June 17, 1999

USDA has included several Asian nations on a list of "best prospects" for U.S. food exports. Japan, Hong Kong, China, South Korea, Taiwan and the Philippines show significant import growth prospects.

The current value of all agricultural, forestry and fishery products for Japan during 1993-97, on average, was $63.4 billion. The projected rate of import growth from all suppliers should increase 3% in 1998-2004, says USDA.

Feed grain value for the 1993-97 period was $3.2 billion and should increase 1%; pork was valued at $3.7 billion and should increase 2%; beef and veal were valued at $2.6 billion in the earlier period on average and should increase 2% through 2004; soybeans, valued at $1.8 billion, should increase 1%; poultry, valued at $1 billion, should increase 3%; dairy products, valued at $824 million, should increase 3% and rice, valued at $326 million in 1993-97, on average, should increase 4%.

For Hong Kong, the 1993-97 on average value of all agricultural, forestry and fishery product imports was $13 billion; that should increase 8% for 1998-2004, says USDA. Beef, valued at $111 million, should increase 4%; pork, valued at $169 million, should increase 18%; beef and pork offals, valued at $262 million, should increase 30%; poultry, valued at $885 million, should increase 7%; milk, valued at $342 million, should increase 10%, and ice cream, valued at $20 million, should increase 10%.

China's 1993-98 average value of total imports was $9.6 billion. That is expected to increase 7% in 1998-2004. Wheat imports should increase 2% from $1.4 billion; soybean meal 5% from $559 million; soybeans 10% from $413 million; poultry 10% from $470 million; corn 20% from $296 million; variety meats 8% from $88.4 million, and dairy products 5% from $136.6 million.

South Korea imported $13 billion on average in 1993-97, and a 3% increase is expected for 1998-2004. Red meat imports should increase 4% from $636 million; poultry meat 3% from $56 million; dairy products 5% from $123 million; wheat 2% from $4.4 billion; corn 2% from $7.8 billion; rice 14% from $106 million, and soybeans 2% from $1.4 billion.

Total imports for 1993-97 averaged $2.5 billion for the Philippines. That should increase 7% for 1998-2004. Neither wheat ($349 million) nor soybean meal ($132 million) are expected to show increases for 1998-2004. But corn should increase 30% from the $40 million total in the earlier period. Rice imports should increase 50% from the $123 million 1993-97 average; apples 10% from $16.7 million, and pork 10% from $2.55 million.

The total value of Taiwan's average 1993-97 imports of agricultural, forestry and fishery products was $10 billion with an 8% increase expected for 1998-2004. Although neither corn ($991 million for 1993-97) nor soybeans ($795 million for 1993-97) are expected to increase, wheat imports should increase 3% from $225 million, apple imports 5% from $94 million, and beef 6% from $190 million.