The ordered rows of farmland in this southwest corner of Ukraine can feel like an anomaly in a country under attack.Ukraine is world's 5th-largest exporter of wheat, as well as a major exporter of corn and sunflower
Fields and pastures in other regions are pockmarked by shelling, with farmers unable to work their land.
Here, in countryside just west of the Black Sea port city of Odesa, trucks spraying insecticide move through planted crops in long, slow sweeps, the metal arms that carry the nozzles spread wide like a dragonfly's wings.
Baby sunflower plants are already reaching skyward and fields of wheat are just starting to deepen in colour.
Read more at:
Amid Russian naval blockades, Ukrainian farmers fear their grain has nowhere to go | CBC News
Showing posts with label Exports. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Exports. Show all posts
6/7/22
1/26/21
EU Vaccine sales and distribution: EU begins to clamp down on vaccine exports as supplies fall short - by Michael Le Page
The European Union has taken a first step towards clamping down on the export of coronavirus vaccines after pharmaceutical firm AstraZeneca told the bloc it would deliver far fewer doses than expected in the next months. The EU hasn’t stopped manufacturers from selling to outside nations, including the UK, but has taken a step towards this by requiring vaccine manufacturers to give notice before exporting.
“In the future, all companies producing vaccines against covid-19 in the EU will have to provide early notification whenever they want to export vaccines to third countries,” said Stella Kyriakides, the EU commissioner for health, on 25 January. “Humanitarian deliveries are, of course, not affected by this. The European Union will take any action required to protect its citizens and rights.”
Even before it was clear whether any vaccine would work, many countries signed deals with vaccine-makers to provide set numbers of doses by certain dates. As part of these, countries paid in advance for the preparation of manufacturing facilities.
?
AstraZeneca was meant to deliver 80 million doses of its vaccine to the EU by the end of March. The EU hasn’t yet approved this vaccine, but is expected to do so soon.
Last week, AstraZeneca told the EU that it would only be able to deliver 31 million doses. According to Reuters, this is because the EU doses are being made at a vaccine factory in Belgium run by a company called Novasep that has faced production problems.
Read more at: "EU begins to clamp down on vaccine exports as supplies fall short | New Scientist
“In the future, all companies producing vaccines against covid-19 in the EU will have to provide early notification whenever they want to export vaccines to third countries,” said Stella Kyriakides, the EU commissioner for health, on 25 January. “Humanitarian deliveries are, of course, not affected by this. The European Union will take any action required to protect its citizens and rights.”
Even before it was clear whether any vaccine would work, many countries signed deals with vaccine-makers to provide set numbers of doses by certain dates. As part of these, countries paid in advance for the preparation of manufacturing facilities.
?
AstraZeneca was meant to deliver 80 million doses of its vaccine to the EU by the end of March. The EU hasn’t yet approved this vaccine, but is expected to do so soon.
Last week, AstraZeneca told the EU that it would only be able to deliver 31 million doses. According to Reuters, this is because the EU doses are being made at a vaccine factory in Belgium run by a company called Novasep that has faced production problems.
Read more at: "EU begins to clamp down on vaccine exports as supplies fall short | New Scientist
8/7/20
China′s July exports spike an unexpected 7.2%
China's economy appears to be recovering from the pandemic-induced
slowdown, reporting an on-year rise in exports of 7.2% in July
on Friday.
The increase confounded market analysts' expectations. They had predicted a modest drop in exports of around 0.2% – 0.7% caused by a recent spike in global virus infections, sparking renewed lockdowns and weakening global demand.
China, where the virus broke out in early December, was the first economy to shut down to fight the coronavirus and the first to reopen after the ruling Communist Party declared victory over the disease in March.
Read more at:
China′s July exports spike an unexpected 7.2% | News | DW | 07.08.2020
The increase confounded market analysts' expectations. They had predicted a modest drop in exports of around 0.2% – 0.7% caused by a recent spike in global virus infections, sparking renewed lockdowns and weakening global demand.
China, where the virus broke out in early December, was the first economy to shut down to fight the coronavirus and the first to reopen after the ruling Communist Party declared victory over the disease in March.
Read more at:
China′s July exports spike an unexpected 7.2% | News | DW | 07.08.2020
7/23/19
US Wine Exports Hurt ByTariffs: Hit by 93 percent tax, Napa wine falls victim to trade war - by Romy Varghese
A decade ago, basketball legend Yao Ming was such a celebrity in China that he carried the Olympic torch into Tiananmen Square.
But these days, not even the 7-foot, 6-inch Yao can fight his way through the U.S.-China trade war.
Yao’s trouble involves, of all things, wine, his post-NBA business in Napa Valley. Across California, the state’s signature wine business is getting hit by the tit-for-tat tariffs coming out of Washington and Beijing.
China’s latest round of retaliatory tariffs put the combined tax rate on a bottle of American wine at 93%, pushing prices out of reach for much of the Asian country’s growing middle class. Yao Family Wines, started by the Hall of Famer in 2011, has seen its export business drop by half over the past year, said Tom Hinde, the vineyard’s president and winemaker.
California vintners large and small who have spent years building relationships with China are now seeing their work undone by the tariff dispute.
