WET MARKETS EXPOSE GLOBAL WILDLIFE TRADE

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WET MARKETS EXPOSE GLOBAL WILDLIFE TRADE

April 22nd, 2020 Alice Calder Leave a comment

A Watershed Moment for Preserving Lives – Theirs and Ours

Wildlife trade where exotic animals are sold for parts, food or medicine – even as pets – is multibillion dollar business. One in every five wildlife species is at risk of being ensnared in wildlife trade, driving an estimated 8,775 species to the edge of extinction.

Human consumption of wild animals has long been a public health concern, linked to the origin of outbreaks such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Ebola Virus Disease. Nonetheless, China is reopening wet markets where COVID-19 may have originated, albeit with purportedly improved regulations on hygienic conditions.

On February 24, China announced a ban on the sale and consumption of wild animals in China. But China’s Ministry of Finance announced on March 17 it would increase the tax rebate on an array of exported products, including edible snakes and turtles, primate meat, beaver and civet musk and rhino horns.

Wet markets featuring exotic species are not uncommon throughout Asia. Wildlife farms (an oxymoron) also raise animals for traditional medicines. And in an unrelated problem — as uncovered in the recent Netflix hit Tiger King — purveyors of tigers, leopards and other big cats continue to fuel the fantasies of Americans who want selfies with a baby cub. Spoiler alert: at the end of the series, it’s revealed there could be 5,000-10,000 tigers living in captivity in the United States compared with 4,000 in the wild.

Has the strange confluence of Joe Exotic and COVID-19’s potential origins from a bat in a wet market finally brought the world to a watershed moment in wildlife trade?

No Trade Without Demand

Attempts to prevent or limit wildlife trade often focus on the supply side. But trade is driven by consumer demand. It’s the demand for wild animals and plants that signals there’s money to be made both illegally and legally.

Wildlife harvested for food encompasses a broad range of practices, from illegally importing ultra-rare exotic animal meat such as African gorillas and elephants, to the sustainable and legal Australian kangaroo meat trade. According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, wild meat is often the only available source of animal protein in poverty-stricken areas, where it’s unlikely to be internationally traded.

However, there is evidence that urbanization is driving increased demand in commercial trade of wild meat because of the relatively higher prices paid by urban dwellers. Increasing affluence (particularly in Southeast Asia) has increased demand for wildlife products, which have taken on luxury status. For example, in some Asian countries, consuming certain species is believed to help the eater absorb the animal’s strength and resilience. Nonetheless, consuming wild animals carries significant danger of transmitting zoonotic diseases that can occur through any contact with the animal or meat, via the hunters, middle market distributors, sellers in the market or consumers.

Many wild animals are hunted for the purported medicinal properties of their organs, bones and skin. The endangered pangolin is believed to be the most-trafficked animal in the world. Their scales are ground into various medicines to treat anything from malarial fever and deafness to “demon-possession” in women. Despite the illegality of killing them, huge quantities are still seized by customs officials while being smuggled from their native habitats in India and Myanmar. African wildlife, including crocodiles, elephants and rhinos have long been poached for use in traditional medicine, exported mostly illegally, though some hunting for trade is managed and legal.

Endangered and non-endangered wild animals are also traded and transported live to be sold as exotic pets. According to U.S. pet ownership statistics from 2017-2018, over 18 million U.S. households owned some form of exotic or specialty pet, totaling just shy of 90 million individual animals. This number includes hundreds of species of fish, wild birds, reptiles and mammals like macaws, iguanas and monkeys.

Regulating Legal Wildlife Trade

When picturing international trade in wildlife it’s easy to jump to images from the news of monkeys being smuggled in underwear or elephant poaching in Tanzania. However, a huge amount of wildlife trade occurs legally for breeding, biomedical research, exhibitions, conservation and even law enforcement and forensic work.

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) is an international agreement ratified in 1975 to which 183 countries are now a party. It was negotiated to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival. More than 37,000 species are categorized by the degree of protection they need. Trade in species threatened by extinction is permitted only in exceptional circumstances. Trade must be controlled for species where their utilization is incompatible with their survival. A third category includes species that are protected in at least one country that has asked other CITES parties for assistance in controlling the trade. All forms of trade in animals covered by the agreement must be authorized through export quota and licensing systems.

According to CITES data, over a million legal transactions involving live animals or their by-products such as fur, skins and dried herbs occur each year, and this does not include the millions of transactions involving species not on the CITES protected list. The CITES Trade Database may represent the largest data collection currently available on the sustainable use of wildlife. Each “record” in the database provides details of one permitted shipment (import, export or re-export) of live or dead animals and plants and their parts and derivatives. Below is an example of data extracted from the database on the number of “big cats” covered in the panthera genus that were traded live in a given year.

