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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.

The Food and Agricultural Import Regulations and Standards (FAIRS) report provides an overview of the food laws and regulatory environment in Algeria as it relates to food and agricultural exports. This report is intended to be used in conjunction with the 2022 FAIRS Export Certificate Report for Algeria. Noted updates in 2022 include: Import Procedures (Section IX).

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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Algeria does not develop, commercialize or import genetically engineered products. The Ministry of Agriculture’s decree of December 24, 2020, prevents agricultural genetically engineered product development, commercialization as well as import into Algeria.

This report provides information on export certificates required by the Government of Algeria.

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.

As of September 2022, Israel does not have a policy restricting the use of imported genetically engineered (GE) commodities or derivative products. There are no changes in Israel’s policy towards plant, animal biotechnology, and microbial biotechnology compared to 2021.

Tunisia postponed non-urgent issues throughout 2023 as major political reforms, including a freeze on parliament and a constitutional referendum took precedent. As a result, Tunisia’s biosafety framework, which was drafted in 2014, remains on hold with no timeframe for a review and parliamentary vote.