The five East Asian countries of Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, Hong Kong, and Singapore could provide the largest export markets in the world for U.S. agricultural products. With a large population base, rapid income growth, trends toward western tastes, and liberalization of trade barriers, these countries provide ample opportunities for U.S. agricultural exporters. However, because of differences in cultures, customs, and lifestyles, East Asian consumers want products that are suited to their tastes which may differ from products sold in the U.S. To penetrate the East Asian market and to compete successfully, U.S. agricultural exporters must have basic information about these countries so that they can tailor their products to meet the needs of East Asian consumers. This report provides U.S. agricultural exporters and would-be exporters an overview of each country as well as its agricultural policy, agricultural production and consumption, agricultural imports from the U.S. and other countries, tariff and other trade barriers, distribution channels, and export opportunities for U.S. agricultural products.
