientific foundation, an inherent potential to distort regulatory priorities, and the relative ease with which it might be used to justify protectionist measures. Meanwhile, Tanzania has applied biotechnology in medicine, public health, industry, and other areas. Taiwan: Fresh Deciduous Fruit Annual   In MY 2019/2020, the United States was the leading supplier of apple exports to Taiwan, valued at $78 million and accounting for 31 percent market share. U.S. apple imports increased by 45 percent to 61,173 MT in MY2019/20 compared to the previous year, aided by positive quarantine changes in late 2019 and absence of delayed shipments during the COVID pandemic. In MY 2020/2021, total apple imports are forecast to increase slightly to 159,000 MT, while U.S. apple imports are projected stable at 62,000 MT. Thailand: Rice Price - Weekly   Rice export prices for most grades of rice increased 3-4 percent due to new inquiries for white and parboiled rice. 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. 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