Their travails illustrate the far-reaching effects of President Donald Trump’s trade war, where carefully laid business plans from fishing rod suppliers to soybean farmers can turn on the latest headline, meeting or tweet.
“There’s indecisiveness in the outcome, so that puts a pall over the buyers’ enthusiasm,” Hinde said. “We’re hurting ourselves.”
Read more: Hit by 93 percent tax, Napa wine falls victim to trade war
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But these days, not even the 7-foot, 6-inch Yao can fight his way through the U.S.-China trade war.
Yao’s trouble involves, of all things, wine, his post-NBA business in Napa Valley. Across California, the state’s signature wine business is getting hit by the tit-for-tat tariffs coming out of Washington and Beijing.
China’s latest round of retaliatory tariffs put the combined tax rate on a bottle of American wine at 93%, pushing prices out of reach for much of the Asian country’s growing middle class. Yao Family Wines, started by the Hall of Famer in 2011, has seen its export business drop by half over the past year, said Tom Hinde, the vineyard’s president and winemaker.
California vintners large and small who have spent years building relationships with China are now seeing their work undone by the tariff dispute.
Their travails illustrate the far-reaching effects of President Donald Trump’s trade war, where carefully laid business plans from fishing rod suppliers to soybean farmers can turn on the latest headline, meeting or tweet.
“There’s indecisiveness in the outcome, so that puts a pall over the buyers’ enthusiasm,” Hinde said. “We’re hurting ourselves.”
Read more: Hit by 93 percent tax, Napa wine falls victim to trade war
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2/26/19
The Netherlands - California Relations: 100,000 tulips headed to San Francisco — and they're free for the picking - by Michelle Robertson
San Francisco will get a pop of color and a taste of Dutch culture next week with the deposit of 100,000 tulips in Union Square.
March 1 is American Tulip Day, a celebration of American tulips
grown from Dutch-raised bulbs. To celebrate, Dutch flower bulb trader
Royal Anthos, iBulb.org and the Consulate of General of San Francisco
are transporting thousands of multicolor tulips to the bustling tourist
center.
Visitors are invited to pick their own bunch of tulips to take home between 1 p.m. and 4:30 p.m., the three-and-a-half-hour stretch that the garden is open to the public. Access to the garden — and the tulips — is free.
The Netherlands has a long history of tulip cultivation and exportation. Originally cultivated in the Ottoman Empire, the tulip — Latin for "flower that looks like a turban" — arrived in Holland during the 16th century.
Frequently depicted in the artwork and literature of the Dutch Golden Age, the tulip went on to become one of the most prized objects of the period. Between 1634 and 1637, a speculative frenzy for tulips led to a period known as "tulip mania." Prizes for bulbs skyrocketed, triggering one of the country's first economic bubbles.
The Dutch went on to become the world's premier tulip exporters, with the U.S. its most avid customer. Each year, the Netherlands ships around 450 million tulip bulbs to the country, which are planted, grown and sold stateside.
American Tulip Day, Union Square, March 2, 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., americantulipday.com.
Read more: 100,000 tulips headed to San Francisco — and they're free for the picking
Visitors are invited to pick their own bunch of tulips to take home between 1 p.m. and 4:30 p.m., the three-and-a-half-hour stretch that the garden is open to the public. Access to the garden — and the tulips — is free.
The Netherlands has a long history of tulip cultivation and exportation. Originally cultivated in the Ottoman Empire, the tulip — Latin for "flower that looks like a turban" — arrived in Holland during the 16th century.
Frequently depicted in the artwork and literature of the Dutch Golden Age, the tulip went on to become one of the most prized objects of the period. Between 1634 and 1637, a speculative frenzy for tulips led to a period known as "tulip mania." Prizes for bulbs skyrocketed, triggering one of the country's first economic bubbles.
The Dutch went on to become the world's premier tulip exporters, with the U.S. its most avid customer. Each year, the Netherlands ships around 450 million tulip bulbs to the country, which are planted, grown and sold stateside.
American Tulip Day, Union Square, March 2, 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., americantulipday.com.
Read more: 100,000 tulips headed to San Francisco — and they're free for the picking
8/20/18
EU-US Trade Relations: Six Ways How Trump Gets Trade and Europe Wrong - by Holger Schmieding
U.S. President Donald Trump is bringing the world close to a genuine trade war. Judging by his own rhetoric, Trump gets key trade issues wrong on at least six counts:
1. If China poses a problem, why not join forces with the EU?
In his dealings with China, Trump has half a point. China ought to change some of its practices, including its penchant for forced technology transfer and its habit of discriminating against foreign companies.
These legitimate concerns do not apply to the EU, however. Unfortunately, Trump seems to have rejected the original EU offer to jointly lean on China to mend its ways.
2. Can trade barriers reduce a U.S. deficit in a meaningful way?
Not really. The U.S. current account deficit of 2.3% of U.S. GDP in 2017 is not the result of supposedly unfair practices of trading partners.
Instead, the U.S. deficit reflects the country’s traditionally strong appetite for imports as well as the fact that the United States does not save enough to finance its investments at home. Short of actually halting imports, U.S. trade barriers will not change these factors very much.
3. Does the EU run a surplus with the U.S.?
Trump complains about too many German cars on Fifth Avenue — although half of those cars may actually be built in the United States.
