Japan’s National Tax Agency (NTA) published a list of 10 proposed geographical indications (GIs) for alcoholic beverages from the United Kingdom. NTA will accept public comments on the proposal through March 22, 2022.
Attaché Report (GAIN)

Japan: Malt Market Overview and TRQ Administration Update

Japan imports approximately 500,000 metric tons of malt annually, which accounts for nearly 90 percent of total demand. While overall beer consumption is declining, malt demand is expected to rebound from a down year in 2020 and steadily grow in subsequent years, reflecting strong demand for malt in craft beer and whiskey production.
The Netherlands and Scandinavian countries (Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Denmark) are key markets for U.S. craft beer and distilled spirits. In 2020, the United States shipped $26 million of beer products and $66 million of distilled spirits to the Netherlands and Scandinavian countries.
This report intends to inform U.S. beer, wine, and spirits companies interested in exporting to Mexico about the general requirements, import process and timeframes, and about how often they are updated.
Attaché Report (GAIN)

Thailand: Plant-Based Food and Beverage Market in Thailand

Plant-based diets and meat substitutes are gaining popularity and are capturing the interest of Thai consumers.
The Thai Excise Department approved the use of the APEC Model Wine Export Certificate for U.S. wine exports and the U.S. Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau’s (TTB) Certificate of Sanitation for U.S. beer and distilled spirit exports to Thailand with specific attestation.
The Republic of Korea (Korea) is a developed Asian country with a global presence in high-tech, automobile, and electronics industries. Korea is an industrial powerhouse with a skilled labor force.
On August 2, Japan’s National Tax Agency (NTA) published a list of 11 proposed geographical indications (GIs) for wine from the European Union (EU).
On July 25, 2021, South Africa partially lifted the prohibition on the domestic transportation and sale of alcoholic beverages.
On June 24, 2021, the European Commission published a roadmap outlining its intention to revise the labeling rules on alcoholic beverages as part of its Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan.
On June 27, 2021, South Africa re-introduced the prohibition of the sale, dispensing and distribution of liquor products for 14 days due to the recent surge in COVID-19 infections. This is the fourth ban on liquor products since the start of...
Attaché Report (GAIN)

Canada: The Ontario Wine Market

Canada is the top export market for U.S. wines by value, and Ontario’s provincial liquor board is among the largest purchasers of beverage alcohol on the planet.