Participation in CITES aids governments in regulating and monitoring legal trade in animals, supports conservation efforts by making species easier to track, and arguably provides communities with an incentive to keep native populations healthy and thriving, for the subsistence of local communities and as a resource to cultivate for their livelihoods. For example, CITES has supported the growth of community-managed vicuña populations in Bolivia and Peru, which are shorn for valuable fiber.

However, despite the best efforts of agreements such as CITES, the legal trade in animals is still a grey area. Ethical concerns exist over whether there is any acceptable way to transport live animals, and introducing non-native species to new habitats can sometimes wreak unexpected ecological and economic havoc, even with good intentions. The United States imported over 800,000 plants and live animals covered by CITES in 2018, including wolves from Sudan, bears from Canada, and flying foxes from Indonesia.

Illegal Wildlife Trade On Par with Illegal Drugs and Weapons

Illegal international trade in wild animals is worth billions, comparable in size and scope to the illegal drug and weapons trades, making it one of the largest black markets in the world.

Civil conflict and wildlife trafficking often go hand in hand. In countries mired in conflict and suffering from weak governance, criminal organizations and militia groups are reaping huge sums of money from wildlife trafficking with terrible knock-on effects for society along with the animal population. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, for example, armed groups sustain conflict from the money made from poaching and illegal wildlife trafficking. Youth are being torn from their families, conscripted into poaching, while the community suffers violence and economic setbacks.

A Pivotal Moment in Wildlife Trade

What more can be done to protect wildlife? One solution is to reduce consumer demand. China has increased public health and safety warnings about the consumption of wild animals and has conducted raids and arrests for those found catching or selling wild animals. The U.S. Agency for International Development created targeted campaigns using celebrities to try and reduce ivory demand. An organization called Change Wildlife Consumers is attempting to use behavioral science to influence consumer behavior.

With renewed scrutiny on wildlife trade due to its impacts on human health and the health of native species and habitats, the stage may be set for governments to impose stricter prohibitions on wildlife trade. But if demand persists, wildlife markets and similar activities may be driven underground, making it riskier but more lucrative for unscrupulous traffickers to deal in wildlife trade.

Joe Exotic landed in jail for other crimes. Meanwhile, wet markets and trade in wild animals remains both a threat to animal survival as well as to the health of humans and our economies on a global scale.

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Alice Calder received her MA in Applied Economics at GMU. Originally from the UK, where she received her BA in Philosophy and Political Economy from the University of Exeter, living and working internationally sparked her interest in trade issues as well as the intersection of economics and culture.

This article originally appeared on TradeVistas.org. Republished with permission.

Archives, Global Trade Daily, Imports/Exports

Global Barley Market Rose 3.3% to $33.7B

April 22nd, 2020 IndexBox Leave a comment

IndexBox has just published a new report: ‘World – Barley – Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends and Insights’. Here is a summary of the report’s key findings.

The global barley market revenue amounted to $33.7B in 2018, picking up by 3.3% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers’ margins, which will be included in the final consumer price).

Barley Consumption by Country

The countries with the highest volumes of barley consumption in 2018 were Russia (12M tonnes), China (9.7M tonnes) and Spain (9.5M tonnes), together accounting for 23% of global consumption.

From 2013 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of barley consumption, amongst the main consuming countries, was attained by China, while barley consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, China ($2.5B), Spain ($2.4B) and Russia ($2.3B) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of market value in 2018, together accounting for 21% of the global market.

The countries with the highest levels of barley per capita consumption in 2018 were Spain (203 kg per person), Canada (167 kg per person) and Saudi Arabia (130 kg per person).

From 2013 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of barley per capita consumption, amongst the main consuming countries, was attained by China, while barley per capita consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Production By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of barley production in 2018 were Russia (17M tonnes), France (11M tonnes) and Germany (9.6M tonnes), with a combined 27% share of global production. Australia, Spain, Canada, Ukraine, Turkey, the UK, Argentina, Kazakhstan and Denmark lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 43%.

From 2013 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of barley production, amongst the main producing countries, was attained by Kazakhstan, while barley production for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports 2007-2018

In 2018, the global barley exports totaled 37M tonnes, falling by -4.7% against the previous year. In value terms, barley exports stood at $7.5B (IndexBox estimates).

Exports by Country

The countries with the highest levels of barley exports in 2018 were Australia (6.9M tonnes), France (6.6M tonnes) and Russia (5.4M tonnes), together finishing at 51% of total export. Ukraine (3.6M tonnes) occupied a 9.7% share (based on tonnes) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by Argentina (6.9%), Canada (6%) and Germany (5%). The following exporters – Romania (1,336K tonnes), Kazakhstan (1,052K tonnes), the UK (852K tonnes), Denmark (776K tonnes) and Hungary (567K tonnes) – together made up 12% of total exports.