Still, the United States indeed imports more goods from the EU than it sells in Europe. But that is only half the truth. The U.S. goods deficit is offset by a small surplus in services and a big surplus in income (largely from the Netherlands where some U.S. companies seem to pool their EU-wide profits).
As the chart below shows, the United States has actually run a small current account surplus with the EU since 2009. What Europe earns by selling goods to the United States, it spends on licensing fees for U.S. technology and on U.S. services. Nothing unfair here.
4. Is the EU refusing to cut tariffs on U.S. exports?
President Trump complains that EU tariffs are high. For cars, that is true. For trucks, however, it is the other way around. On average, EU tariffs are close to those of the United States.
In 2017, Trump rejected the TTIP deal that would have abolished almost all tariffs between the United States and the EU. For that, he can only blame himself.
5. Talk to Brussels, not Berlin and Wolfsburg
Trump’s ambassador to Berlin, Richard Grenell, has reportedly offered German car companies to abolish all car tariffs between the two countries on a bilateral basis.
But such a “divide and rule” attempt will not work. On trade, only the EU can and will strike deals, not Berlin. Moreover, as a result of the recent trade tensions, the EU seems more united on trade than on most other issues.
6. Can the U.S. bully the EU on trade?
The EU as such is not a strong force in global politics. But its sheer market size makes the EU the top trading power of the world.
As a result, the EU is less inclined than any other region to give in to trade threats.
Conclusion
A well-balanced deal to liberalize U.S.-EU trade is possible, but only if Trump’s advisors start to understand the EU — and then manage to convince their president.
Read more: Six Ways How Trump Gets Trade and Europe Wrong - The Globalist
1. If China poses a problem, why not join forces with the EU?
In his dealings with China, Trump has half a point. China ought to change some of its practices, including its penchant for forced technology transfer and its habit of discriminating against foreign companies.
These legitimate concerns do not apply to the EU, however. Unfortunately, Trump seems to have rejected the original EU offer to jointly lean on China to mend its ways.
2. Can trade barriers reduce a U.S. deficit in a meaningful way?
Not really. The U.S. current account deficit of 2.3% of U.S. GDP in 2017 is not the result of supposedly unfair practices of trading partners.
Instead, the U.S. deficit reflects the country’s traditionally strong appetite for imports as well as the fact that the United States does not save enough to finance its investments at home. Short of actually halting imports, U.S. trade barriers will not change these factors very much.
3. Does the EU run a surplus with the U.S.?
Trump complains about too many German cars on Fifth Avenue — although half of those cars may actually be built in the United States.
Still, the United States indeed imports more goods from the EU than it sells in Europe. But that is only half the truth. The U.S. goods deficit is offset by a small surplus in services and a big surplus in income (largely from the Netherlands where some U.S. companies seem to pool their EU-wide profits).
As the chart below shows, the United States has actually run a small current account surplus with the EU since 2009. What Europe earns by selling goods to the United States, it spends on licensing fees for U.S. technology and on U.S. services. Nothing unfair here.
4. Is the EU refusing to cut tariffs on U.S. exports?
President Trump complains that EU tariffs are high. For cars, that is true. For trucks, however, it is the other way around. On average, EU tariffs are close to those of the United States.
In 2017, Trump rejected the TTIP deal that would have abolished almost all tariffs between the United States and the EU. For that, he can only blame himself.
5. Talk to Brussels, not Berlin and Wolfsburg
Trump’s ambassador to Berlin, Richard Grenell, has reportedly offered German car companies to abolish all car tariffs between the two countries on a bilateral basis.
But such a “divide and rule” attempt will not work. On trade, only the EU can and will strike deals, not Berlin. Moreover, as a result of the recent trade tensions, the EU seems more united on trade than on most other issues.
6. Can the U.S. bully the EU on trade?
The EU as such is not a strong force in global politics. But its sheer market size makes the EU the top trading power of the world.
As a result, the EU is less inclined than any other region to give in to trade threats.
Conclusion
A well-balanced deal to liberalize U.S.-EU trade is possible, but only if Trump’s advisors start to understand the EU — and then manage to convince their president.
Read more: Six Ways How Trump Gets Trade and Europe Wrong - The Globalist
1/25/16
Eurozone: 'German Exports And The Eurozone' - by Simon Wren-Lewis
"I have argued that
the low level of German wage increases before the financial crisis were
a significant destabilising influence on the Eurozone, which also
indirectly contributed to Germany taking a hard line on austerity.
The basic idea is that Germany gained a significant competitive advantage over its Eurozone neighbours, which it has since been unwilling to unwind (through above average German inflation). What this competitiveness gain did was lead to very healthy export growth and a large current account surplus, and that additional demand meant that Germany did not suffer as much as its neighbours from the second Eurozone recession that policy created. Peter Bofinger has made a similar argument."
This argument is often criticised on the grounds that Germany’s healthy export growth was not primarily due to any competitive advantage, but instead was the result of non-price factors like strong demand from China for the type of goods Germany produces. This and other criticisms were recently made in a paper by Servaas Storm. One of the points made by Storm has itself been criticised by Thorsten Hild, and Hild’s point is entirely correct (see also Storm’s reply here). But the issue about what was the primary cause of strong export growth remains.
