Links to Reports and Updates
Year-End Export Numbers - EU and Turkey
SE Asia Technical Knowledge Report
Japan Trade Mission Itinerary
Las Vegas Pulse Pack Auction Announcement
Las Vegas Auction Donation Ideas
International Year of Pulses
Duane Maatz, Executive Director 
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February 19, 2015 
Volume 1, Number 17 
Dry Bean Council Mission Statement

The United States Dry Bean Council exists to increase the consumption of U.S. beans worldwide through advocacy and education.

Topics
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Click To View Updates and Reports


Year-End Export Figures EU and Turkey
SE Asia Technical Assistance Report
Japan Trade Mission Itinerary

 

International Crop Expo

Today is the final day of the ICE in Grand Forks.  Along with the huge trade show, there is an extensive educational program.  Today's schedule for dry beans includes Market Outlook, Seeding Rate and Nitrogen Study, Insects, Understanding and Managing Root Rots.  These presentations begin at 9:00 A.M.  At 1:00 there will be a panel of three presenters -  2014 Farm Bill:  Making It Work For You.

 

 

Angola Import Quota Update

This year, the Angola government has instated a new import quota system for all major food products as well as some non-food items.  All importers were required to present their applications for import quotas on February 15th.  The Angolan government will allocate import quotas to these importers based on various criteria: import history, the amount of taxes paid in the past, number of Angolan employees, local investments, etc.  Notification of 2015 import quotas is expected in the first half of March.

 

In the meantime, some import licenses have been issued to allow for dry bean and other imports during the Feb-March period prior to quota allocation. This should allow for shipment of US pinto beans that were held in stand-by since late January.  It is hoped that the new quota system will strengthen the position of the largest and best financed importer/distributors in Angola, which in turn should benefit imports of US pinto beans to the detriment of the many smaller, opportunistic importers who have come into Angola in the last few years and who tend to trade in cheaper, lower quality beans.

 

USDBC is now preparing US Pinto Bean promotions with a number of the major Angola distributors, promoting the good cooking quality that US origin guarantees. All processors shipping to Angola should assure they include the US Bean logo on their customer's bags, or at least on the bag tag. This will help your customers battle for market share in the large Angolan market against lower-priced competition from Mexico, Canada, Ethiopia, China and other origins.

 

Source: Global Trade Atlas via David Mcclellan

 

 

 

 

 

West Coast Ports - The White House has announced that Secretary of Labor Tom Perez will help mediate the ongoing labor negotiations between the ILWU and PMA.   They have also suggested that the parties adhere to a media blackout throughout this process.  Click on the following link for more information.  

 

http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/02/14/us-usa-ports-west-obama-idUSKBN0LI0NF20150214?irpc=932

 

Obama asks labor secretary to mediate in West Coast Ports dispute

 

(Reuters) - President Barack Obama has asked Labor Secretary Tom Perez to travel to California to help spur an agreement in talks with the dockworkers' union that have led to closed ports along the U.S. West Coast, the White House said on Saturday.

 

 

"The negotiations over the functioning of the West Coast Ports have been taking place for months with the administration urging the parties to resolve their differences," White House spokesman Eric Schultz said.

 

"Out of concern for the economic consequences of further delay, the president has directed his Secretary of Labor Tom Perez travel to California to meet with the parties to urge them to resolve their dispute quickly at the bargaining table."

 

Perez has been in contact with the parties and will keep Obama updated, he said.

 

Negotiators for the union representing 20,000 dockworkers at 29 ports and management's bargaining agent, the Pacific Maritime Association, have agreed to a federal mediator's request for a 48-hour news blackout after a bargaining session on Thursday, which was the parties' first 
face-to-face meeting in nearly a week.

 

 

The Pacific Maritime Association has said the talks hit a new snag over a demand by the International Longshore and Warehouse Union for changes in the system of binding arbitration of contract disputes.

 

 

The strike has caused a back-up of nearly 30 freighters wanting to unload cargo at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, California.

 

Shippers first suspended vessel operations at the ports for two days last weekend and suspended operations again on Thursday, a union holiday. Port operations resumed in full for one eight-hour shift on Friday before the loading and unloading container ships was halted again.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Summer Board Meeting and Dry Bean Convention, Boston

The Room Block is Filling Quickly . . . Please Register Today

   The Summer Board Meeting will be held at the Fairmont Copley Plaza, Boston, MA during July.  I expect our Board Meeting dates to be July 17 - 18.  The Dry Bean Conference dates are July 18 - 21.  The room block is open and available to register.  
   Go to http://www.usdbc.com and click on 2015 Convention dates to reserve your room.  Gloria will be mailing Convention information during January.


Do you have something to include in Bean Bytes?  Please send your news and calendar updates to Duane dwmaatz@usdrybeans.com

Please forward and use the Social Media links located at the top of Bean Bytes.


 

Calendar of Events

March, 2015 Republic of Congo Africa Food Aid Mission

March 13 - 14, 2015 Rocky Mountain Bean Dealers Meeting, Denver, CO

March 25, California Dry Bean Advisory Board Meeting, Stockton, CA

April 12, 2015 Strategic Planning Part II Las Vegas, NV

April 12-15, 2015 Global Pulse Confederation Convention, Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, NV

Dates to be determined, Japan Trade Mission - Bean Paste, Manufacturers, Trade Members

Dates to Be Determined, Myanmar Trade Mission

April 15 TBD Africa Protein GBI

May 16 - 30, 2015 Brazil / Argentina, Mercosur Region Harvest Tour, Crop / Consumption

June 15, 2015 TBD Portugal / Angola Trade Partners / Processors

July 15 - 18, 2015 Boston, MA Dry Bean Convention, Fairmont Copley Plaza

August 2/15 TBD Caribbean Dominican Republic / Trinidad

 

 
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