From 2013 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of exports, amongst the main exporting countries, was attained by Kazakhstan, while exports for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest barley supplying countries worldwide were Australia ($1.4B), France ($1.3B) and Russia ($1B), together comprising 50% of global exports. Ukraine, Argentina, Canada, Germany, Romania, the UK, Denmark, Kazakhstan and Hungary lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 40%.

Export Prices by Country

In 2018, the average barley export price amounted to $202 per tonne, rising by 14% against the previous year.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2018, the country with the highest price was Canada ($236 per tonne), while Kazakhstan ($145 per tonne) was amongst the lowest.

From 2013 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the UK, while the other global leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Source: IndexBox AI Platform

Archives, Global Logistics, Global Trade Daily, In The News

Food Sector Faces Multipronged Consequences of COVID-19 Outbreak

April 20th, 2020 Nandini Roy Choudhury Leave a comment

Brick and mortar, as well as online food chains, are facing the wrath of the current COVID-19 outbreak. The worldwide supply chain includes distribution, packaging, as well as sourcing of raw materials. Lockdowns are disrupting the transportation of packaged foods, prepared foods, non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages. Before the pandemic, the major growth drivers were growing consumption of ready-to-eat convenience foods among on-the-go consumers.

Shifting lifestyle patterns, rising per capita income, and a growing population have been the prominent growth-enhancing factors associated with the food sector prior to the outbreak. However, shutdowns of restaurants and quick service facilities due to lockdowns have hindered the growth of the food & beverage industry to a large extent.

Online Food Orders Surge as Offline Food Chains Struggle to Cope with COVID-19

In view of the dual nature of the food industry, the impact of COVID-19 is multifaceted on online and offline food chains. The offline food chain comprises of cafes and restaurants that have been shut down across the globe. However, online food deliveries remain operational in most of the regions. The packaged food industry, in particular, is witnessing prolific demand for milk products and shelf-stable foods. As consumers hurry to fill their pantries, the demand is projected to surge even further. Almost every region of the world has been affected by the coronavirus crisis, namely, Asia Pacific, Europe, North America, and the rest of the world. An example of how supply chains were gravely affected is derived from Coca Cola Co.

The carbonated beverage giant, sources raw material from China where the outbreak surfaced in early December of 2019. During the initial days of the pandemic, the company faced a great deal of difficulty in managing the frontend of its supply chain. The production, supply, and export of raw materials from China were delayed due to which the company now solely relies on its suppliers in the US for sourcing sucralose. The major companies in the food & beverages industry affected by coronavirus outbreak include Subway Restaurants Inc., Starbucks Corp., PepsiCo Inc., Papa John’s International Inc., McDonald’s Corp., KFC Corp., International Dairy Queen Inc., Dunkin’ Donuts LLC, Domino’s Pizza, Inc., and Burger King Corp. For instance, Starbucks had to shut down about 2,000 outlets in mainland China after the pandemic began to spread like wildfire.

Livelihoods and Lives at Risk from COVID-19 Pandemic

The looming food crisis amid trade disruptions, quarantines, and border closures continues to endanger both livelihoods and lives worldwide. The huge imbalance between supply and demand resulted from economic shock in the midst of the widespread shutdown of businesses. The uncertainty surrounding the eventual retreat of the COVID-19 pandemic is adding to the crisis. Fast and effective measures are required to mitigate the effects of the pandemic on the vulnerable food supply chain.

Nutritious and diverse food sources are in short supply in the wake of the global health crisis. Furthermore, greater food insecurity is prevalent in regions hit hard by COVID-19 such as Spain, Italy, and the US. However, there is still the need for anyone to panic about the food crisis as the world has adequate stock of it. The only problem is making it accessible to every section of the society amid strict lockdown.

What Has the World Learned from History?

The 2007-2008 food crisis offered the world some important lessons which can be utilized to avoid letting a health crisis turn into an indispensable food crisis. Policymakers worldwide are intent on not repeating their mistakes of the past. As the measures tighten around the pandemic, it will be even more challenging to prevent the downfall of the global food system. Logistics bottlenecks are a major challenge facing the globe at present. The global food industry is certainly strained in terms of transport and accessibility.

So far food supply has been sufficient thereby disruptions have been minimal. However, the production of high-value commodities such as vegetables and fruits has declined. Hence, governments, especially in India, aim to restart the agriculture activities in parts during the harvest season.

What Does the Immediate Future Hold for Food Sector?