Trying to disentangle how much of German export growth was due to the competitiveness advantage they gained would require some econometric analysis which unfortunately I do not have time to undertake. But the point I want to make here is that if there has been a permanent positive shift in Germany’s exports (i.e one unrelated to price or cost competitiveness), then this strengthens the argument that I have been making. Before we get there, it is worth going through the basic macroeconomics involved.
Read more: 'German Exports And The Eurozone' by Simon Wren-Lewis
The basic idea is that Germany gained a significant competitive advantage over its Eurozone neighbours, which it has since been unwilling to unwind (through above average German inflation). What this competitiveness gain did was lead to very healthy export growth and a large current account surplus, and that additional demand meant that Germany did not suffer as much as its neighbours from the second Eurozone recession that policy created. Peter Bofinger has made a similar argument."
This argument is often criticised on the grounds that Germany’s healthy export growth was not primarily due to any competitive advantage, but instead was the result of non-price factors like strong demand from China for the type of goods Germany produces. This and other criticisms were recently made in a paper by Servaas Storm. One of the points made by Storm has itself been criticised by Thorsten Hild, and Hild’s point is entirely correct (see also Storm’s reply here). But the issue about what was the primary cause of strong export growth remains.
Trying to disentangle how much of German export growth was due to the competitiveness advantage they gained would require some econometric analysis which unfortunately I do not have time to undertake. But the point I want to make here is that if there has been a permanent positive shift in Germany’s exports (i.e one unrelated to price or cost competitiveness), then this strengthens the argument that I have been making. Before we get there, it is worth going through the basic macroeconomics involved.
Read more: 'German Exports And The Eurozone' by Simon Wren-Lewis
1/9/16
Weapons Industry: U.S. is the Mecca of Weapons and Killing Machine Exports.
There was a time when America’s greatest exports were high-quality
consumer goods, such as automobiles and textiles. Today, most American
manufacturing has been outsourced to Chinese and Latin American
sweatshops. However, there’s still one thing that the U.S. does
extremely well: design, manufacture and export the finest killing
machines and equipment of any nation on the planet. Furthermore, our
nation’s defense industry sells more of them than anyone else in the
world.
This windfall for fine corporations such as Lockheed-Martin, Northrop Grumman, Boeing and others is due largely to recent contracts with their three biggest customers: South Korea, Qatar and our reliable Middle Eastern “ally”, Saudi Arabia. Despite the fact that global weapons sales have leveled off and more companies are jumping into the industry in order to get their piece of the pie, U.S. weapons sales rose from $26.7 billion to $36.2 billion in 2014 – representing an increase of 35%.
While the U.S. is leading the parade of death and destruction, it’s not marching alone. In second place is Russia, having sold $10.2 billion worth of weaponry (a slight drop from the previous year), followed by Sweden, France and China.
The Congressional study in which these figures were presented finds that a weakened global economy has led to much slower sales. In fact, despite a slight increase in global weapons purchases (approximately .03%), the study found that “the international arms market is not likely growing at all.”
This state of affairs has in turn increased competition among weapons manufacturers.
And the U.S. is coming out on top. While the country is crumbling from within, those with connection to the weapons industry are swimming in pools of champagne, nibbling on truffles and fine caviar while riding aboard their private jets and luxury yachts, financed by blood-soaked dollars. It’s not likely to change, either.
Weapons manufacturers are offering great deals, such as flexible financing (making certain their customers remain debt slaves for decades), co-production agreements, and counter-trade agreements (essentially, a form of in-kind payment or barter).
Read more: U.S. is the Mecca of Weapons and Killing Machine Exports. Doesn't That Make You So Proud? - The Ring of Fire Network
This windfall for fine corporations such as Lockheed-Martin, Northrop Grumman, Boeing and others is due largely to recent contracts with their three biggest customers: South Korea, Qatar and our reliable Middle Eastern “ally”, Saudi Arabia. Despite the fact that global weapons sales have leveled off and more companies are jumping into the industry in order to get their piece of the pie, U.S. weapons sales rose from $26.7 billion to $36.2 billion in 2014 – representing an increase of 35%.
While the U.S. is leading the parade of death and destruction, it’s not marching alone. In second place is Russia, having sold $10.2 billion worth of weaponry (a slight drop from the previous year), followed by Sweden, France and China.
The Congressional study in which these figures were presented finds that a weakened global economy has led to much slower sales. In fact, despite a slight increase in global weapons purchases (approximately .03%), the study found that “the international arms market is not likely growing at all.”
This state of affairs has in turn increased competition among weapons manufacturers.
And the U.S. is coming out on top. While the country is crumbling from within, those with connection to the weapons industry are swimming in pools of champagne, nibbling on truffles and fine caviar while riding aboard their private jets and luxury yachts, financed by blood-soaked dollars. It’s not likely to change, either.
Weapons manufacturers are offering great deals, such as flexible financing (making certain their customers remain debt slaves for decades), co-production agreements, and counter-trade agreements (essentially, a form of in-kind payment or barter).
