GAIN Reports from May 27, 2022

The following GAIN reports were released on May 27, 2022. _______   China: Spanish-origin alfalfa hay pellets dominate Chinese consumption In 2021, Chinese imports of alfalfa pellets hit record levels of 52,254 metric tons (MT) and $13.66 million by value, increases of 62 percent and 70 percent respectively. The market is dominated by Spanish-origin pellets. This report provides information about the market for alfalfa pellets in China and Spanish competition in the sector.   Japan: Japan Revises Agricultural Export Facilitation Act On May 19, Japan's Diet approved the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries proposed revisions to the Agricultural Export Facilitation Act. The revisions allow product-specific industry groups to implement check-off systems and establishes a new fund to extend low-interest and long-term loans to producers, manufacturers and distributors to promote exports. The revised Act also establishes a system to allow private, MAFF-approved inspection bodies to issue export certificates.   Ukraine: Sugar Annual Marketing Year (MY) 2022/23 sugar production is forecast at 1.1 million metric tons (MMT), a 23 percent decrease compared to the previous MY estimate. Local sugar producers are constantly sandwiched between a gradually shrinking domestic market, which represents the lion's share of their consumers, and fluctuating world prices requiring accumulation of stocks. Armed conflict with Russia puts local sugar producers under even more strain in terms of ensuring production and exports.   Venezuela: Venezuelan Dairy Industry Trends and Outlook for 2022 Venezuelan milk production reached 1.5 billion litres in 2021, just a 2 percent increase from 2020. The formal dairy industry processed 12 percent of this output, only working at 20 percent of their capacity, due to the collapse of the market and Venezuelan consumers favoring artisanal cheeses. These products are produced primarily by the informal industry over industrial products and pasteurized milk. During 2022, FAS Caracas forecasts consumption to grow by 5% to 63 liters per capita due to the stabilization of the economy, lower inflation, adequate supply of dairy products, and growth in imports. Brazil remains the top supplier of dairy exports to Venezuela, followed by Colombia, the European Union, and the United States.   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