The food supply chain disruption is expected to continue through at least May 2020 as new cases of COVID-19 continue to rise. Movement restrictions will continue for at least two more months in various parts of world, which is why minimizing bottlenecks will remain crucial for major manufacturers in the food industry. Agricultural production, on the other hand, will be affected by a shortage of veterinary medicines, fertilizers, and other inputs. Moreover, demand for seafood products and fresh produce will continue to decline in view of less grocery shopping and closure of restaurants. In particular, aquaculture and agriculture sectors are among the most adversely affected by the pandemic. Canned seafood and other frozen food products will be on the other hand in demand. The suspension of school meals in emerging nations in India is another area facing the brunt of the COVID-19 outbreak.

One thing is certain: the poorest sections of the society including the migrant workers will be the worst affected by the pandemic. In India, migrant workers are terrified of dying from hunger even before the pandemic can strike. Feeding millions of poor families is a daunting task being faced by the government of India. Individuals continue to contribute their part to help the vulnerable ones. However, feeding them every day requires uninterrupted production and supply of essential food items. The food sector in developing nations will thus certainly face greater strain over the entire system in the foreseeable future.

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Nandini is a senior research consultant working with Future Market Insights (FMI), a global market research and consulting firm. She has been serving clients across Food & Beverages, Pharma, and Chemical domains. Currently leading FMI’s Food & Beverages division, Nandini handles research projects in various sub-sectors, viz. Food Ingredients, Food Innovation, and Beverages. The insights presented in this article are based on FMI’s research findings on Impact of COVID-19 on Food Sector Industry of Future Market Insights

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Overview of the Onion And Shallot Market in Asia-Pacific

April 20th, 2020 IndexBox Leave a comment

IndexBox has just published a new report: ‘Asia-Pacific – Onion And Shallots – Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends and Insights’. Here is a summary of the report’s key findings.

The revenue of the onion and shallot market in Asia-Pacific amounted to $24.6B in 2018, increasing by 3.9% against the previous year. Driven by increasing demand for onion and shallot in Asia-Pacific, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next decade. Market performance is forecast to retain its current trend pattern, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +2.3% for the period from 2018 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 77M tonnes by the end of 2030.

Consumption by Country

The countries with the highest volumes of onion and shallot consumption in 2018 were China (25M tonnes), India (20M tonnes) and Pakistan (2.1M tonnes), together comprising 80% of total consumption. South Korea, Bangladesh, Japan, Indonesia and Myanmar lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 15%.

From 2013 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of onion and shallot consumption, amongst the main consuming countries, was attained by Bangladesh, while onion and shallot consumption for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, China ($13.7B) led the market, alone. The second position in the ranking was occupied by India ($5.4B). It was followed by Indonesia.

In 2018, the highest levels of onion and shallot per capita consumption was registered in South Korea (40 kg per person), followed by Myanmar (18 kg per person), China (17 kg per person) and Japan (15 kg per person), while the world average per capita consumption of onion and shallot was estimated at 14 kg per person.

Production in Asia-Pacific

In 2018, the amount of onions and shallots produced in Asia-Pacific totaled 60M tonnes, approximately mirroring the previous year. The total output volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.5% from 2013 to 2018; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being observed over the period under review. The general positive trend in terms of onion and shallot output was largely conditioned by a moderate expansion of the harvested area and a relatively flat trend pattern in yield figures.

In 2018, the onion and shallot harvested area amounted to 3.3M ha, while the average yield stood at 18 tonne per ha.

Production by Country

The countries with the highest volumes of onion and shallot production in 2018 were China (26M tonnes), India (22M tonnes) and Pakistan (2.1M tonnes), with a combined 84% share of total production. These countries were followed by South Korea, Bangladesh, Japan and Indonesia, which together accounted for a further 12%.

From 2013 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of onion and shallot production, amongst the main producing countries, was attained by Bangladesh, while onion and shallot production for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports in Asia-Pacific

In 2018, the exports of onions and shallots in Asia-Pacific amounted to 3M tonnes, approximately equating the previous year.

In value terms, onion and shallot exports totaled $1.1B (IndexBox estimates).

Exports by Country

India represented the largest exporter of onions and shallots in Asia-Pacific, with the volume of exports resulting at 1.7M tonnes, which was near 55% of total exports in 2018. It was distantly followed by China (968K tonnes), creating a 32% share of total exports. New Zealand (134K tonnes), Pakistan (64K tonnes) and Afghanistan (62K tonnes) occupied a minor share of total exports.

From 2013 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of exports, amongst the main exporting countries, was attained by China, while exports for the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the exports figures.

In value terms, China ($564M), India ($420M) and New Zealand ($62M) were the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2018, together comprising 93% of total exports.

