Browse Data and Analysis

The cotton production forecast for 2024/25 has been revised downward to 5.2 million bales, with the area unchanged at 2 million hectares.

In 2023, Hong Kong did not have any policy changes to regulations pertaining to genetically engineered (GE) products. GE products are subject to the same food regulations of conventional foods.

Bite size local news, Post reports and activity summaries wrapped by ATO Hong Kong. In this issue: ATO Hong Kong launches Delicious USA 2024 with a record 51 restaurants offering Hong Kong and Macau patrons a chance to “Taste the Finest”...

Since the previous report, Taiwan has granted new approvals for imports of genetically engineered (GE) products for processing, food, and feed use. Taiwan has never permitted domestic production of GE crops or animals. In 2023, Taiwan imported close to $930 million of U.S. crops including soybeans, corn, and cotton, accounting for 25 percent of total U.S. agricultural exports to the island.

In 2024, the Pakistan government issued revised Biosafety Rules and Regulations, creating a system to request genetically engineered (GE) commodity imports for food, feed, and processing (FFP). As of mid-October 2024, importers had submitted several applications to import GE soybeans for FFP.

Taiwan imports over 135,000 MT apples annually with domestic supply less than one percent. Post expects that MY 2024/2025 Taiwan apple imports will return to 145,000 MT with domestic supply stable at 1250 MT.

Bite size local news, Post reports and activity summaries wrapped by ATO Hong Kong.

Starting in 2025, Taiwan will eliminate tariffs on liquid milk imports from New Zealand. Taiwan dairy farmers are worried about the future, as the primary dairy product in Taiwan is fresh milk, with only a small portion used for other dairy beverages or products.

On October 16 the Hong Kong Government (HKG) announced a significant reduction in the duty on imported alcoholic beverages with an alcohol content above 30 percent by volume.

Bite size local news, Post reports and activity summaries wrapped by ATO Hong Kong. In this issue: Consul General Greg May and ATO Hong Kong Open the USA Pavilion and Welcome U.S. Exhibitors at Asia Fruit Logistica 2024; The U.S. Dairy Export Council Showcases the Diversity of U.S. Cheese to Hong Kong Buyers...

Hong Kong’s food retail sales remained stable at $12.2 billion in 2023, however retailers face growing challenges as more budget-minded residents travel to mainland China to save on food purchases, leading to a 4.7 percent decline in food retail sales in the first seven months of 2024.

Bite size local news, Post reports and activity summaries wrapped by ATO Hong Kong. In this issue: ATO Hong Kong teams up with Hong Kong Polytechnic University to train student chefs and showcase U.S. ingredients; Cotton Council International brings Cotton USA Sustainability and Transparency Seminar to Hong Kong...