TN/AG/GEN/34/Rev.14/Add.1  
TN/AG/SCC/GEN/13/Rev.14/Add.1  
 
17 May 2021  
(21-4100) Page: 1/75 
Committee on Agriculture  
Special Session  
Sub-Committee on Cotton    
 
  
COTTON  
BACKGROUND PAPER BY THE SECRETARIAT1 
Addendum  
This addendum refers to and must be read in conjunction with document  
TN/AG/GEN/34/Rev. 14 - TN/AG/SCC/GEN/13/Rev. 14. It showcases in particular: Members' replies 
to the questionnaire on new or updated cotton -related policy developments  (Annex 4) ; and 
information on cotton markets and policies from the trade policy review mechanism  (Annex 5) . 
 
The main updates captured in this revised version  compared to the previous one2 are as follows:  
 
• In Annex 4,  inclusion of  replies to the Secretariat questionnaire circulated on February 2021 : 
Australia; Brazil;  Colombia;  El Salvador; European Union; Israel; Japan; Macao, 
China; New  Zealand; Russian Federation; South  Africa and Ukraine.  
 
• In Annex 5,  inclusion of relevant  information from the following Members' new TPR reports : 
Indonesia, India, and Viet Nam.  
_______________  
 
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS  
ANNEX 1  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..........................  2 
ANNEX 2  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..........................  5 
ANNEX 3  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..........................  8 
ANNE X 4 ................................ ................................ ................................ ........................  11 
ANNEX 5  ................................ ................................ ................................ ........................  41 
 
 
 
1 This document has been prepared under the Secretariat's own responsibility and is without prejudice 
to the positions of Members or to their rights and obligations under the WTO. It has been prepared for 
information only and is not intended to provide any authoritative or official legal interpretation of the provisions 
of the WTO Agreements in general on in relation to any measure listed in this document.  
2 TN/AG/GEN/34/Rev.13/Add.1  - TN/AG/SCC/GEN/13/Rev.13/Add.1.  TN/AG/GEN/34/Rev.14/Add.1 • TN/AG/SCC/GEN/13/Rev.14/Add.1  
 
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  ANNEX 1  
NOTES ON TARIFF RATE QUOTA COMMITMENTS FROM CHINA'S SCHEDULE  
1. Tariff quotas indicated in the third column are volumes for calendar year 2001. Tariff quota 
concessions will be implemented according to the date specified in the "implementation" 
column. The implemen tation column indicates the date (referring to 1 January of the year 
indicated) when the final quota quantity will be achieved. The tariff quota concessions are 
subject to equal annual adjustments (occurring on 1 January of each year), unless otherwise 
specified in the last column ("Other terms and conditions").  
2. The People's Republic of China (hereinafter referred to as "China")  shall maintain its in -quota 
applied and bound rates (and, upon removal of the tariff -quota, its applied and bound rates) 
for HS 15 14 (rape or colza (canola) oil and its fractions, whether or not refined, but not 
chemically modified) at a level equal to that for HS 1507 (soya -bean oil and its fractions, 
whether or not refined, but not chemically modified) and for HS 1205 (rape or colz a (canola) 
seeds, whether or not broken).  
3. The growth rate for the TRQ volume for canola (rapeseed) oil shall be no less than the growth 
rate for the TRQ volume for soybean oil.  
4. An entity granted a tariff quota allocation (quota -holder) may engage in importation through 
state-trading enterprises and/or through entities possessing the right to trade other than 
state-trading enterprises, including direct importation by the quota holder, as indicated on 
documentation issued with the allocation or realloca tion of the tariff quota quantities.  
5. Application: All applications for an allocation of the tariff -quota will be submitted to the State 
Development and Planning Commission (SDPC). Specific condi tions for applying for a 
tariff-quota allocation will be publi shed in the official journal one month in advance of the 
application period, which will be from 15 October to 30 October.  
6. Allocation:  
a. The entire tariff -quota quantity established in Section I -B shall be allocated to end users 
by 1 January each year. Inquir ies regarding tariff -quota allocations can be made to the 
SDPC, with responses provided within 10 working days. Any additional requirement for 
importation will be automatic under the terms of the Agreement on Import Licensing 
Procedures. China shall equita bly distribute allocations within each portion of the tariff -
quota to ensure complete tariff -quota utilization and to establish a tariff -quota system that 
is open, transparent, fair, responsive to market conditions, timely, minimally burdensome 
to trade an d reflects end user preferences.  
b. In the first year, allocations to end users by the SDPC of the tariff -quota reserved for 
importation through state -trading enterprises shall be based on a first -come, first -served 
system or the requests of the applicants an d their historical import performance, 
production capacity, or other relevant commercial criteria, subject to specific conditions to 
be published one month in advance of the opening of the application period so as to ensure 
an equitable distribution and co mplete tariff -quota utilization. In the first year, no less than 
10% of the tariff -quota reserved for importation through state -trading enterprises will be 
allocated to new quota -holders.  
c. In the first year, allocations to end users by the SDPC of the tarif f-quota reserved for 
importation through entities other than state -trading enterprises shall be based on a first -
come, first -served system or the requests of the applicants and their historical import 
performance, production capacity, or other relevant com mercial criteria. No less than 10% 
of the tariff -quota reserved for importation through entities other than state -trading 
enterprises will be allocated to new quota -holders. This tariff -quota will be limited to TN/AG/GEN/34/Rev.14/Add.1 • TN/AG/SCC/GEN/13/Rev.14/Add.1  
 