Export Prices by Country

In 2018, the onion and shallot export price in Asia-Pacific amounted to $371 per tonne, going down by -1.5% against the previous year. Overall, the onion and shallot export price continues to indicate a measured deduction. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 an increase of 41% against the previous year. In that year, the export prices for onions and shallots attained their peak level of $450 per tonne. From 2016 to 2018, the growth in terms of the export prices for onions and shallots failed to regain its momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by the country of origin; the country with the highest price was China ($583 per tonne), while Afghanistan ($167 per tonne) was amongst the lowest.

From 2013 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by China, while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Source: IndexBox AI Platform

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Global Dry Bean Market 2020 – Key Insights

April 13th, 2020 IndexBox Leave a comment

IndexBox has just published a new report: ‘World – Dry Bean – Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends and Insights’. Here is a summary of the report’s key findings.

The global dry bean market revenue amounted to $30.1B in 2018, reducing by -2.4% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers’ margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). In general, dry bean consumption continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern.

The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 7.7% year-to-year. In that year, the global dry bean market attained its peak level of $31B. From 2017 to 2018, the growth of the global dry bean market remained at a lower figure.

Consumption by Country

The countries with the highest volumes of dry bean consumption in 2018 were India (6.9M tonnes), Myanmar (3.9M tonnes) and Brazil (2.8M tonnes), together accounting for 36% of global consumption. These countries were followed by Nigeria, Niger, the U.S., Tanzania, Mexico, Kenya, Uganda, China and Burkina Faso, which together accounted for a further 34%.

From 2014 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of dry bean consumption, amongst the main consuming countries, was attained by China, while dry bean consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, India ($6.9B) led the market, alone. The second position in the ranking was occupied by Myanmar ($2.7B). It was followed by Nigeria.

The countries with the highest levels of dry bean per capita consumption in 2018 were Niger (111 kg per person), Myanmar (72 kg per person) and Burkina Faso (35 kg per person).

Market Forecast to 2030

Driven by increasing demand for dry bean worldwide, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next decade. Market performance is forecast to decelerate, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +2.1% for the period from 2018 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 48M tonnes by the end of 2030.

Production by Country

The countries with the highest volumes of dry bean production in 2018 were India (6.2M tonnes), Myanmar (4.9M tonnes) and Brazil (2.9M tonnes), with a combined 37% share of global production. Nigeria, Niger, the U.S., Tanzania, China, Mexico, Uganda, Kenya and Burkina Faso lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 36%.

From 2014 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of dry bean production, amongst the main producing countries, was attained by Niger, while dry bean production for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Harvested Area 2014-2018

In 2018, approx. 48M ha of beans (dry) were harvested worldwide; going down by -3.2% against the previous year. The harvested area increased at an average annual rate of +2.2% from 2014 to 2018; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 when harvested area increased by 8.8% year-to-year. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to dry bean production reached its maximum at 49M ha in 2017, and then declined slightly in the following year.

Yield 2014-2018

In 2018, the global average dry bean yield amounted to 788 kg per ha, jumping by 3.9% against the previous year. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of +1.2% from 2014 to 2018. In 2018, the average dry bean yield reached its peak level and is likely to continue its growth in the immediate term.

Exports 2014-2018

Global exports amounted to 3.9M tonnes in 2018, therefore, remained relatively stable against the previous year.

In value terms, dry bean exports amounted to $3.3B (IndexBox estimates) in 2018.

Exports by Country

Myanmar was the key exporter of beans (dry) exported in the world, with the volume of exports amounting to 1M tonnes, which was approx. 27% of total exports in 2018. The U.S. (439K tonnes) held an 11% share (based on tonnes) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by China (10%), Argentina (8.9%) and Canada (8.8%). Brazil (162K tonnes), Ethiopia (136K tonnes), Egypt (102K tonnes), Nicaragua (83K tonnes), Australia (75K tonnes) and Kyrgyzstan (75K tonnes) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2014 to 2018, average annual rates of growth with regard to dry bean exports from Myanmar stood at +11.1%. At the same time, Brazil (+25.7%), Australia (+24.2%), Kyrgyzstan (+19.2%), Argentina (+8.3%), Egypt (+4.8%), Nicaragua (+4.2%) and Canada (+3.9%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Brazil emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in the world, with a CAGR of +25.7% from 2014-2018. By contrast, the U.S. (-2.5%), China (-5.7%) and Ethiopia (-12.1%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Myanmar (+9.1 p.p.), Brazil (+2.5 p.p.) and Argentina (+2.4 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the global exports, while Ethiopia and China saw its share reduced by -2.3% and -2.7% from 2014 to 2018, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the largest dry bean supplying countries worldwide were China ($573M), Myanmar ($570M) and the U.S. ($390M), with a combined 47% share of global exports. Canada, Argentina, Egypt, Brazil, Nicaragua, Ethiopia, Australia and Kyrgyzstan lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 34%.

