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In 2022, the Egyptian government announced that feed costs increased by 40 to 45 percent. Beef prices also increased by 15 to 20 percent, discouraging per capita consumption. Prices are expected to continue increasing in response to the ongoing devaluation of the Egyptian pound and complex import procedures. Imports of Indian water buffalo increased to reach 150 thousand MT, while Brazilian beef imports are still limited.

It has come to Post’s attention that a shipment of U.S. bovine genetics faced clearance problems in mainland China after Hong Kong Customs opened and inspected the shipment during transit. To minimize customs clearance issues in the future, U.S. exporters should be mindful that for any shipment transiting through a third-party, such as Hong Kong, shippers/forwarders should ensure that seals are handled properly in the case of inspection.

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Hong Kong’s relevant food regulation contains a positive list of chemicals which are allowed for use as coloring matter. However, this positive list does not explicitly list calcium carbonate as an allowable coloring additive for food use. In this regard, the U.S. food manufacturers, in consultation with Post, wrote to the Hong Kong government to seek clarification on whether calcium carbonate is allowed for use as a food coloring additive.

Hong Kong is an open market offering good opportunities for U.S. beer exporters. Over the last two years, both beer imports and domestic sales have been stable despite the pandemic. In 2021, Hong Kong’s global beer imports held steady from the previous year at $115 million, making the city the fourteenth largest beer import market in the world. Domestic beer sales recovered 9 percent from 2020 at $732 million.

Over the last five years, Hong Kong’s global imports of hops expanded 42 percent, growing 10 percent to $7.2 million in 2021. The United States continues as the leading supplier enjoying 96 percent market share. Hong Kong re-exported 72 percent of its hop imports to other markets in the region, retaining 28 percent for local breweries.

Egypt requires a biosafety legal framework. Without one, the country cannot move forward in the area of agricultural biotechnology. The absence of a legal framework impedes field trials, as well as the commercial use of genetically engineered (GE) crops.

In 2021, U.S. seafood exports to Hong Kong recovered 31 percent year-on-year to $180 million, and taking over a significant share in niche market segments such as lobsters, eels, oysters, and other frozen mollusks products. Hong Kong has a vast seafood market with an import value of $4 billion in 2021, recovering 20 percent despite the COVID-19 pandemic.

Effective February 1, 2023, Hong Kong will ban cannabidiol (CBD) products. The newly amended regulation will prohibit the manufacture, import, export, supply, sale, possession and transshipment of any products containing CBD in the city, regardless of quantity.

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This report serves as a reminder to U.S. exporters and traders that the Hong Kong government does not allow entry of U.S. poultry and egg products originating from affected counties reporting highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) when the bill of lading falls on or after the effective date of a ban.

In 2022, industries report a 35 to 40 percent increase in cultivation costs to reach almost $28,000 per hectare. The increase in costs is due to the challenges of US dollar liquidity and high inflation. In MY 2022/2021, production is expected to reach 1.48 MMT and exports are forecasted at 180,000 MT. In 2022, Egypt added Sri-Lanka and Cameron to the list of importing countries.