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  entities that do not receive any special or e xclusive rights or privileges, and will include 
allocations to joint ventures, wholly foreign -funded enterprises, and private enterprises.  
d. Except in cases where tariff -quota is allocated on a first -come, first -served basis, and in 
accordance with China's S chedule of Concessions and Commitments on Goods, a 
quota -holder that has imported under a tariff -quota shall, upon application, receive an 
allocation of the tariff -quota in the following year for a quantity no less than the quantity 
imported the previous y ear. For all methods of allocation, a quota -holder that does not 
import its full allocation under a tariff -quota will receive a proportional reduction in the 
tariff-quota allocation in the subsequent year unless the quantity is returned to the 
SDPC  prior t o 15 September. A quota holder that has failed to import its full allocation in 
two consecutive years and has returned that unused portion by 15 September shall have 
its quota allocated in the following year on the basis of its fill rate in the most recent  year, 
and will not benefit from any additional reallocations until and unless there are no other 
applications. The means of calculating the penalty will be included in the TRQ regulation in 
force and publicly available, and will be applied in a consistent  and equitable manner.  
e. Allocations will be established for commercially viable shipping quantities and provisions 
will be made for partial shipments against a single tariff -quota allocation. All commercial 
terms of trade, including product specification, p ricing, packaging, etc., will be at the sole 
determination of the importer and the exporter taking into full account the demands of the 
end user. Tariff -quota allocations will be valid for any item or mixture of items subject to 
the same tariff -quota.  
f. Inquiries on the entities which received the allocation can be made to the SDPC which shall 
provide the information within 10 days.  
7. Term: The tariff -quota for each product will be opened on 1 January each year, unless otherwise 
specified in the Schedule. Tarif f-quota allocations will be valid for the calendar year.  
8. Reallocation:  
a. In any year, if a quota -holder has not contracted for the total quantity by 15 September, 
it shall return the unused portion of the tariff -quota quantity to the SDPC for reallocation.  
b. Applications for reallocation of the tariff -quota will be accepted by the SDPC from 
1 September to 15 September and new allocations shall be assigned by 1  October. Specific 
conditions for applying for reallocation of tariff quotas will be published in the o fficial journal 
one month in advance of the application period. Such allocations, which shall be to new 
applicants and to entities other than those returning quotas under sub -paragraph 8 .a. 
above, will be assigned on a first -come, first -served basis. Quota -holders allocated a share 
of the tariff -quota reserved for importation through entities other than state -trading 
enterprises may import through any entity that has a right to trade in any product as 
specified in Section  5 of China's Protocol of Accession.  
c. Inquiries on the entities which received the reallocations can be made to the SDPC which 
will provide the information within 10 days.  
d. In situations where goods have been shipped from their port of origin before 31 December 
of any year, but are e ntered after 31 December of that year, China shall extend the validity 
of the tariff quota documents and shall count such shipments against the tariff quota 
allocation for the year in which the tariff quota was initially allocated.  
9. Consultations:  With a  view to maintaining a transparent and open tariff quota system, upon 
request from any WTO Member, China shall consult with the Member on the administration of 
the tariff quota to ensure that the tariff quota will be allocated in a transparent, equitable a nd 
non-discriminatory manner and that the tariff quota will be fully utilized.  TN/AG/GEN/34/Rev.14/Add.1 • TN/AG/SCC/GEN/13/Rev.14/Add.1  
 