In terms of the main exporting countries, Australia recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review, while exports for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

The average dry bean export price stood at $831 per tonne in 2018, shrinking by -6% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the dry bean export price continues to indicate a deep decrease. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 an increase of 0.3% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices for beans (dry) attained their maximum at $1,083 per tonne in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2018, export prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2018, the country with the highest price was China ($1,422 per tonne), while Myanmar ($548 per tonne) was amongst the lowest.

From 2014 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the U.S., while the other global leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Source: IndexBox AI Platform

Archives, Global Trade Daily, Imports/Exports

Global Vermouth Market 2020 – U.S. is the World’s Largest Importer of Vermouth

April 9th, 2020 IndexBox Leave a comment

IndexBox has just published a new report: ‘World – Vermouth – Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends And Insights’. Here is a summary of the report’s key findings.

Exports 2013-2018

In 2018, approx. 259M litres of vermouth were exported worldwide; shrinking by -4.1% against the previous year. In general, vermouth exports continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 8.1% y-o-y. In that year, global vermouth exports attained their peak of 270M litres, and then declined slightly in the following year.

In value terms, vermouth exports amounted to $494M (IndexBox estimates) in 2018.

Exports by Country

Italy represented the major exporter of vermouth exported in the world, with the volume of exports recording 112M litres, which was near 43% of total exports in 2018. It was distantly followed by Spain (64M litres), Germany (29M litres) and France (20M litres), together constituting a 44% share of total exports. The U.S. (6.4M litres) held a minor share of total exports.

From 2013 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of exports, amongst the main exporting countries, was attained by the U.S., while exports for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Italy ($205M) remains the largest vermouth supplier worldwide, comprising 41% of global exports. The second position in the ranking was occupied by Spain ($97M), with a 20% share of global exports. It was followed by France, with a 11% share.

Export Prices by Country

The average vermouth export price stood at $1.9 per litre in 2018, growing by 12% against the previous year. Overall, the vermouth export price, however, continues to indicate a moderate curtailment. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the average export price increased by 12% year-to-year. The global export price peaked at $2.1 per litre in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2018, export prices failed to regain their momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by the country of origin; the country with the highest price was France ($2.7 per litre), while Spain ($1.5 per litre) was amongst the lowest.

From 2013 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the U.S., while the other global leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Imports 2013-2018

In 2018, the amount of vermouth imported worldwide amounted to 262M litres, approximately mirroring the previous year.

In value terms, vermouth imports amounted to $502M (IndexBox estimates) in 2018.

Imports by Country

The countries with the highest levels of vermouth imports in 2018 were France (32M litres), the U.S. (25M litres), Germany (23M litres), Russia (18M litres), the UK (17M litres), Belgium (17M litres), Spain (17M litres), Poland (12M litres), the Netherlands (9.1M litres), Portugal (7.5M litres) and the Czech Republic (7.3M litres), together accounting for 71% of total import. Switzerland (4.1M litres) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2013 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of imports, amongst the main importing countries, was attained by Spain, while imports for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the U.S. ($59M), France ($49M) and Germany ($45M) were the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2018, together accounting for 30% of global imports. These countries were followed by Belgium, Russia, Poland, the UK, Spain, the Netherlands, Portugal, the Czech Republic and Switzerland, which together accounted for a further 38%.

Import Prices by Country

The average vermouth import price stood at $1.9 per litre in 2018, coming down by -3.6% against the previous year.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2018, the country with the highest price was Switzerland ($2.5 per litre), while the Czech Republic ($1.4 per litre) was amongst the lowest.

From 2013 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Germany, while the other global leaders experienced a decline in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox AI Platform

Archives, Global Trade Daily, Trade Cycle

Reusable Plastics: The Unsung Heroes Of The Food Supply Chain

April 8th, 2020 Reusable Transport Packaging Leave a comment

When you think of plastic, you probably think of piles of landfill products that don’t decompose organically, and as a result, end up languishing in the ground leaching toxic chemicals into the soil.

Modern technology has meant that plastics are more than just the straws you put in your milkshake or the wrapper on your lunchtime snack. Today’s plastics come in all shapes and sizes, including reusable, durable products used across the food supply chain market.

These products make food supply chain management more cost and time-efficient, allowing consumers to enjoy fresh, delicious produce and products quickly, and at a price they can afford.

