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U.S. beef exports to East Asia in 2022 are again on record pace after a record year in 2021. Despite economic uncertainties due to the COVID-19 pandemic, continued global supply chain challenges, and a competitive global beef market, U.S. beef exports to East Asia, both in value and volume, were outstanding in the first half of 2022.

Bite size local news, Post reports and activity summaries wrapped by ATO Hong Kong. In this issue: ATO Concludes 2022 Delicious USA Campaign; Hong Kong Scraps COVID-19 Mandatory Contact-Tracing App and Movement Restrictions on International Arrivals

In the past year, Hong Kong did not have any policy changes to regulations pertaining to genetically engineered (GE) products, while monitoring the development of synthetic biology. Hong Kong does not maintain specific regulations for GE products, which are subject to the same food regulations of conventional foods.

From January – September 2022, U.S. agricultural and food exports to Hong Kong declined 16 percent to $1 billion compared to the same period last year. During this same period, Hong Kong’s ranking as a U.S. agricultural and food export market slid from 15th in 2021 to 25th in 2022. However, the city held its rank as the 7th largest export market for U.S. consumer-ready food products.

The United States Becomes Hong Kong’s Top Ginseng Supplier; Hong Kong Travel Agency Predicts Comeback of Travel Business; Finance Minister Confident in Hong Kong’s Economic Fundamentals; Hopes for Normalcy Drive Sales of Hong Kong Shops; Macau to Ditch ‘Gambling Hub’ Image in Next Decade; Macau’s GDP Dropped 33 Percent to $4.6 Billion in Third Quarter

Hong Kong is revising its residue limits for heavy metals and pesticides in Chinese herbal medicines in adherence with China’s Pharmacopoeia (2020 Edition). Effective December 31, 2023, ginseng products will be subject to revised limits on heavy metals. Stricter limits for DDT (pesticides) will be conducted in two phases starting December 31, 2026.

Despite its small population at 7.5 million, Hong Kong is the sixth-largest export market for U.S. consumer-oriented agricultural products. Hong Kong has always been an attractive market for innovative U.S. food and beverage products as well as a gateway to the region.

Healthy eating is the growing trend in Hong Kong embraced by both the government and the general public. In this context, the Hong Kong government is encouraging the trade to use less salt and sugar for foods by introducing a voluntary “Salt/Sugar” label scheme for prepackaged food products.

In September 2021, the Hong Kong government decided not to launch a scheme requiring pre-market safety assessments for biotech events initially proposed in 2013. Hong Kong did not have any policy changes on regulating genetically engineered (GE)...

Hong Kong is the ninth largest importer of baked goods in the world, with imports valued at $870 million. Major import categories included pastries, bread, and cakes. For the first ten months of 2021, Hong Kong imports of baked goods were $721 million, a modest increase of 1.61 percent over the same period in 2020.