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Robust China’s Demand Drives ABS Plastic Exports from South Korea

abs copolymers

Robust China’s Demand Drives ABS Plastic Exports from South Korea

IndexBox has just published a new report: ‘Republic of Korea – Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene (ABS) Copolymers In Primary Forms – Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends And Insights’. Here is a summary of the report’s key findings.

South Korea remains the world’s largest supplier of primary ABS copolymers, accounting for 46% of global exports. Robust demand from China propels the growth of South Korea’s shipments. In the first seven months of 2021, the export value increased by +60% against the same period of 2020. Last year, ABS copolymer exports from Korea reached $2.1B. China, Hong Kong SAR and Turkey constitute the leading importers of Korean ABS plastics. In 2020, the average ABS copolymer export price country’s amounted to $1,521 per tonne, down by -7.9% against the previous year.

South Korea’s ABS Copolymer Exports by Country

South Korea is the world’s largest supplier of primary ABS copolymers, accounting for 46% of global exports. In the first seven months of 2021, South Korea exported 759K tonnes of primary ABS copolymers worth $1.76B, a 60%-increase in value terms against the same period of 2020.

In 2020, ABS copolymer exports from South Korea declined to 1.3M tonnes, approximately mirroring 2019 figures. In value terms, ABS copolymer exports dropped from $2.2B in 2019 to $2.1B (IndexBox estimates) in 2020.

China (499K tonnes) was the leading destination for ABS copolymer exports from South Korea, accounting for 37% of total exports. Moreover, ABS copolymer exports to China exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Hong Kong SAR (120K tonnes), fourfold. Turkey (80K tonnes) ranked third in terms of total exports with a 6% share. In value terms, China ($725M) remains the key foreign market for ABS copolymer exports from South Korea, comprising 35% of total exports. Hong Kong SAR ($178M) occupied the second position in the ranking, with an 8.7% share of total exports. It was followed by Turkey, with a 5.9% share.

In 2020, the average annual growth rate of exports value sent to China totalled +5.2%. Exports to the other significant destinations recorded the following average annual rates of export growth: Hong Kong SAR (-20.4% per year) and Turkey (+3.2% per year).

In 2020, the average ABS copolymer export price amounted to $1,521 per tonne, falling by -7.9% against the previous year. Average prices varied noticeably for the major overseas markets. In 2020, the countries with the highest prices were Mexico ($1,721 per tonne) and the U.S. ($1,663 per tonne), while the average price for exports to China ($1,452 per tonne) and Malaysia ($1,460 per tonne) were amongst the lowest. In 2020, the most notable growth rate in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Hong Kong SAR, while the prices for the other significant destinations declined.

Source: IndexBox Platform

market

HONG KONG DRIVES TO CAPTURE THE COLD-CHAIN MARKET

In Hong Kong, where many U.S. businesses send shipments to and receive goods from, a new drive to maximize cold chain opportunities is being realized and embraced.

By leveraging Hong Kong’s unique location to support fruit businesses tapping into the growing mainland Chinese market, fresh produce worth more than US$3 billion is arriving at Hong Kong Seaport Alliance (HKSPA) terminals annually.

Through the deployment of more than 7,800 reefer points, twice the capacity of other terminals in southern China, HKSPA expedites every container of fruit through its facilities to enable the freshest delivery to market. 

American companies shipping fresh fruit produce to the region should bear Hong Kong’s port facilities in mind, especially given Chinese demand for fruit imports is predicted to grow by 55 percent come 2025.

Further adding to Hong Kong’s appeal, HKSPA claims consignees can collect shipments immediately after discharge and be on their way within 15 minutes. Simple, convenient, and fast customs procedures mean Shenzhen is an hour away, while one of the world’s largest fruit-consuming epicenters, Guangzhou’s Jiangnan Wholesale Fruit and Vegetable Market, is just four hours by road.

recordkeeping

BIS Updates Hong Kong Recordkeeping FAQs Consistent with Removal of Hong Kong from EAR Country Chart

The merging of Hong Kong with China with respect to Hong Kong’s treatment under the Export Administration Regulations (“EAR”) is now reflected in the Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security’s Hong Kong recordkeeping guidance. On February 19, 2021, BIS updated its Hong Kong recordkeeping FAQs to make that guidance consistent with the final rule BIS issued on December 23, 2020 implementing Executive Order 13936 (the “E.O.”). The E.O. was signed in the wake of U.S. objections to Chinese government national security legislation imposed on Hong Kong in 2020, which outlaws any act of “secession,” “terrorism,” or “collusion” with a foreign power.

