AGRAFOOD LAIN AMERICA

摘要

Trade news: Planned changes to the EU sugar regime have been welcomed by Brazil but slammed by Caribbean producers. Meanwhile, Cuba has opened its market to Spanish meat products. Grains and oilseeds: Expansion in Brazil's farm sector is expected to slow in 2005/06 after a difficult year for soy and wheat producers. Colombia could soon be using palm oil to produce biodiesel. Meat and Poultry: Brazil has told the EU a new beef traceability system should be in place by the end of the year. South American countries are joining forces in an effort to eradicate FMDfrom the region. Dairy: Mexico has opened its market to Brazilian powdered milk. Chile hopes to begin exporting dairy products to the EU by the end of 2005. Milk consumption in Venezuela has fallen sharply this year. Sugar and ethanol: US investors are hoping to use Dominican sugar mills to produce ethanol. Meanwhile, inadequate ports are hindering Brazilian plans to step up ethanol exports. Fruit and vegetables: Costa Rican banana shipments continue to fall. But Peru is gaining ground on world markets for fresh produce. Coffee: Costa Rica's coffee sector is emerging from a prolonged slump. Elsewhere, a Brazilian company is investing in soluble coffee production in Spain. Food and drink: Brazil's No.2 beer producer has been accused of tax evasion on a massive scale. Meanwhile, the country's bottled water producers aim to become a major force on world markets.