Read more: U.S. is the Mecca of Weapons and Killing Machine Exports. Doesn't That Make You So Proud? - The Ring of Fire Network
1/4/16
Global Economy impacted by China troubles: U.S., Chinese Manufacturing Activity Tanks, And The World Is Getting Worried
Fears escalated MondayJanuary 4, 2016 that the global economy could struggle more
than expected this year — a prospect that contributed to a plunge in
financial markets.
The anxiety was heightened by reports that manufacturers extended their slumps last month in the United States and China, the world's two largest economies. Factory activity contracted for a second straight month in the United States and for a 10th straight month in China. In Canada, RBC's PMI showed manufacturing shrinking for the fifth straight month.
By midafternoon, the Dow Jones industrial average had sunk more than 400 points — over 2 per cent — though the fall was also due in part to rising tensions in the Middle East. Chinese stocks fell 7 per cent Monday before trading was halted. The Toronto Stock Exchange's S&P/TSX composite index was down 82.80 points, taking the index to 12,927.15, after falling as much as 262 points earlier in the session.
Not all the news was bad. A cheaper euro has helped European manufacturing, which expanded at the fastest pace in 20 months in December, according to data firm Markit.
Still, China's persistent sluggishness may be causing broader damage than previously thought, analysts say. China's government is trying to shift its economy toward domestic consumption and away from a reliance on exports and investment in roads, factories and real estate.
Read more: U.S., Chinese Manufacturing Activity Tanks, And The World Is Getting Worried
The anxiety was heightened by reports that manufacturers extended their slumps last month in the United States and China, the world's two largest economies. Factory activity contracted for a second straight month in the United States and for a 10th straight month in China. In Canada, RBC's PMI showed manufacturing shrinking for the fifth straight month.
By midafternoon, the Dow Jones industrial average had sunk more than 400 points — over 2 per cent — though the fall was also due in part to rising tensions in the Middle East. Chinese stocks fell 7 per cent Monday before trading was halted. The Toronto Stock Exchange's S&P/TSX composite index was down 82.80 points, taking the index to 12,927.15, after falling as much as 262 points earlier in the session.
Not all the news was bad. A cheaper euro has helped European manufacturing, which expanded at the fastest pace in 20 months in December, according to data firm Markit.
Still, China's persistent sluggishness may be causing broader damage than previously thought, analysts say. China's government is trying to shift its economy toward domestic consumption and away from a reliance on exports and investment in roads, factories and real estate.
Read more: U.S., Chinese Manufacturing Activity Tanks, And The World Is Getting Worried
8/6/15
Germany: Boost for German industrial orders
Strong demand from abroad has
helped boost German industrial orders. According to figures from the
economy ministry contracts for goods from Europe’s largest economy were
up 2.0% on the month.
Read more: Boost for German industrial orders | euronews, economy
The increase for industrial orders was the biggest in the
April-June period since early 2011 despite a slowdown in China and
uncertainty caused by the Greek debt crisis.
A breakdown of the data showed factories received 4.8 percent more bookings from abroad while domestic orders fell by 2.0 percent.
“Boom. German industrial orders just defied any concerns about a slowdown in the economy,” was one economist’s reaction.
A breakdown of the data showed factories received 4.8 percent more bookings from abroad while domestic orders fell by 2.0 percent.
“Boom. German industrial orders just defied any concerns about a slowdown in the economy,” was one economist’s reaction.
Read more: Boost for German industrial orders | euronews, economy
6/8/15
The Netherlands: Dutch economy fully recovers from financial crisis - by Janene Van Jaarsveldt
By the end of this year the Dutch gross domestic product is expected
to top the real level seen in 2008 for the first time since the
financial crisis. This is according to De Nederlandsche Bank’s latest
half-yearly forecast, which was published on Monday.
According to the forecast, the Dutch economy will grow a projected 2 percent this year, the highest figure recorded since 2008. The bank expects that the Dutch economy will, on average, maintain this growth pace in 2016 and 2017, which means that the economic activity will develop more favorably than previously foreseen.
Exports remains the driving force behind the economic growth. The bank expects that the international environment will improve further, partly due to the depreciation of the euro, low level of oil prices and a pick-up in world trade growth.
Domestic spending will also contribute to economic growth – a development unseen since 2011. Private consumption will show a significant increase of 2 percent this year, for the first time since the credit crisis broke out. This can be attributed to a strong increase in real disposable income and improved sentiment.
Read more: Dutch economy fully recovers from financial crisis - NL Times
According to the forecast, the Dutch economy will grow a projected 2 percent this year, the highest figure recorded since 2008. The bank expects that the Dutch economy will, on average, maintain this growth pace in 2016 and 2017, which means that the economic activity will develop more favorably than previously foreseen.
Exports remains the driving force behind the economic growth. The bank expects that the international environment will improve further, partly due to the depreciation of the euro, low level of oil prices and a pick-up in world trade growth.
Domestic spending will also contribute to economic growth – a development unseen since 2011. Private consumption will show a significant increase of 2 percent this year, for the first time since the credit crisis broke out. This can be attributed to a strong increase in real disposable income and improved sentiment.
Read more: Dutch economy fully recovers from financial crisis - NL Times
5/13/15
Germany: Slowing exports weigh on German growth, eurozone more buoyant
Gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 0.3 percent in the first quarter,
compared with the previous three months. Analysts had expected growth of
up to 0.9 percent.