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  Notes:  
1. The share of the tariff -quota reserved for importation through state -trading enterprises is 
specified in column 7 of Section I -B. The remainder of the tariff-quota quantity is reserved for 
importation through any non -state trading enterprise possessing the right to trade in any 
product as set forth in Section 5 of China's Protocol of Accession.  
In any year, if the quantity of the tariff -quota reserved fo r importation through state -trading 
enterprises has not been contracted for by 15 August, quota -holders will have the right to 
trade or to import through any entity with the right to trade any product under Section 5 of 
China's Protocol of Accession.  
2. China  shall ensure that the applied duty for soybean oil, rapeseed oil, palm oil, peanut oil, 
cottonseed oil, sunflower seed oil, and corn oil is no greater than the applied duty for any one 
of these oils or for any other vegetable oil. Of the vegetable oils su bject to tariff quota (i.e., 
soybean oil, rapeseed oil, and palm oil), if the tariff -quota for any one oil is autonomously 
increased, the tariff -quotas for the other two will be increased commensurately. Beginning 
1 January 2006, China will remove soybean oil, rapeseed oil and palm oil from Annex 2A of 
the Protocol of Accession and will grant the right to trade such oils to all individuals and 
enterprises.  
3. All quota holders, that have already fully used or contracted their tariff -quota allocations in 
any ye ar by 15 September shall also be eligible for reallocation of tariff -quota from other 
quota holders that have returned their allocations.  
_______________  
 TN/AG/GEN/34/Rev.14/Add.1 • TN/AG/SCC/GEN/13/Rev.14/Add.1  
 
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  ANNEX 2  
CHAPTER NOTES CONCERNING TRQ COMMITMENTS FOR COTTON FROM THE US SCHEDULE  
"CHAP TER 52  
COTTON  
Additional US Notes 1/  
1. Under regulations prescribed by the Secretary of the Treasury, the staple length of cotton 
shall be determined for all customs purposes by application of the Official Cotton Standards of the 
United States  for length of staple, as established by the Secretary of Agriculture and in effect when 
the determination is to be made.  
5. There shall be permitted entry an aggregate quantity of cotton, entered under the provisions 
of additional US notes 6 through 11, inclusive, to  this chapter, of not less than the total quantity 
specified below.  
 Quantity (metric ton nes) 
1995 41,926.8  
1996 48,850.4  
1997 55,773.9  
1998 62,697.5  
1999 69,621.0  
2000 and thereafter  76,544.6  
 
