Weak and stagnating prices for food, agricultural raw materials and
manufactured goods in 2005 could mean further bad news for
exporters this year, according to a World Trade Organisation
report.
Soaring sugar prices are set to continue with supplies remaining
tight, despite increased production, according to the US Department
of Agriculture (USDA).
Sugar confectionery was the only sector to see a significant
decline in the first half of 2005 as UK exports of food and drink
grow 3.1 per cent indicating the industry is on track to break the
£10 billion barrier for the first time...
The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced it will allow
extra sugar imports into the country in an effort to prevent market
shortages after hurricane damage to sugarcane crops, delayed sugar
beet harvests, disruptions...
Europe's food industry will significantly benefit from a
satisfactory WTO agreement, but for this to happen the EU must
maintain its multilateral approach and issues such as export
support must be addressed.
Vietnamese rice exports could soon increase as higher than expected
yields allow the government to lift its export restriction,
according to an Asia Pulse report.
China is on its way to becoming the largest exporter of tomato
paste in the world as Xinjiang Production and Construction
Corporation (XPCC) increases its production capacity for tomato
paste to 500 million tons a year, writes Hridyesh...
The Central America Free Trade Agreement narrowly passed its first
Congressional test yesterday, but only after concessions were made
to the sugar industry writes Anthony Fletcher.
American Farm Bureau Federation president Bob Stallman agues that
the sugar industry is wrong to oppose the ratification of the
Central American Free Trade Agreement, writes Anthony
Fletcher.
President Bush reiterated the importance of using current WTO talks
to expand foreign food export opportunities during the swearing in
ceremony of US trade representative Robert Portman this week,
writes Anthony Fletcher.
Industry association Biscosuisse says that Swiss confectionery
sales have risen marginally in 2004, topping last year's
record-breaking turnover figure and notching up an increase in
domestic sales for the first time in four...
The number of imported chocolate products into Switzerland has
increased for the fourth year running - but will the EU's looming
CAP reforms soon bring this burgeoning trend to an end, asks Tom
Armitage.
Growth in the US agricultural sector over the next decade will be
reliant on growing international economic activity to support gains
in consumption, trade, and prices, according to the USDA.
Peter Mandelson, the newly-appointed EU trade commissioner, is
considering launching a review of the EU's stringent food hygiene
regulations in an attempt to tackle growing accusations that its
policies are protectionist and...
A record sugar cane crop has helped the Philippines become an
exporter of sugar after years of imports. It expects to sell
160,000 tons overseas this year, according to the country's Sugar
Regulatory Authority (SRA). Anand Krishnamoorthy...
France has become the world's fifth largest exporter of food
processing equipment according to ANVAR, the French agency for
innovation that operates under the aegis of the French Minister of
Finance, Trade and Industry.
The Thai government says it is looking forward to strong growth in
its burgeoning rice export industry during the course of the next
three years, as the nation races to extend its lead in the market.
However, market analysts believe...
Cheaper sugar ingredients could be on the way for food makers in
Europe as draft plans for tough changes to the much criticised
sugar regime come to light.
Findings from a new report from the Geneva-based World Trade
Organisation suggest today's highly processed food industry will
continue its thirst for ingredients, writes Lindsey Partos.
And it is in Asia Pacific, where countries...
Romanian sugar producers say they are facing possible collapse
because of suffocating sugar quotas which have been in place for
the last five years, in the run up to accession.
Switzerland's sweet and savoury biscuit sector saw a return to
growth in 2003 due entirely to a strong upswing in export sales -
but domestic sales fell for the second year in succession as a
result of cheaper imports from the...
With the failure of WTO talks in Cancun last year, pressure has
intensified on Europe's heavily subsidied sugar regime - trading at
three times the world price- to change. While critics want to see a
fairer regime with Europe...
With demand outstripping global wheat stocks, currently at a 30
year low, wheat prices are in for a volatile ride in 2004.
Strategies to minimise the impact of price rises for food
processors could be rooted in risk management and...
The chairman of the US Sugar Industry group has said that the
proposed CAFTA announced yesterday is unacceptable to the US sugar
industry. The body added that it was more in favour of alternatives
proposed by the WTO.
German confectionery and bakery producers have strongly criticised
the EU system that keeps sugar prices artificially high, arguing
that it makes European companies uncompetitive when it comes to
exports.
German confectionery and bakery producers have strongly criticised
the current EU system designed to keep sugar prices artificially
high, arguing that it makes European companies uncompetitive when
it comes to exports.
German confectionery and bakery producers have strongly criticised
the current EU system designed to keep sugar prices artificially
high, arguing that it makes European companies uncompetitive when
it comes to exports.
The EU has asked the Ivory Coast, to abolish a law that requires
all cocoa beans to be exported in jute bags. This would mean cocoa
could only be exported in 60 kg or 65 kg bags rather than in bulk.
The latest export figures from marketing agency Food from Britain
reveal that UK confectionery exports were relatively stable last
year. Total exports within this lucrative sector amounted to £477
million (€665.9m).
The goal of genuine global free trade in sugar is only possible
through the World Trade Organisation (WTO), said a US sugar
industry expert before a Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee
yesterday.
Price discounting by retailers and the strength of the Swiss franc
severly reduced exports of biscuits from Switzerland to Germany, by
far the most important foreign market. The situation is no better
at home, with cheap imports reducing...