Since April 19, 2017, exporters of items to Hong Kong and reexporters of items from Hong Kong have been required to comply with an additional recordkeeping requirement if the items are controlled multilaterally for Chemical Biological (“CB”), Missile Technology (“MT”), Nuclear Proliferation (“NP”), or National Security (“NS”) reasons. Documentation demonstrating compliance with Hong Kong import and export licensing requirements must be obtained prior to all such export activities and kept on file. When no Hong Kong import or export license is required, the exporter or reexporter must retain a “NLR Notification” from the Hong Kong government or “website information” confirming the No License Required (“NLR”) status of the item to be imported to or exported from Hong Kong. The Hong Kong export/import licensing recordkeeping requirement does not apply to EAR99 items and items unilaterally controlled by the U.S.

The recent updates to the Hong Kong FAQs were not unexpected.  The updates appear to implicitly take into account recent developments such as Hong Kong’s removal from the Country Chart (because it is now considered a China destination) and Hong Kong’s now suspended preferential treatment under various license exceptions, which BIS recently changed via final rule on December 23, 2020.

The Hong Kong-specific export/import licensing recordkeeping requirement is in addition to the EAR’s other substantial recordkeeping requirements for all export activities detailed in 15 C.F.R. Part 762.

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Tony Busch is an attorney in Husch Blackwell LLP’s Washington, D.C. office.

Cortney O’Toole Morgan is a Washington D.C.-based partner with the law firm Husch Blackwell LLP. She leads the firm’s International Trade & Supply Chain group.

Grant Leach is an Omaha-based partner with the law firm Husch Blackwell LLP focusing on international trade, export controls, trade sanctions and anti-corruption compliance.

OFAC

OFAC Implements Hong Kong-Related Sanctions Regulations Pursuant to E.O. 13936

The U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”) published regulations in the Federal Register on January 15, 2021, to implement Executive Order 13936 (“E.O. 13936”), titled “The President’s Executive Order on Hong Kong Normalization.”  The President determined on July 14, 2020, in E.O. 13936 that Hong Kong was no longer sufficiently autonomous to justify special treatment under U.S. law, due to the implementation of the Law of the People’s Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Administrative Region (“National Security Law”). Additionally, E.O. 13936 directed the Department of Treasury to implement sanctions on persons undermining democracy in Hong Kong.

OFAC’s Hong Kong regulations formally block transactions prohibited by E.O. 13936 and establish the process by which persons and entities are added to OFAC’s Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List (“SDN List”). On January 15, 2021 OFAC also added six (6) persons to the SDN List pursuant to E.O. 13936. These persons were found to have been involved in the implementation of the National Security Law and to be undermining democratic processes in Hong Kong. As a result, all property and interests in property of 50% or greater belonging to these persons—which are in the U.S. or held by U.S. persons—must be blocked and reported to OFAC.

OFAC stated in its final rule that the regulations “are being published in abbreviated form at this time for the purpose of providing immediate guidance to the public,” and that OFAC intends to supplement with “a more comprehensive set of regulations.” However, since the OFAC regulations are a published final rule, they are not impacted by the President’s “Regulatory Freeze Pending Review Memorandum” and are therefore in effect until amended or withdrawn.

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Cortney O’Toole Morgan is a Washington D.C.-based partner with the law firm Husch Blackwell LLP. She leads the firm’s International Trade & Supply Chain group.

Grant Leach is an Omaha-based partner with the law firm Husch Blackwell LLP focusing on international trade, export controls, trade sanctions and anti-corruption compliance.

Julia Banegas is an attorney in Husch Blackwell LLP’s Washington, D.C. office.

Camron Greer is an Assistant Trade Analyst in Husch Blackwell LLP’s Washington D.C. office.

leader

Global Traders on the Move: Latest Leadership Update

Fullen Dock & Warehouse, a full-service Mississippi River terminal, warehousing, trucking, aggregates supply and logistics company, appointed Greg Hutchison president of the company. In this role, he will be responsible for leading all commercial activities and the operations of the Memphis, Tennessee-based company.