Growing And Harvesting

In the early stages of food production, agricultural reusable plastic containers are used to grow fruits and vegetables in a safe and sanitary environment. Plastic trays are used to grow seedlings, and these are often watered using reusable plastic irrigation systems. Greenhouse covers, also made from reusable plastic, make growing plants that need climate-controlled housing, such as tomatoes or citrus fruits, safe and hygienic.

When it comes to harvesting product, plastic containers make it easier for farmers to store and transport their crops safely. Cardboard or wooden pallets can be hard to sanitize and are prone to absorbing moisture, while plastic is non-porous and can easily be cleaned after each use.

Processing and Distributing

Processing fresh produce, including fruits, vegetables and other crops, involves sorting them ready to be shipped off for use in various products such as ready meals, sauces and canned goods. Some will be sold whole, but the majority will meet customers in various different forms, so they are sorted and stored in a selection of reusable plastic food handling containers, such as IBCs, prior to being distributed to factories and stores.

Distribution is the part of the supply chain where single-use plastics get involved. The products can be transported on plastic pallets and crates, which are reusable, but they are delivered to customers in single-use packaging. As DeMaso of Lipman Family Farms explains:

“Single-use plastic is hard to get rid of when sending to consumers in the produce industry. We need to make sure food safety and sanitation are on-point, so we’re not trading contaminants. Disposable plastic is a problem, [so] it’s a matter of making sure we are using as little as possible.”

Making the Food Supply Chain More Sustainable

As this article highlights, the main issue the food supply chain faces when it comes to sustainability is its reliance at the end of the process on single-use plastic packaging. Justin Bean, the Business Development and Sales Manager at Reusable Transport Packaging, believes that reusable food packaging is the future, and that food producers should embrace it throughout their supply chain. This approach will help to reduce the food supply chain’s reliance on single-use plastics.

“Farmers still spend a lot of money on single-use corrugated and or single-use plastics for distribution to retailers. Our pay per use or milkman model allows users to cut out single-use packaging waste, save money, and use a better RTP (Reusable Transport Package).”

A move towards reusable plastic packaging throughout the food supply chain will allow the market to reduce its impact on the environment and still keep food fresh and affordable. It’s safe to say that these revolutionary products are the future of the food supply chain.

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Reusable Transport Packaging is a re-seller, master distributor, and custom manufacturer of the broadest range of returnable and reusable plastic packaging available today. We carry thousands of products and boast an inventory that is readily available, with national and international coverage.

Archives, Global Trade Daily, Imports/Exports

THE GREAT DISTANCES TRAVELED SO YOU CAN STAY AT HOME

April 8th, 2020 Alice Calder Leave a comment

Baking queries are popping up all over Google, which reported that a top trending search was “how to make banana bread.”

As millions of people across the United States are ordered to stay at home and shelter in place, many have found they have a surplus of free time on their hands that was once filled with commuting, socializing and generally being somewhere other than their house or apartment. So what to do? Of course there is enough content on online streaming and gaming services to keep us enthralled for many lifetimes, but a lot of people are trying to make the best of the hand they’ve been dealt by using the time to learn a new skill, create something, or better themselves.

The activities we are filling our time with while confined to our homes show just how monumentally global our influences, choices and opportunities really are. While restricted to our small slices of the world we have the opportunity to cook food using ingredients and make things with materials that have traveled huge distances. And we can learn the skills and practices that are part of cultures thousands of miles removed from our own, all thanks to trade – both historical and present.

Globally-Inspired Baking

Whipping up delicious baked goods is comforting and rewarding. Little is more satisfying than making your own bread from scratch – it’s the nearest most of us will come to alchemy, and it’s utterly delicious. In fact, so many Americans are turning to this source of comfort that flour and yeast are running low and producers are fighting to keep up with demand.

Bread isn’t the only option available for home chefs. Trade provides a gateway to international culinary influences, allowing us to import the knowledge of grandmothers the world over. A few simple ingredients such as flour, yeast, fat and sugar (but beware the tariffs!) are all you need to make authentic Italian pasta, fluffy Chinese steamed buns or mouthwatering Colombian arepas. A quick Internet search will help you find family recipes to master yourself.

If you fancy something a little sweeter, how about a plate of fresh-from-the-oven chocolate chip cookies – what could be more American? With cocoa beans imported from West Africa and vanilla pods from Mexico and Madagascar, you can again credit international trade with bringing you the ingredients to craft culinary magic. And for classic banana bread, your bananas are probably from Ecuador, the Philippines, Costa Rica, Colombia or Guatemala, and their complex trade story goes much further.

Knitting Together Cultures

Time at home has also reignited interest in creative outlets like painting, writing and crafting. Knitting, crochet and embroidery are some of the most popular activities we’ve been picking up to keep our hands busy, serving both as something to do and a great way to help calm anxious minds. Although only to be used when there is no other option, generous crafters in some communities are helping out by sewing homemade masks, reminiscent of the wartime “knit your bit” movement to get socks and warm clothing to front-line troops.