An additional aggregate quantity of 10,000 metric tonnes is reserved for Mexico under this note.  
The quantitative limitations established by this note may be administered throu gh regulations 
(including licenc es) issued by the Secretary of Agriculture.  
1/ Note 1 and additional US notes 2, 3 and 4 to this c hapter are omitted from this section and are 
in section II of this schedule. Additional US notes 5 through 11, inclusive, to this chapter are not in 
the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States . 
6. There shall be permitted entry an aggregate quantit y of cotton, not carded or combed, having 
a staple length under 28.575 mm (1 -1/8 inches) (except harsh or rough cotton, having a staple 
length under 19.05 mm (3/4 inch)), entered under subh eading 5201.00.14 during the 12 -month 
period beginning September 20  in any year, of not less than the total quantity specified below.  
 Quantity (metric ton nes) 
1995 8,495.05 * 
1996 10,837.45*  
1997 13,179.85*  
1998 15,522.25*  
1999 17,864.65*  
2000 and thereafter  20,207.05*  
* Of the quantitative limitation provided for in this note, access levels are reserved as follows for entry 
under the provisions of this note:  TN/AG/GEN/34/Rev.14/Add.1 • TN/AG/SCC/GEN/13/Rev.14/Add.1  
 
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   Quantity 
(kg)  Quantity 
(kg) 
Egypt & Sudan (aggregate)  355,532  Honduras  341 
Peru 112,469  Paraguay  395 
India & Pakistan (aggregate)  908,764  Colombia  56 
China  621,780  Iraq 88 
Brazil  280,648  British East Africa  1,016  
Union of Soviet Socialist 
Republics  215,512  Indonesia & Netherlands New Guinea 
(aggregate)  32,381  
Argentina  2,360  British West Indies (except Barbados, 
Bermuda, Jamaica, or Trinidad and Tobago)  9,671  
Haiti 107 Nigeria  2,438  
Ecuador  4,233  British West Africa (except Nigeria and Ghana)  7,259  
The quantitative limitations established by this note may be administered through regulations 
(including licen ces and reallocation of unfilled quotas) issued by the Secretary of Agriculture.  
7. There shall be permitted entry an aggregate quantity of harsh or rough cotton, not carded or 
combed, having a staple length of 29.36875 mm (1 -5/32 inches) or more but under 34.925 mm 
(1-3/8 inches) and white in colo ur (except cotton of perished staple, grabbots and cotton pickings), 
entered under subheading 5201.00.24 during the 12 -month period beginning 1 August in any year, 
of not less than the total quantity specified below.  
 Quantity (metric ton nes) 
1995 900.0  
1996 1,000.0  
1997 1,100.0  
1998 1,200.0  
1999 1,300.0  
2000 and thereafter  1,400.0  
The quantitative limitations established by this note may be administered throu gh regulations 
(including licenc es) issued by the Secretary of Agriculture.  
8. There shall be permitted entry an aggregate quantity of cotton, not carded or combed, having 
a staple length of 28.575 mm (1 -1/8 inches) or more but under 34.925 mm (1 -3/8 inches) (except 
harsh or rough cotton, not carded or co mbed, having a staple length of 29.36875 mm (1 -5/32 
inches) or more and white in colour ) but including cotton of perished staple, grabbots and cotton 
pickings, entered under subheading 5201.00.34 during the 12 -month period beginning 1 August in 
any year, o f not less than the total quantity specified below.  
 Quantity (metric ton nes) 
1995 5,200.0  
1996 6,460.0  
1997 7,720.0  
1998 8,980.0  
1999 10,240.0  
2000 and thereafter  11,500.0  
The quantitative limitations established by this note may be administered through regulations 
(including licen ces) issued by the Secretary of Agriculture.  
9. There shall be permitted entry an aggregate quantity of cotton, not carded or combed, having 
a staple length of 34.925 mm (1 -3/8 inches) or more, entered under  subheading 5201.00.60 during 
the 12 -month period beginning August 1 in any year, of not less than the total quantity specified 
below.  
 Quantity (metric ton nes) 
1995 25,500.0  
1996 28,420.0  
1997 31,340.0  
1998 34,260.0  
1999 37,180.0  
2000 and thereafter  40,100.0  TN/AG/GEN/34/Rev.14/Add.1 • TN/AG/SCC/GEN/13/Rev.14/Add.1  
 