ArcBest, a leader in supply chain logistics, recently announced organizational changes to strategically align certain functions of the Fort Smith, Arkansas-based company’s suite of integrated solutions. Earlier this year, Dennis Anderson was promoted to chief customer officer and is now overseeing all customer-facing functions including sales, marketing, customer service as well as strategy. Danny Loe, chief yield officer, will assume the position of president, Asset-Light Logistics while retaining his yield strategy leadership role. One reason Anderson and Loe may have decided to stay with ArcBest: It has been recognized as one of America’s Best-In-State Employers for 2020 by Forbes and Statista Inc.

OmniTRAX, one of the fastest-growing railroads in North America and an affiliate of Denver, Colorado-based The Broe Group, appointed Mike Brothers chairman of its newly established Audit Committee as part of the company’s strategic growth plan. Previously the responsibility of the entire board, the Audit Committee is now comprised of OmniTRAX board members, Broe family members and management representatives.

Citi Treasury and Trade Solutions has appointed Kanika Thakur as Asia Pacific Head of Trade. Based in Hong Kong, Thakur succeeds Vishal Kapoor, who was named head of Treasury and Trade Solutions for Citi Hong Kong earlier this year.

GoExpedi, an innovative e-commerce, supply chain, and analytics company for industrial and energy maintenance, repair and operations concerns, has named prominent energy executive Noel Connolly senior vice president of Digital Strategy. Houston, Texas-based GoExpedi as boosted its sales team with the additions of Elizabeth Stephens as Director of Business Development covering the Houston region; Dan Farrell, director of Business Development covering Mobile, Alabama; Sammy Steinmark, senior Business Development manager; Jody Coffman, Business Development Manager covering the Dallas/Fort Worth region; John Reyes, Business Development Manager covering the Midland/Odessa region; and Jantz Theriot, Business Development manager covering New Orleans and the Gulf Coast region.

WAGO promoted Clayton Windsor to product manager-DIN rail mount terminal blocks. He has held the position of product specialist for Marking and Tools at Germantown, Wisconsin-based WAGO for the past two and a half years.

Washington, D.C.-based law firm McDermott Will & Emery builds on its international trade footprint with the addition of Joanne Osendarp and Eric Parnes as partners; Dean Pinkert, former commissioner of the U.S. International Trade Commission, as senior counsel; Tim Hruby, Lynn Kamarck, and Alan Kashdan as counsel; and associate Conor Gilligan.

Charles Taylor, the Wilton, Connecticut-based provider of services and technology solutions to the global insurance market, expanded its Marine Technical Services team with the addition of four senior marine surveyors: John Poulson, Sean Murphy, Glenn Walker and Peter Poulson. Also, Lillian Aquilia is now operations manager. They will serve at Charles Taylor locations in New York, Boston, Savannah and San Francisco.

At press time, The International Air Cargo Association (TIACA) was considering candidates for its new director-general role. Essentially the CEO, the director-general will report to the TIACA Board and be in charge of planning and executing new strategy; delivering projects and programs; and financial and operational management of the head office in Miami. Céline Hourcade is currently serving as the TIACA’s transition director.

Tactical Edge, a leading logistics and supply-chain IT solutions company out of San Diego, California, is now sponsoring rising LPGA pro golfer Emma Talley.

The National Marine Representatives Association awarded its 2020 NMRA Maritime Trades Scholarship of $3,000 to Matthew Reynolds of Brohman, Michigan. Established in 2008, the scholarship awards students of excellence who are pursuing a marine industry career.

hong kong

LATEST: CBP Issues Marking Guidance for Goods Produced in Hong Kong

On August 10, 2020, U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP) issued a notice that goods produced in Hong Kong will need to be marked as a product of China starting on September 25, 2020. The marking changes are the result of the July 14, 2020 Executive Order on Hong Kong Normalization that ended Hong Kong’s special trade status.

CBP is allowing for a 45-day transition period after the date of publication in the Federal Register to implement the requirements due to the “commercial realities.” The notice does not specify how the changes affect tariff treatment of Hong Kong goods.

An administration official has stated that the Executive Order does not “provide for new U.S. tariffs on goods from Hong Kong”, but that the Administration is continuing to evaluate its policies. Therefore, at this time, it remains unclear whether goods originating in Hong Kong will be subject to the same tariffs as Chinese origin goods, including antidumping duties, countervailing duties and Section 301 duties.

Additional guidance from CBP, USTR and the U.S. Department of Commerce is expected.

