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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.

South Africa is a significant market for American agricultural goods. Due to its expanding market, which supports the effective delivery of both imported and domestically produced agricultural products to major urban areas and the broader Southern Africa region, the country is a desirable location for businesses.

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 Namibian Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform appears to have issued a circular with new import and transshipment requirement for animal and animal products into and through Namibia that states that importers must obtain a Namibian Veterinary Import Permit or Namibian Veterinary Import Permit for Conveyance In-Transit for commodities aimed for use in Namibia or in-transit.

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.

The area under citrus cultivation in South Africa has grown steadily over the past decade, driven by ongoing investments on relatively high earnings from export markets. As a result, South Africa is set for record citrus exports of 2.7 million tons in marketing year 2021/22.

On October 28, 2022, Tongaat Hullet’s management announced that they opted to go into voluntary business rescue due to the company’s severe levels of financial distress. On Tuesday November 1, Tongaat Hullet missed the deadline to pay R401 million ($22.9 million) for cane delivered by 4,300 growers in September.

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.

Ginseng Board of Wisconsin Retail Promotion; Hong Kong Eases Curbs on Inbound Travelers; Visitor Arrivals to Hong Kong Grow 22 Percent; Cathay Pacific to Reach 70 Percent of Pre-pandemic Capacity by Late 2023; Quarantine for Arrivals in Macau Adjusted to “5+3;” More Places to Go in Hong Kong for Group Travelers; Outdoor Live Music Festival Set to Comeback