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  The quantitative limitations established by this note may be administered through regulations 
(including licen ces) issued by the Secretary of Agriculture.  
10. There shall be permitted entry an aggregate quantity of card strips made fro m cotton having 
a staple length under 30.1625 mm (1 -3/16 inches), and lap waste, sliver waste and roving waste of 
cotton, all the foregoing the product of any country or are including the United States , entered under 
subheading 5202.99.10 during the 12 -month period beginning 20 September in any year, of not 
less than the total quantity specified below.  
 Quantity (kg)  
1995 1,835,427*  
1996 2,135,427*  
1997 2,435,427*  
1998 2,735,427*  
1999 3,035,427*  
2000 and thereafter  3,335,427*  
* Of the quantitative limitation provided for in this note, access levels are reserved as follows for entry 
under the provisions of this note:  
 Quantity (kg)   Quantity (kg)  
United Kingdom  653,695  Japan  154,917  
Canada  108,721  China  7,857  
France  34,385  Egypt  3,689  
India & Pakistan (aggregate)  31,582  Cuba 2,968  
Netherlands  10,317  Germany  11,540  
Switzerland  6,711  Italy 3,215  
Belgium  5,830    
The quantitative limitations established by this note may be administered throu gh regulations 
(including licenc es and reallocation of unfilled quotas) issued by the Secretary of Agriculture.  
11. There shall be permitted entr y an aggregate quantity of fib res of cotton processed but not 
spun, entered under subheading 5203.00.10 during the 12 -month period beginning 11 September 
in any year, of not less than the total quantity specified below.  
 Quantity (kg)  
1995 1,000  
1996 1,300  
1997 1,600  
1998 1,900  
1999 2,200  
2000 and thereafter  2,500  
The quantitative limitations established by this note may be administered throu gh regulations 
(including licenc es) issued by the Secretary of Agriculture. " 
_______________  TN/AG/GEN/34/Rev.14/Add.1 • TN/AG/SCC/GEN/13/Rev.14/Add.1  
 
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  ANNEX 3  
EXCERPT FROM  ANNEX 1 TO G/AG/N/USA/2/ADD.3 AND G/AG/N/USA/34/ADD.1  
NOTES FROM THE HARMONIZED TARIFF SYSTEM OF THE UNITED STATES  
"36/ Short staple cotton  
 from Additional US Note 5 to Chapter 52 of the HTSUS:  
5. The aggregate quantity of cotton, not carded or combed, the product of any country or area 
including the United States , having a staple length under 28.575 mm (1 -1/8 inches) (except harsh 
or rough cotton, having a staple length under 19.05 mm (3/4 inch)), entered under subheading 
5201.00.14 during the 12 -month periods from 20 September 1999, through 19 September 200 0, 
inclusive, shall not exceed 17,864.65 metric ton nes or from 20 September  2000, through 
19 September 2001, inclusive, shall not exceed 20,207.05 metric to nnes (articles the product of 
Mexico shall not be permitted or included in the aforementioned quantitative limitation and no such 
articles shall be classifiable therein).  
Of the quantitative limitations provided for in this note, the countries listed below shall have access 
to not less than the quantities specified below:  
 Quantity ( kg) 
Argentina  2,360  
Brazil  280,648  
British East Africa  1,016  
British West Africa (except Nigeria and Ghana)  7,259  
British West Indies (except Barbados, Bermuda, Jamaica, Trinidad, Tobago)  9,671  
China 621,780  
Colombia  56 
Ecuador  4,233  
Egypt & Sudan (aggregate)  355,532  
Haiti 107 
Honduras  341 
India & Pakistan (aggregate)  908,764  
Indonesia & Netherlands New Guinea (aggregate)  32,381  
Iraq 88 
Nigeria  2,438  
Paraguay  395 
Peru 112,469  
Armenia ; Azerbaijan ; Belarus ; Estonia ; Georgia ; Kazakhstan ; Kyrgyzstan ; Latvia ; 
Lithuania ; Moldova,  Republic of; Russia n Federation;  Tajikistan ; Turkmenistan ; Ukraine 
and Uzbekistan (aggregate)  215,512  
Other than as provided for in the country allocations above, articles the product of countries or ar eas 
who are not members of the World Trade Organization shall not be permitted or included in the 
quantitative limitations set forth in this note.  
37/ Harsh or rough cotton  
 from Additional U S Note 6 to Chapter 52 of the HTSUS:  
6. The aggregate quantity of  harsh or rough cotton, not carded or combed, the product of any 
country or area including the United States , having a staple length of 29.36875 mm (1 -5/32 inches) 
or more but under 34.925 mm (1 -3/8 inches) and white in colour  (except cotton of perished st aple, 
grabbots and cotton pickings), entered under subheading 5201.00.24 during the 12 -month periods 
from 1 August 1999, through 31 July 2000, inclusive,  shall not exceed 1,300.0  metric ton nes or 
from 1 August 2000, through 31 July 2001, incl usive, shall not exceed 1,400.0  metric ton nes 
(articles the product of Mexico shall not be permitted or included in the aforementioned quantitative 
limitation and no such articles shall be classifiable therein).  
Articles the product of countries or areas who are not members of the World Trade Organization 
shall not be permitted or included in the quantitative limitations set forth in this note.  TN/AG/GEN/34/Rev.14/Add.1 • TN/AG/SCC/GEN/13/Rev.14/Add.1  
 
