Browse Data and Analysis

Bite size local news, Post reports and activity summaries wrapped by ATO Hong Kong.

On October 16 the Hong Kong Government (HKG) announced a significant reduction in the duty on imported alcoholic beverages with an alcohol content above 30 percent by volume.

Total Saudi wheat imports for 2024/25 are forecast to reach 4.25 MMT, an increase of 2 percent over marketing year (MY) 2023/24.

On August 4, 2024, the Government of Israel published the “Tenth Amendment to the Protection of Public Health (Food) – 2015” legislation under the Food Reform Law, which adopted more than 40 new food directives and regulations aligning with European Union standards.

Israel is a net importer of all major categories of food products. The Israeli food retail sector was estimated to be $20.7 billion in 2023, and during the same year, Israel imported around $4.96 million of consumer-oriented products.

On September 19, 2024, the Government of Egypt filed an eighth addendum to the World Trade Organization's (WTO’s) Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) -- G/TBT/N/EGY/313/Add.8 -- informing interested parties that the time period during which imported milk and dairy products that are not accompanied by a Halal certificate will be permitted to enter Egypt has been extended until December 31, 2025.

New Zealand has signed a free-trade deal with the United Arab Emirates - the fastest agreement the country has ever reached. After negotiations began in May, the country's trade negotiators concluded the deal in four months.

Bite size local news, Post reports and activity summaries wrapped by ATO Hong Kong. In this issue: Consul General Greg May and ATO Hong Kong Open the USA Pavilion and Welcome U.S. Exhibitors at Asia Fruit Logistica 2024; The U.S. Dairy Export Council Showcases the Diversity of U.S. Cheese to Hong Kong Buyers...

Hong Kong’s food retail sales remained stable at $12.2 billion in 2023, however retailers face growing challenges as more budget-minded residents travel to mainland China to save on food purchases, leading to a 4.7 percent decline in food retail sales in the first seven months of 2024.

Bite size local news, Post reports and activity summaries wrapped by ATO Hong Kong. In this issue: ATO Hong Kong teams up with Hong Kong Polytechnic University to train student chefs and showcase U.S. ingredients; Cotton Council International brings Cotton USA Sustainability and Transparency Seminar to Hong Kong...

Against the backdrop of a series of global shocks, regional conflict, and the war in Ukraine, the Egyptian economy slowed down in 2024 and is projected to recover gradually in the coming years.

Post maintains Algeria’s cereal planted area and production estimates. Post estimates robust wheat imports for MY 2023/24, surpassing nine million metric tons (MMT).