China Feed Demand Down, According to Latest USDA Global Agricultural Information Network (GAIN) Reports

The following Global Agricultural Information Network (GAIN) reports were released on Friday, March 6, by the

China: Grain and Feed Update

China’s overall feed demand and consumption are down though not as a dramatically as expected with the reduction in the swine herd due to African Swine Fever.

Losses have been offset by increased feed demand for other animal proteins, namely poultry, eggs, and aquaculture, all of which are expanding production.

Domestic production of most grains remain steady with a slight increase in both corn and wheat production due to increased yields. Stocks of all commodities remain high due to slowing auction purchases of state reserves.

While optimism exists in the wake of the U.S.-China Phase One Trade Deal with China’s pledge to import more U.S. agricultural products including grain and feed, these purchases have yet to materialize.

However, other barriers such as China’s Tariff Rate Quotas and competition from both domestic production and imports from other nations will present challenges for U.S. products.

Japan: Japan Withdraws Product from GI Protection List

The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries withdrew the geographical indication (GI) registration for Nishio Matcha on Feb. 3 at the request of the applicant, the Nishio Tea Cooperative Association.

This is the first withdrawal of a GI protection since Japan’s GI system was introduced in 2015.

Japan: US Chipping Potatoes Gain Year-Round Access to Japan

On February 14, 2020, Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries removed seasonal restrictions on the import window for U.S. chipping potatoes.

At the same time, Japan also lifted the two-months maximum storage restriction on U.S. chipping potatoes. In 2019, the United States exported $17.8 million in fresh chipping potatoes to Japan.

New Zealand: New Zealand Wood Products and Forestry Report

Forestry is a key sector in the New Zealand economy and contributes 11 percent of total exports.

The New Zealand log harvest for the year ending September 2019 totaled 36.6 million cubic meters of round-wood, 2.8 percent higher than the previous year.

Sixty-one percent of the log harvest is exported directly as raw logs. China is currently importing 80 percent of the raw logs shipped out of New Zealand.

Thailand: Rice Price - Weekly

Rice export prices increased 1 to 2 percent due to tighter supplies of white paddy rice and the strengthening of the Thai baht.

For more information, or for an archive of all FAS GAIN reports, please visit gain.fas.usda.gov/.