GAIN Reports from Friday, February 5, 2021

The following Global Agricultural Information Network (GAIN) reports were released on Friday, February 5, 2021.   China: China Hastens Ag Import Diversification   For the last decade, China has embarked on a campaign to diversify its sources of agricultural imports in response to growing domestic demand. Diversification has afforded Chinese consumers with more food choices, while at the same time providing importers with more options in dealing with potential supply-side disruptions resulting from bilateral trade tensions or COVID. In contrast to the past, when the United States was among just a handful of suppliers, the United States now faces growing international competition in China. This competition will become even more fierce in the future as China widens its import base and domestic food and ag products become more sophisticated. In response to this tougher competition, U.S. exporters should consider taking steps to differentiate their products from the mainstream. China: China Notifies HPAI outbreak in Shandong Wild Swans On January 28, 2021, China's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA) notified the U.S. Embassy in Beijing that on January 19, 2021, China detected highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N8 subtype in wild swans in a nature park in Shandong Province. Shandong province is one of the largest poultry production provinces in China. China also notified this HPAI outbreak to the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) and is monitoring the situation.   Hong Kong: African Swine Fever Detected in a Hong Kong Pig Farm Following the detection of African Swine Fever (ASF) virus in six pigs of a local pig farm, the Hong Kong government ordered the culling of all 240 pigs shared in the same shed with the infected pigs. Jordan: Exporter Guide In 2020, Jordan's hotel, restaurant, and retail food sectors plunged into economic difficulties associated with Covid-19. The sector had been recovering and grew by 13.1% in 2019. The direct contribution of travel, tourism, and retail to the GDP in the second quarter of 2019 was 7% of GDP, expected to reach $3 billion in 2020. This forecast has died out due to the global and local lockdowns, curfews and travel restrictions. The latest official release of GDP growth was 2.2, although other economic observers have speculated a greater decline. The Government of Jordan has submitted an ambitious plan to reboot the economy, setting a goal of 1.2 percent GDP growth in 2021. The economic inactivity generated by industries such as hotels and restaurants, airlines, and other passenger transportation, has impacted trade. Agricultural imports from the U.S. in calendar year CY 2019 reached $231 million, and in 2020 (January-October) amounted to $167 million, down 8 percent compared to 2019 (January-October). Mexico: Mexico Front of Pack Requirements for Endorsed Products by Organizations and Associations This report intends to inform U.S. processed foods and non-alcoholic beverage companies interested in the Mexican market about updates to the new Front of Pack labeling modifications that was originally implemented on October 1, 2020 as the first phase of its three-phase implementation schedule. On April 1, 2021, another set of requirements will go into effect that regulates endorsements and claims by associations that affix their seals on product packaging, as well as nutritional recommendation legends. This report intends to provide the latest update on compliance to the standards. Poland: COVID-19 Outbreak on Polish Mink Farm On January 30, 2021, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) announced an outbreak of COVID-19 on a fur farm with 5,800 mink in the Pomerania province's Kartuzy county. This marks Poland's first COVID-19 outbreak among farmed mink. The National Veterinary Institute confirmed that four of 20 samples tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The Polish Veterinary Service (PVS) implemented its prescribed animal health protocols. On February 1, Poland's Minister of Health informed that all mink on affected farm will be culled.  Saudi Arabia: Barley Trade Quarterly   Saudi Arabia's MY 2020/21 barley imports are estimated at 6.2 Million Metric Tons (MMT), 18 percent below the USDA official estimate of 7.6 MMT. In November 2020, the Saudi government decreed to hand back the barley imports and distribution business to the private sector to purchase and sell barley at competitive prices. This trade liberalization is expected to take place at the end of March 2021. As a result, Post anticipates Saudi Arabia will significantly reduce the quantity of imported barley. Meanwhile, Saudi's revisions to its animal feed subsidy program in January 2020 policy is expected to also have a major impact on U.S. barley exports.  Thailand: Rice Price - Weekly Rice export prices increased 2 percent due to concerns about the strength of the Thai baht. Ukraine: Ukraine Establishes an Export Cap on Corn Ukraine established a 24 million metric ton (MMT) export cap for corn for the marketing year (MY)2020/21.   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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