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Japan’s Ministry of the Environment opened public comment period on proposed revisions of the Basic Policy of the Green Procurement Act. One proposed change includes greater emphasis in government procurement decisions on the greenhouse gas emission value of goods and services. Comments must be submitted in Japanese by December 6, 2022.

Morocco notified G/SPS/N/MAR/89 on October 27, 2022. The notification concerns Morocco’s list and limits of food additives authorized for use in primary products and food products, as well as the information to be displayed on their packaging. Comments are due no later than December 25, 2022. An unofficial translation is included in this report.

On March 30, 2022, Japan’s Consumer Affairs Agency (CAA) released guidelines, which provides examples of an improper use of “No Food Additive Used”. The present report contains a provisional translation of the guidelines.

Effective February 1, 2023, Hong Kong will ban cannabidiol (CBD) products. The newly amended regulation will prohibit the manufacture, import, export, supply, sale, possession and transshipment of any products containing CBD in the city, regardless of quantity.

ATO Hosts First U.S. Industry Visit in Two Years; Three International Events Show Hong Kong is Open for Business; Consumer Prices Rise in September; Hong Kong Remains in a Recession; Business Expectations for the Fourth Quarter Improve; Thailand Launches and Promotes Thai Select; Hong Kong Further Relaxes Dining Rules...

Japan imports approximately 2.6 million metric tons of forage annually, primarily from the United States, Australia, China, and Canada. Japanese importers have diversified suppliers and sought new products to help meet challenges posed by surging international prices and ongoing logistical challenges.

Grape production in Peru is forecast to reach 766,000 metric tons (MT) in marketing year (MY) 2022/2023, an increase of seven percent compared to the previous year. Domestic consumption of fresh grapes is forecast at 186,000 MT in MY 2022/2023, a six percent increase from MY 2021/22. Peruvian grape exports are forecast to reach a record of 586,000 MT in MY 2022/2023, eight percent higher than the previous year. The United States will continue to be the lead export market.

China’s apple and pear production is expected to drop by 11 percent and 5 percent, respectively, on year to 41 MMT and 17.85 MMT in MY 2022/23, because of weather abnormalities and farmers reducing acreage of bearing trees. Table grape production is estimated to continue increasing by 5 percent to 12.6 MMT on improved crop management. Apple imports will likely rebound strongly due to consumer demand for new varieties developed by major suppliers. Table grape imports will further decline because of the improved quantity and quality of domestic supplies.

This report contains Post’s production estimates for marketing year (MY) 2022/23, as well as final export numbers for MY2021/22. Production is down sharply as a result of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the impact on agriculture. Domestic consumption for all grains (both feed and food) went down as a combination of migration out of the country, decreased disposable incomes, and destroyed animal production facilities in the areas of military activity.

In marketing year (MY) 2022/23, FAS Santiago estimates that table grape production will decrease by 7.1 percent reaching 732,000 metric tons (MT) and exports will decrease by 7.1 percent, totaling 565,000 metric tons.

The impact of the COVID-19 on the Israeli hotel, restaurant, and institutional (HRI) sector was nothing short of devastating. According to the Israeli Central Bureau of Statistics, accommodation and foodservice activities declined by forty percent in 2020. The sector started to recover during 2021, and it is expected to recover, with a return to pre-COVID-19 sales by 2023.

The Dominican Republic (DR) continues to ban and/or restrict U.S. poultry exports from states with any type of detection of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), regardless of the outbreak being reported as poultry or non-poultry.