Consumers remained the principal driver of growth as a low-interest environment makes saving unattractive and rising wages and record-low unemployment boost consumption. Public spending and investment also boosted GDP.
Exports, meanwhile, rose more slowly than imports, hampered by lackluster trading with key emerging economies like Russia and Brazil. But economists are confident that the German economy is robust.
"The upswing is in good shape, we expect solid growth in the coming quarters," Unicredit economist Martina von Terzi told the DPA news agency.
Andreas Scheuerle, economist at Dekabank agrees, saying that "the global economy will pick up and lead to more export activity, paired with continuing strong domestic demand," he old the Reuters news agency.
Read more: Slowing exports weigh on German growth, eurozone more buoyant | Business | DW.DE | 13.05.2015
Consumers remained the principal driver of growth as a low-interest environment makes saving unattractive and rising wages and record-low unemployment boost consumption. Public spending and investment also boosted GDP.
Exports, meanwhile, rose more slowly than imports, hampered by lackluster trading with key emerging economies like Russia and Brazil. But economists are confident that the German economy is robust.
"The upswing is in good shape, we expect solid growth in the coming quarters," Unicredit economist Martina von Terzi told the DPA news agency.
Andreas Scheuerle, economist at Dekabank agrees, saying that "the global economy will pick up and lead to more export activity, paired with continuing strong domestic demand," he old the Reuters news agency.
Read more: Slowing exports weigh on German growth, eurozone more buoyant | Business | DW.DE | 13.05.2015
1/21/15
US Oil and Gas Exports: Crushing The U.S. Energy Export Dream - by Arthur Berman
Exporting crude oil and natural gas from the United States are among the dumbest energy ideas of all time.
Exporting gas is dumb. Exporting oil is dumber.
The U.S. imports almost half of the crude oil that we use. We import 7.5 million barrels per day. The chart below shows the EIA prediction that production will slowly fall and imports will rise after 2016.
In other words, the U.S. is a fairly minor player among the family of major oil-producing nations. For all the fanfare about the U.S. surpassing Saudi Arabia in production of crude oil, we are not even players in reserves.
What that means is that we may temporarily pass Saudi Arabia in production because it chooses to restrict full capacity, and U.S. production will fade decades before Saudi Arabia's production begins to decline.
Read more: Crushing The U.S. Energy Export Dream
Exporting gas is dumb. Exporting oil is dumber.
The U.S. imports almost half of the crude oil that we use. We import 7.5 million barrels per day. The chart below shows the EIA prediction that production will slowly fall and imports will rise after 2016.
In other words, the U.S. is a fairly minor player among the family of major oil-producing nations. For all the fanfare about the U.S. surpassing Saudi Arabia in production of crude oil, we are not even players in reserves.
What that means is that we may temporarily pass Saudi Arabia in production because it chooses to restrict full capacity, and U.S. production will fade decades before Saudi Arabia's production begins to decline.
Read more: Crushing The U.S. Energy Export Dream
1/20/15
Netherlands: Agricultural exports top 80 billion Euros
Agricultural exports from the Netherlands topped 80 billion Euros
last year (80.7 billion), up from 2013's record levels of 79 billion.
Dutch Minister for Agriculture Sharon Dijksma made the customary
announcement at the International Green Week in Berlin, the world's
largest agricultural trade fair. The figures are based on LEI Wageningen
UR estimates, and as in previous years, definitive figures are expected
this spring.
Read more:
Read more:
10/29/14
Quitting European Union Will Be Damaging For British Exports - by Kalyan Kumar
The rising clamour in Britain to quit the European Union will ultimately backfire the British exports. This warning has been sounded out by David Godfrey, CEO, UK Export Finance.
Godfrey is the head of the UK's export credit agency and he has fact to argue that sustained association with the European Union is "critical" for British exporters to avoid the risk of being frozen out of the biggest overseas markets. Godfrey, in an interview with The Telegraph,
said: "I personally think most business leaders gain an awful lot from
being part of the EU. It is critical and important for us to continue
there."
The export credit guarantee agency was set up in 1919 to support
British foreign trade soon after the First World War. Funded by the
Treasury, the agency has more than £20 billion exposure on its balance
sheet and helps British companies to stimulate exports by way of letters
of credit, payment guarantees and direct loans.
The remarks by Godfrey have come in the backdrop of Prime Minister David Cameron's statements and the soaring popularity of the Euro-sceptic UK Independence Party asking to renegotiate Britain's relationship with the EU. The prime minister even wants tightening of the UK's borders to clamp down on migrant workers from other EU states.
In a recent reaction, Jose Manuel Barroso, the outgoing president of the European Commission, also cautioned Britain against quitting EU and end up losing its global influence. The quitting process, referred as "Brexit," will land the U.K. in distress and would find it hard to negotiate with major trading partners such as China and the US on its own account, Boroso said.
8/21/14
US Exports: Maine not optimizing opportunities in being the closest US State to Europe
In a Bangor Daily News OpEd on June 10 this year Charles Hastings noted "sadly" in his "reality check" on Maine exports, that Maine "lags behind its neighbors, even at what it does best."