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Stephen Brophy is an attorney in Husch Blackwell LLP’s Washington, D.C. office focusing on international trade.

Robert Stang is a Washington, D.C.-based partner with the law firm Husch Blackwell LLP. He leads the firm’s Customs group.

Turner Kim is an Assistant Trade Analyst in Husch Blackwell LLP’s Washington, D.C. office.

Camron Greer is an Assistant Trade Analyst in Husch Blackwell LLP’s Washington, D.C. office.

sanctions

Hong Kong Sanctions Bill Passes Congress

On July 2, 2020, Congress passed the Hong Kong Autonomy Act.  Once signed by President Trump into law, the Act will require the Secretaries of State and Treasury to designate certain persons and financial institutions deemed responsible for eroding Hong Kong’s autonomy and in turn require the President to sanction such designated parties.

The Act comes on the heels of Beijing’s passage of a national security law that critics claim undermines the “One Country, Two Systems” framework that has been in place since the British handover of its former colony in 1997. Under the 1984 Joint Declaration between the U.K. and Chinese governments governing the terms of the handover, certain guarantees were required to be written into the Hong Kong Basic Law (i.e., the de facto Hong Kong constitution) to ensure certain political rights and the semi-autonomy of the territory from mainland China through at least 2047. The recently passed national security law is the latest in a string of moves by Beijing to more closely integrate Hong Kong with the mainland.

Summary of the Legislation

The Hong Kong Autonomy Act would require the Secretary of State to identify and report to Congress within 90 days persons providing or attempting to provide a material contribution “to the failure of the Government of China to meet its obligations under the Joint Declaration or the Basic Law.” This is defined under the Act to include any person who “took action that resulted in the inability of the people of Hong Kong . . . to enjoy freedom of assembly, speech, press, or independent rule of law; or . . . to participate in democratic outcomes; or . . . otherwise took action that reduces the high degree of autonomy of Hong Kong.” Once a report is made to Congress, the President is required to impose property blocking sanctions and visa restrictions on the identified parties within one year. The Act requires that the Secretary of State provide an unclassified assessment for imposition of such sanctions “so as to permit a clear path for the removal of economic penalties if the sanctioned behavior is reversed and verified by the Secretary of State.”

Similarly, between 30 and 60 days from the Secretary of State’s report, the Secretary of the Treasury would be required to identify and report to Congress “any foreign financial institution that knowingly conducts a significant transaction” with a foreign person identified by the Secretary of State. Within one year, the President must impose at least five of ten possible “menu-based” sanctions on the financial institution, which include, for example, restrictions on loans from U.S. financial institutions, restrictions on bank transfers subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, and/or asset blocking sanctions. Within two years, the President must impose all ten of the sanctions on the financial institution.

Both reports by the Secretary of State and Secretary of the Treasury must be unclassified and available to the public, although certain provisions would allow for the omission of information that would compromise an intelligence operation or subvert law enforcement activities. The reports are required to be updated no less frequently than annually.

Although the sanctions provisions are characterized in the Act as “mandatory,” the Act also empowers the President with a high degree of discretion to remove identified persons or financial institutions or terminate existing sanctions under the Act if the President determines that the material contribution or significant transaction by the identified party:

— “does not have a significant and lasting negative effect that contravenes the obligations of China under the Joint Declaration and the Basic Law;”

— “is not likely to be repeated in the future;” and

— “has been reversed or otherwise mitigated through positive countermeasures taken by” the identified person or financial institution.

The President is required to notify Congress and provide a rationale when exercising this discretion. Further, the Act authorizes the President to waive the application of sanctions if the President “determines that the waiver is in the national security interest of the United States” and notifies Congress of the waiver and the rationale for doing so.

Context

Hong Kong has been rocked by mass protests since last summer, which were first sparked by a bill proposed in April 2019 that would allow extraditions to mainland China. The proposed law drew significant protests from critics who claim the bill would be contrary to the Joint Declaration because, among other things, it could be used to target political dissidents. Ultimately, Beijing withdrew the extradition bill in September 2019. However, while protests have subsided somewhat in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, they have persisted more or less continuously.

