Author: Editorial Desk

Hurricane Hilary, which struck California in August, has had lasting repercussions on the table grapes industry. This turbulent period, which ordinarily witnesses peak yields, has seen a combination of supply shortages and quality issues across Asian markets, resulting in diverse market responses. A recent USDA report reveals a noticeable downturn in grape promotions, with a 55% reduction in stores advertising them compared to the previous year. Even more concerning, seedless grape promotions have decreased by 56%. Simultaneously, seedless grape prices have seen a notable 39% increase year-on-year. This disruption, representing a loss of 25 million boxes, is significantly impacting international…

Scottish Secretary Alister Jack’s Vietnam visit commences today. It signifies a quest to fortify existing trade and diplomatic bridges. This expedition aligns seamlessly with the 50th celebration of UK-Vietnam diplomatic ties, marking an era of evolved global trade dynamics. With the support of the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA), Jack casts a spotlight on the potential of the Vietnamese export landscape, emphasizing the profound business and educational synergy between Vietnam and Scotland. Jack expressed his excitement, “The UK Government’s post-Brexit free trade agreement with Vietnam offers huge opportunities for Scottish businesses, and I look forward to promoting Scotch and other important…

On October 2, France embarked on a unique path within Europe by launching a massive duck vaccination campaign aimed at millions of ducks, marking a proactive effort to combat bird flu and prevent recurrent avian influenza outbreaks. This initiative unfolded even as the United States and Japan imposed trade restrictions on French poultry imports, citing potential health risks. France has been grappling with bird flu, with significant waves of highly pathogenic avian influenza affecting the country, especially impacting its acclaimed foie gras industry. The recurrent outbreaks since 2015, becoming nearly incessant since 2020, necessitated widespread culling, imposing a hefty financial…

The global grain market experienced a shudder as the Euronext wheat futures reported a decline in Paris wheat. This decrease emerged in the wake of an updated U.S. wheat production estimate, which indicated a significantly larger yield. On the concluding trading session of the week, the December wheat futures at Euronext settled 1.7% lower at 235.50 euros ($249.18) a metric ton, mirroring the week’s earlier lows. The downturn was ignited when the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) raised its wheat yield forecast for the year, an estimate that exceeded median analyst projections. This update sent the Chicago wheat futures Wv1…

CT Group recently unveiled Vietnam’s inaugural carbon credit trading platform under the ASEAN joint stock company (CCTPA), marking a significant first for the nation as it actively adapts to evolving international environmental trade frameworks, with eyes set on a low-carbon, economically robust growth trajectory. From October 2023, the European Union’s 27 member nations initiated a pilot program imposing carbon taxation on all exports destined for their markets, utilizing the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). With the US on track to enforce similar carbon taxation on imports by 2024 and numerous other nations across the Americas and Asia likely to adopt…

Targeting enhanced food security, Saudi Arabia’s poultry production aspired to achieve 80 percent autonomy in chicken, poultry, and protein supplies by 2025. This initiative aligns with surging demand for hatching eggs, as highlighted by Ahmed Osilan, Managing Director at Tanmiah Food Co Speaking to Arab News, Osilan underscored Saudi Arabia’s agricultural and scientific breakthroughs, enabling the Kingdom to transition from an importer to an exporter of certain products. These milestones hint at Saudi Arabia’s potential to unveil new global trade horizons. Surpassing 100 percent food security in table egg production symbolizes an industry evolution. Companies like Tanmiah Food Co. are…

The trajectory of iron ore exports from Brazil has ushered in a fresh breath of vitality to the global dry bulk market, showcasing an upward trend in 2023 according to industry narratives. The robust stance of the Brazilian iron ore market has engendered a sense of optimism among market enthusiasts and stakeholders. Shipbroker Banchero Costa, in its latest weekly synopsis, underscored a palpable increase in global iron ore trade this year. Between January and August 2023, the global loadings of iron ore climbed by 4.0% year-on-year to 1,028.8 million tonnes from 988.9 million tonnes during the corresponding period in 2022,…

The thriving hubs of China’s apparel industry are seeing a wave of clothing companies shifting their focus from traditional textile exporting to establishing their brands on the international stage via retail stores. Among the enterprises spearheading this transition is Bosideng, a company that values the real-time customer feedback gleaned from in-store interactions, despite the cost efficiencies offered by overseas e-commerce platforms. Bosideng’s spokesperson highlighted the influx of diverse customers their stores are attracting globally, stating, “We’re starting to see a lot more different customers from all walks of the world.” Italian designer Pietro Ferragina, who collaborates with Bosideng, emphasized the…

With a decisive stride set to restructure trading dynamics within Southeast Asia, all ten Customs Administrations of the ASEAN Member States (AMS) have united to sign the Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) for their Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) Programs, a monumental step aimed at crafting a more predictable and transparent trading environment across member nations. Dubbed the ASEAN AEO MRA (AAMRA), this agreement aligns seamlessly with the norms and standards delineated by the World Customs Organization (WCO) SAFE Framework of Standards to Secure and Facilitate Global Trade (SAFE Framework). It’s conceived to ensure that certification standards across AMS customs administrations harmonize…

Under the innovative initiative known as Global Gateway, Ghana and the European Union (EU) have ushered in a fresh era aimed at confronting the menace of illegal timber trade. Ghana steps into the spotlight as the pioneering African nation, and the second on a global scale, to furnish the EU with export licenses authenticating the legality of their timber merchandise. This significant stride materialized in Brussels during a pivotal session of the Ghana-EU Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) on Forest Law Enforcement Governance and Trade (FLEGT) enforcement entity. This collaboration encompasses a diverse array of stakeholders, including the Ghanaian forest administrative…