"In 2013, the port of Baltimore experienced significant growth in pulp and wood product exports, setting a record. Furthermore, the Canadian government and biomass giant Enviva, with manufacturing facilities located throughout the Southeastern U.S., are closely eyeing future opportunities with wood pellets, biomass and pulp — traditionally economic strong suits for Maine."
"But what our neighbors to the north and south are doing is quite the opposite of what we in Maine are doing. They are investing in capacity in anticipation of large growth not just domestically but in a fast-growing European market for biomass products."
"Countries such as Germany have created mandates to cut down on high-emission sources of energy such as coal. "
"They have decided to fill the void with solar, wind and also biomass. According to many of the reports I’ve read, biomass in Europe is expected to grow at nearly 20 percent a year and by 2020, Europe will be consuming nearly 35 million to 40 million tons of wood pellets per year. Similarly, reports are predicting that after Europe, Asia will follow in similar trends toward biomass-based fuels."
"To meet this overseas demand, companies like Enviva are investing in huge biomass and wood pellet plants, concentrated largely in Georgia and South Carolina. Once operational, these plants will provide a steady stream of pellets to ports such as the one in Baltimore, for a transatlantic ship routing to high-demand markets in Denmark, the Netherlands, the U.K. and Germany. In a similar fashion, New Brunswick and Western Canada are gearing up for their own expansions."
So where does this leave Maine?
"Biomassmagazine.com, a credible industry publication, published an article in January 2012 explaining how Maine was in an advantaged position to send pellets to Europe. The article says that while raw materials are much more expensive in Maine, that cost is offset by much more favorable freight costs from the Northeast to Europe. Further, Maine’s ports have invested in recent years in better infrastructure to provide better transportation options to shippers. But still, Maine has yet to move any significant amount of pellets or biomass to the growing European market."
"From what I can tell, the problem is capacity here in Maine to produce pellets. Maine does produce a significant amount of pellets. But at the same time, Maine is consuming almost as many as it is producing. This leaves a small margin for export. As a result, almost no Maine pellets reach the European market, which accounts for nearly 85 percent of global consumption."
How can Maine get a larger piece of the pie? Promotion is one of the most important in addition to many other avenues.
"Maine must build or expand existing pellet plants. That is the goal of F.E. Wood & Sons, which proposed in 2011 to build a pellet plant in West Baldwin, Maine. The plant would use the dormant and state-owned Mountain Division rail line to ship pellets to the port in Portland for export to Europe. This plant would offer a boost to a new proposal by local entrepreneur David Schwanke to revitalize freight service on this line operated by the Golden Eagle Rail Corp."
"But no funding has yet come forth for this plant, which was supposed to be completed in 2013. Further, a new proposal in the Prospect area by Maine Biomass Exports would use the newly formed Central Maine & Quebec Railway lines to bring biomass to Searsport for export to Europe."
"While the market in Europe is real, the market growth fueled by European Union policy is real, and competition from Canada and the Southeastern U.S. also is very real."
"While Maine continues to spin its wheels with things such as wood pellet exports, an offshoot of the forestry industry that Maine pioneered, our neighbors will continue to eat our lunch."
EU-Digest
"In 2013, the port of Baltimore experienced significant growth in pulp and wood product exports, setting a record. Furthermore, the Canadian government and biomass giant Enviva, with manufacturing facilities located throughout the Southeastern U.S., are closely eyeing future opportunities with wood pellets, biomass and pulp — traditionally economic strong suits for Maine."
"But what our neighbors to the north and south are doing is quite the opposite of what we in Maine are doing. They are investing in capacity in anticipation of large growth not just domestically but in a fast-growing European market for biomass products."
"Countries such as Germany have created mandates to cut down on high-emission sources of energy such as coal. "
"They have decided to fill the void with solar, wind and also biomass. According to many of the reports I’ve read, biomass in Europe is expected to grow at nearly 20 percent a year and by 2020, Europe will be consuming nearly 35 million to 40 million tons of wood pellets per year. Similarly, reports are predicting that after Europe, Asia will follow in similar trends toward biomass-based fuels."
"To meet this overseas demand, companies like Enviva are investing in huge biomass and wood pellet plants, concentrated largely in Georgia and South Carolina. Once operational, these plants will provide a steady stream of pellets to ports such as the one in Baltimore, for a transatlantic ship routing to high-demand markets in Denmark, the Netherlands, the U.K. and Germany. In a similar fashion, New Brunswick and Western Canada are gearing up for their own expansions."
So where does this leave Maine?
"Biomassmagazine.com, a credible industry publication, published an article in January 2012 explaining how Maine was in an advantaged position to send pellets to Europe. The article says that while raw materials are much more expensive in Maine, that cost is offset by much more favorable freight costs from the Northeast to Europe. Further, Maine’s ports have invested in recent years in better infrastructure to provide better transportation options to shippers. But still, Maine has yet to move any significant amount of pellets or biomass to the growing European market."
"From what I can tell, the problem is capacity here in Maine to produce pellets. Maine does produce a significant amount of pellets. But at the same time, Maine is consuming almost as many as it is producing. This leaves a small margin for export. As a result, almost no Maine pellets reach the European market, which accounts for nearly 85 percent of global consumption."
How can Maine get a larger piece of the pie? Promotion is one of the most important in addition to many other avenues.
