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WORLD DEVELOPMENTS
China, Peoples Republic of: China recently agreed to lift an 11-year ban on U.S. leaf imports. China accession to the WTO will lower leaf and cigarette tariffs and is expected to encourage tobacco and tobacco product shipments and discourage smuggling. For complete report go to http://www.fas.usda.gov, Attache Reports, and search for CH0021.
Germany: Cigarette production increased by 12.5 percent in 1999 due to strong demand both domestically and abroad. Cigarette sales for 2000 are forecast slightly below 1999 levels. For complete report go to http://www.fas.usda.gov and search for GM0020.
Indonesia: Leaf production is forecast to increase significantly to 157,353 metric tons in 2000, up 18 percent due to optimum weather and improved management practices between the manufacturers and growers. For complete report go to http://www.fas.usda.gov and search for ID0026.
Taiwan: Leaf consumption is expected to decrease by 9 percent because of declining cigarette production. Domestically produced cigarettes are losing market share to foreign brands. For 2000, cigarette imports are forecast to increase by 12 percent. For complete report go to http://www.fas.usda.gov and search for TW0019.
Zimbabwe Tobacco Auction Update: Zimbabwe’s Tobacco Marketing Board reported that 32 million kg of flue-cured tobacco were sold after seven weeks of the auction season for an average price of U.S.$1.05 per kilogram, down 30 percent in volume and marginally in value. Leaf quality is described as good.
Highlights:
USDA Announces 2000-Crop Flue-Cured Tobacco Grade Loan Rates: The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Commodity Credit Corporation announced grade loan rates for the 2000-crop of flue-cured tobacco based on the price support level of $1.64 per pound. The 2000-crop grade loan rates range from $1.20 to $1.85 per pound. Eligibility for price support will required a certification of "free of curing-barn insulation". For complete report go to www.fsa.usda.gov , News Release.
USDA Announces 2000 Marketing Year Penalty Rates For Excess Tobacco: The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced the penalty rates that will be charged producers, dealers, and warehouse operators for marketing excess tobacco during the 2000 marketing year. For complete report go to www.fsa.usda.gov, News Release.
USDA Announces Importer Assessment Rates For Flue-Cured Tobacco: The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced No-Net-Cost assessment rates on unmanufactured flue-cured tobacco for the period July 1, 2000 through June 30, 2001. Failure to pay the amount of assessment due will result in a marketing penalty of $1.30 per pound, or $2.87 per kilogram for the amount of flue-cured tobacco on which such failure occurred. The rate for burley tobacco that is subject to importer assessment will be announced on October 1, 2000. For complete report go to www.fsa.usda.gov, News Release.
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