Notably, the Basic Law required Hong Kong to pass legislation to address national security, which the city has never done, despite some unsuccessful attempts. Citing Hong Kong’s failure to enact its own national security legislation and the protestors’ “collu[sion] with external forces,” on June 30, 2020, Beijing enacted its own national security law applicable to Hong Kong which, inter alia, criminalizes “secessionist, subversive or terrorist” activities with penalties of up to life in prison; empowers Beijing to deploy mainland security forces; and overrides the ability of local Hong Kong courts to interpret the law.

Likely Practical Effect

The Hong Kong Autonomy Act represents an escalation in tensions between the United States and China. However, because of the wide discretion granted to the President under the Act, the actual effect of the legislation is unclear for the time being. In particular, the Trump Administration reportedly attempted to delay passage of the bill, and has thus far resisted imposing significant sanctions under a similar bill targeting China for alleged human rights abuses of minority Uighurs in order to salvage his trade deal with Beijing.

Because the Secretary of State must take the first action prior to set in motion any sanctions under the Act, the speed with which Secretary Pompeo makes the required designations will be a good indication of the Trump Administration’s intent. Parties interested in potential sanctions under the Act should monitor the State Department for developments.

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By Ryan Fayhee, Roy (Ruoweng) Liu and Tyler Grove at law firm Hughes Hubbard & Reed LLP

vessel

HONG KONG SEAPORT ALLIANCE WELCOMES THE WORLD’S LARGEST CONTAINER VESSEL

Despite the political turmoil gripping Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Seaport Alliance (HKSPA) welcomed HMM GDANSK, the world’s largest container vessel, on its July 12 maiden call to Hong Kong at Kwai Tsing Container Terminal 7.

HMM GDANSK , which is one of the twelve 24,000-TEU class of mega vessels of HMM Co., Ltd., the vessel features a length of 1,312 feet, a width of nearly 201 feet and a maximum capacity of 23,964 TEU. Since June, the vessel has operated THE Alliance Far East Europe 3 service that connects major ports in China, Asia and Europe.

“We are excited to welcome the world’s biggest vessel on its maiden call at such challenging times,” said Leonard Fung, managing director of Hongkong International Terminals (HIT), upon the HMM GDANSK’s arrival.

“This is a momentous event for Hong Kong’s maritime industry and HIT, signifying a vote of confidence in our offering and allowing us to capture future opportunities.”

The vessel is billed as being equipped with the world’s most advanced DS4 (DSME Smart Ship Platform), ECDIS (Electronic Chart Display and Information System), monitoring system and smart navigation system. In response to the new International Maritime Organization’s environmental regulations, HMM GDANSK has installed scrubbers to reduce its sulfur emissions.

goat meat

The Asian-Pacific Goat Meat Market to Retain Robust Growth

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

The Asia-Pacific goat meat market expanded rapidly to $30.1B in 2019, growing by 9.9% 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). The total market indicated a prominent expansion from 2007 to 2019: its value increased at an average annual rate of +1.8% over the last twelve-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2019 figures, consumption increased by +56.7% against 2014 indices. The level of consumption peaked in 2019 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

Consumption by Country

The country with the largest volume of goat meat consumption was China (2.4M tonnes), comprising approx. 61% of total volume. Moreover, goat meat consumption in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest consumer, India (502K tonnes), fivefold. The third position in this ranking was occupied by Pakistan (352K tonnes), with a 9.1% share.

In China, goat meat consumption increased at an average annual rate of +1.9% over the period from 2007-2019. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: India (-0.5% per year) and Pakistan (+2.8% per year).

In value terms, China ($22.7B) led the market, alone. The second position in the ranking was occupied by India ($2.4B). It was followed by Pakistan.

The countries with the highest levels of goat meat per capita consumption in 2019 were Nepal (2.47 kg per person), Myanmar (1.89 kg per person) and Pakistan (1.72 kg per person).

Market Forecast 2019-2030

Driven by increasing demand for goat meat 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 +1.5% for the period from 2019 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 4.6M tonnes by the end of 2030.

Production in Asia-Pacific

In 2019, goat meat production in Asia-Pacific rose to 3.9M tonnes, with an increase of 2% on 2018 figures. The total output volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.8% from 2007 to 2019; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed in certain years. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 3.4% y-o-y. Over the period under review, production reached the peak volume in 2019 and is likely to see gradual growth in the immediate term. The general positive trend in terms output was largely conditioned by a mild expansion of the number of producing animals and a relatively flat trend pattern in yield figures.