If you’re looking to knit up something cozy during isolation, wool from the animals of the world has you covered. The alpacas and vicunas of the Andean Highlands of Peru are a valued source of soft and squishy wool, and in South Africa Angora goats (originally from Turkey) are farmed and shorn for Mohair. And of course, humble sheep the world over offer up their coats. The many different breeds from places such as the Falklands, Spain, Australia, or the UK produce a huge variety of wool for our handmade sweaters, hats and scarfs.

Thanks to trade and innovation, numerous plant-based yarns are also available, beyond the obvious cotton. Great for crafting light and airy creations, they include materials such as raffia made from the fibers of raffia palms native to tropical Africa and Madagascar. You could also pick up yarn made from wonder-plant hemp, whose top producers include China and Canada, or yarn made from Australian eucalyptus, sustainably and ethically sourced.

Staying Healthy Inside

The closures of gyms and fitness studios and the stresses of staying cooped up mean people are trying to find ways to stay fit and healthy while they isolate, including exercising at home and experimenting with healthy foods.

Though you can no longer take a spin class or use the elliptical at your local gym, workouts that can be done at home have seen a surge in popularity, and many group fitness classes are trying to transition to providing virtual content. Many of these fitness classes and practices originally came to the United States from abroad.

Yoga mats have seen a spike in popularity on Amazon as people turn to the ancient Indian discipline to find their inner peace amidst the turmoil. One in three Americans have tried yoga at some point, and that statistic seems likely to increase even further. Perennial favorite Pilates is another way people are trying to stay healthy. It is now practiced worldwide but was originally brought to North America by German immigrant Joseph Pilates.

Another way to combat the negative effects of social distancing and lack of variety is to seek out healthy foods to consume, like superfood products that claim to boost immunity or calm anxiety.

Thanks to international trade we now have access to all kinds of foods that can help us fuel and feel better. One of these is Japanese Matcha, a green tea powder made from tea primarily grown in two regions in Japan that has been a prominent part of culture there for centuries. Purported benefits include boosting brain function and helping to protect the liver and heart health. Once almost solely enjoyed in Japan, it is now available across the United States, and even at Starbucks and Dunkin’. Another popular superfood is turmeric, U.S. imports of which have surged in recent years from $2.5 million to $35 million between 2001 and 2017. It has been enjoyed in India for over 4,500 years for its ability to fend off illness but now it’s available in any grocery store to add to a home-cooked curry or to use in a turmeric latte.

International Trade Helping Our Domestic Lives

Having to distance yourself from friends and loved ones and stop doing activities you enjoy is undoubtedly tough. However, we can be thankful for – and find pleasure in – what we can still do, thanks to international trade and a globalized world.

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This article originally appeared on TradeVistas.org. Republished with permission.

Archives, Global Trade Daily, International Trade

Global Artichoke Market to Reach 1.9M Tonnes by 2030

April 6th, 2020 IndexBox Leave a comment

IndexBox has just published a new report: ‘World – Artichokes – Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends and Insights’. Here is a summary of the report’s key findings.

The global artichoke market revenue amounted to $2.5B in 2018, rising by 2.4% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers’ margins, which will be included in the final consumer price).

Over the period under review, the global artichoke market reached its maximum level at $2.6B in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2018, consumption failed to regain its momentum.

Consumption By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of artichoke consumption in 2018 were Italy (394K tonnes), Egypt (319K tonnes) and Spain (196K tonnes), together comprising 54% of global consumption. Peru, Algeria, Argentina and China lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 28%.

From 2009 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of artichoke consumption, amongst the main consuming countries, was attained by Algeria, while artichoke consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest artichoke markets worldwide were Italy ($608M), Peru ($421M) and Egypt ($341M), with a combined 54% share of the global market. Spain, Argentina, Algeria and China lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 26%.

The countries with the highest levels of artichoke per capita consumption in 2018 were Italy (6.62 kg per person), Peru (4.75 kg per person) and Spain (4.20 kg per person).

Market Forecast to 2030

Driven by increasing demand for artichoke worldwide, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next decade. Market performance is forecast to retain its current trend pattern, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +1.0% for the period from 2018 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 1.9M tonnes by the end of 2030.

Global Production 2009-2018

Global artichoke production totaled 1.7M tonnes in 2018, remaining constant against the previous year. The total output volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.1% over the period from 2009 to 2018; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded over the period under review. The general positive trend in terms of artichoke output was largely conditioned by a modest increase of the harvested area and slight growth in yield figures.