"Maine must build or expand existing pellet plants. That is the goal of F.E. Wood & Sons, which proposed in 2011 to build a pellet plant in West Baldwin, Maine. The plant would use the dormant and state-owned Mountain Division rail line to ship pellets to the port in Portland for export to Europe. This plant would offer a boost to a new proposal by local entrepreneur David Schwanke to revitalize freight service on this line operated by the Golden Eagle Rail Corp."
"But no funding has yet come forth for this plant, which was supposed to be completed in 2013. Further, a new proposal in the Prospect area by Maine Biomass Exports would use the newly formed Central Maine & Quebec Railway lines to bring biomass to Searsport for export to Europe."
"While the market in Europe is real, the market growth fueled by European Union policy is real, and competition from Canada and the Southeastern U.S. also is very real."
"While Maine continues to spin its wheels with things such as wood pellet exports, an offshoot of the forestry industry that Maine pioneered, our neighbors will continue to eat our lunch."
EU-Digest
8/19/14
Canada: Nova Scotia exports up 50 per cent in first half of 2014: APEC report - by Kelly Shiers
Nova Scotia’s economy has been buoyed by gains in export sectors,
despite factors such as weakening employment and retail spending and a
slowdown in home construction being felt across the entire region, says a
report released Wednesday.
“In general, it’s a pretty soft economy across the region, including in Nova Scotia,” said Fred Bergman, senior analyst with the Atlantic Provinces Economic Council.
“Nova Scotia benefited from strong growth in natural gas exports. … Part of it was from Deep Panuke being on stream this year and also the Sable Project producing at a higher level.”
In its economic update for the region, the think-tank said total exports in Nova Scotia increased 50 per cent from January to May.
There has also been an increase in lobster and wood pulp exports.
Lobster fishery exports increased by 43 per cent to May of this year, compared to the same period in 2013. While the United States is the largest importer by far, there are growing sales to Asia over the past five years.
Sales will benefit from weekly shipments of live lobster from Halifax Stanfield International Airport via Korean Air that began May 25 and are expected to continue to the end of August, the report says.
Read more: Nova Scotia exports up 50 per cent in first half of 2014: APEC report | The Chronicle Herald
“In general, it’s a pretty soft economy across the region, including in Nova Scotia,” said Fred Bergman, senior analyst with the Atlantic Provinces Economic Council.
“Nova Scotia benefited from strong growth in natural gas exports. … Part of it was from Deep Panuke being on stream this year and also the Sable Project producing at a higher level.”
In its economic update for the region, the think-tank said total exports in Nova Scotia increased 50 per cent from January to May.
There has also been an increase in lobster and wood pulp exports.
Lobster fishery exports increased by 43 per cent to May of this year, compared to the same period in 2013. While the United States is the largest importer by far, there are growing sales to Asia over the past five years.
Sales will benefit from weekly shipments of live lobster from Halifax Stanfield International Airport via Korean Air that began May 25 and are expected to continue to the end of August, the report says.
Read more: Nova Scotia exports up 50 per cent in first half of 2014: APEC report | The Chronicle Herald
4/9/14
German imports rise to highest level in 23 years in February
German imports climbed to their highest level since
reunification while exports fell in February, in a sign that domestic
demand in Europe’s largest economy is gathering pace.
Figures from the Federal Statistics Office
showed seasonally-adjusted imports climbed by 0.4 percent to €77.6
billion, their highest level since the office started compiling
seasonally-adjusted data for reunified Germany in January 1991.
Imports had been expected to increase by a smaller 0.1 per cent, according to a Reuters poll.
Exports dropped by a larger-than-expected 1.3 per
cent, with economists putting this down to turbulence in emerging
markets and the Crimea crisis. They had been forecast to fall by 0.5 per
cent.
“Imports grew because consumers are consuming
more and companies are investing more. This trend of imports growing
more quickly than exports should continue,” said Christian Schulz, senior economist at Berenberg Bank.
Read more: German imports rise to highest level in 23 years in February - Economic News | Ireland & World Economy Headlines |The Irish Times - Wed, Apr 09, 2014
2/14/14
Valentines Day: Flowers from Gaza exported to Europe for Valentine's Day
The horticultural farms in Gaza had flourished up until 2007, when Israel tightened its blockade, following Hamas' takeover.
Israel eased its blockade in 2009, allowing Gaza farmers to export its flowers to Europe.
Since the beginning of this year, flower growers in Gaza have exported about two million flowers to Europe.
Read more: Arirang News :: Flowers from Gaza exported to Europe for Valentine's Day
1/11/14
Horticulture: The Netherlands, Spain and China, largest horticultural importers
In the period between 2009 and 2012, the Netherlands became the largest worldwide exporter and re-exporter of fruit and vegetables (including citrus), according to data provided by the Statistics Division of the United Nations.
Taking 2012's exports and re-exports into account, the Netherlands handled 14.6% of the world's total, followed by Spain, with 12.1%, and China, with 10.9%.
The fourth place in the ranking was for Mexico (9.7%), followed by the United States (8.3%), Canada (5%), France (4.4%), Belgium (3.7%), Italy (2.8%) and Germany, with 1.9%. The remaining 26.5% is distributed between other countries.
Read more: The Netherlands, Spain and China, largest horticultural importers
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