‘ASEAN, other free trade pacts hurting domestic cocoa processing sector’
May 03, 2021
Higher duty for raw material, but processed products imported duty-free, says industry
The domestic cocoa processing industry is aggrieved that India’s free trade agreements (FTAs) with the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) and other nations are hurting its competitiveness given an inverted duty structure affecting their operations.
In the case of the FTAs with ASEAN, a significant portion of processed cocoa products such as cocoa butter and powder are imported from ASEAN countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore at zero customs duty.
At the same time, when the processing units want to import cocoa beans from African nations, they have to pay 33 per cent Customs duty, which denies them an even playing field.
California Pistachio Production and Colorado Animal-Cruelty Initiative
Monday Apr 19th, 2021 From the Ag Information Network, I’m Bob Larson with your Agribusiness Update. Pistachio production and processing pumps more than $5 billion into the California economy, according to a new study commissioned by the American Pistachio Growers.
It says the pistachio business generates more than 47,000 full-time-equivalent jobs, with almost $2.5 billion in labor income.
The report says farmer investment in new pistachio acreage has helped boost the economic impact. Ranchers are keeping a wary eye on a proposed Colorado animal-cruelty initiative.
According to www.agrimarketing.com, animal-welfare advocates are trying to place the Protect Animals from Unnecessary Suffering and Exploitation, or PAUSE, initiative on the November 2022 ballot.