In value terms, goat meat production soared to $36.8B in 2019 estimated in export prices. Overall, production posted a remarkable increase. Over the period under review, production hit record highs in 2019 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Production by Country

China (2.4M tonnes) remains the largest goat meat producing country in Asia-Pacific, accounting for 61% of total volume. Moreover, goat meat production in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, India (502K tonnes), fivefold. The third position in this ranking was occupied by Pakistan (353K tonnes), with a 9.1% share.

In China, goat meat production increased at an average annual rate of +1.9% over the period from 2007-2019. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: India (-0.5% per year) and Pakistan (+2.7% per year).

Producing Animals in Asia-Pacific

In 2019, the number of animals slaughtered for goat meat production in Asia-Pacific expanded to 291M heads, picking up by 1.6% compared with the previous year. This number increased at an average annual rate of +1.5% over the period from 2007 to 2019; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations in certain years. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2009 when the number of producing animals increased by 5.3% year-to-year. Over the period under review, this number hit record highs at 291M heads in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2019, producing animals failed to regain the momentum.

Yield in Asia-Pacific

The average goat meat yield amounted to 13 kg per head in 2019, leveling off at the year before. Over the period under review, the yield saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 5.1% y-o-y. Over the period under review, the goat meat yield hit record highs in 2019 and is likely to see steady growth in years to come.

Imports in Asia-Pacific

In 2019, the amount of goat meat imported in Asia-Pacific contracted to 8.8K tonnes, waning by -9.2% on 2018. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.2% from 2007 to 2019; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 when imports increased by 25% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of 12K tonnes. From 2015 to 2019, the growth imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, goat meat imports declined to $43M (IndexBox estimates) in 2019. Overall, imports, however, recorded buoyant growth. The level of import peaked at $57M in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2019, imports yet failed to regain the momentum.

Imports by Country

The purchases of the four major importers of goat meat, namely Taiwan, Viet Nam, South Korea and Hong Kong SAR, represented more than two-thirds of total import. It was distantly followed by Japan (460 tonnes), making up a 5.2% share of total imports. China (317 tonnes), Macao SAR (292 tonnes), India (209 tonnes), Sri Lanka (185 tonnes), Malaysia (177 tonnes) and the Philippines (169 tonnes) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2007 to 2019, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the key importing countries, was attained by India, while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest goat meat importing markets in Asia-Pacific were Taiwan ($12M), South Korea ($9.4M) and Hong Kong SAR ($6.4M), together comprising 64% of total imports. These countries were followed by Japan, Viet Nam, Macao SAR, China, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, the Philippines and India, which together accounted for a further 32%.

Among the main importing countries, India recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

In 2019, the goat meat import price in Asia-Pacific amounted to $4,887 per tonne, waning by -2.2% against the previous year. Import price indicated a perceptible increase from 2007 to 2019: its price increased at an average annual rate of +4.5% over the last twelve years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2019 figures, goat meat import price decreased by -15.8% against 2017 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 when the import price increased by 22% year-to-year. Over the period under review, import prices reached the peak figure at $5,802 per tonne in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2019, import prices failed to regain the momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2019, the country with the highest price was Macao SAR ($7,657 per tonne), while Viet Nam ($1,613 per tonne) was amongst the lowest.

From 2007 to 2019, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Macao SAR, while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox AI Platform

Ports America IANA

Ports America Announces New Leadership for 2020

Modern Terminals Hong Kong managing director and CEO Peter Levesque was confirmed this week as the newly appointed president for the largest North American marine terminal and stevedore, Ports America. Mr. Levesque will step into the role starting in February 2020 bringing decades of experience and a proven track record of success.

“I am thrilled to have Peter be part of our leadership team of the Ports America platform. Ports America remains focused on providing best-in-class service to many of the world’s leading shipping lines as well as the work we have completed in improving workflow solutions to beneficial cargo owners to drive dramatic growth for the company,” said Ports America CEO Mark Montgomery.

Mr. Levesque brings more than 30 years of experience in maritime business, with nine years of leadership with Modern Terminals and spearheading the Public Private Partnership (PPP) for the company.

“Having Peter Levesque join Mark Montgomery, Rick Surett and Jim Pelliccio as a core part of the management team is central to the strategic growth plan for Ports America,” said Dave Starling,  company board chairman.

“Peter’s strong leadership, experience and success in building superior organizations gives the board the utmost confidence that this team will drive the continued success of the company.”