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  38/ Medium staple cotton  
 from Additional U S Note 7 to Chapter 52 of the HTSUS:  
7. The aggregate quantity of cotton, not carded or combed, the product of any country or area 
including the United States , having a staple length of 28.575 mm (1 -1/8 inches) or more but under 
34.925 mm (1 -3/8 inches) (except harsh or rough cotton, not carded or combed, having a staple 
length of 29.36875 mm (1 -5/32 inches) or more and white in colo ur) but including cotton of perished 
staple, grabbots and cotton pickings, entered under subheading 5201.00.34 during the 12 -month 
periods from 1 August 1999, through  31 July 2000, inclu sive, shall not exceed 10,240.0  metric 
tonnes or from 1 August 2000, through 31 July 2001, inclusive, shall not exceed 11,500.0  metric 
tonnes (articles the product of Mexico shall not be permitted or included in the aforementioned 
quant itative limitation and no such articles shall be classifiable therein).  
Articles the product of countries or areas who are not members of the World Trade Organization 
shall not be permitted or included in the quantitative limitations set forth in this note . 
39/ Long staple cotton  
 from Additional US Note 8 to Chapter 52:  
8. The aggregate quantity of cotton, not carded or combed, the product of any country or area 
including the United States , having a staple length of 34.925 mm (1 -3/8 inches) or more, entere d 
under subheading 5201.00.60 during the 12 -month periods from 1 August 1999, through 
31 July 2000, inclusive, shall not exceed 37,180.0 metric ton nes or from 1 August 2000, through 
31 July 2001, inclusive, shall not exceed 40,100.0 metric ton nes (articles  the product of Mexico shall 
not be permitted or included in the aforementioned quantitative limitation and no such articles shall 
be classifiable therein).  
Articles the product of countries or areas who are not members of the World Trade Organization 
shall not be permitted or included in the quantitative limitations set forth in this note.  
40/ Cotton waste  
 from Additional US Note 9 to Chapter 52 of the HTSUS:  
9. The aggregate quantity of card strips made from cotton having a staple length under 
30.1625  mm (1-3/16 inches), and lap waste, sliver waste and roving waste of cotton, all the 
foregoing the product of any country or area including the United States , entered under subheading 
5202.99.10 during the 12 -month periods from 20 September 1999, through 19 September 2000, 
inclusive, shall not exceed 3,035,427 kilograms or from 20 September  2000, through 19 September 
2001, inclusive, shall not exceed 3,335,427 kilograms (articles the product of Mexico shall not be 
permitted or included in the aforementioned qu antitative limitation and no such articles shall be 
classifiable therein).  
Of the quantitative limitations provided for in this note, the countries listed below shall have access 
to not less than the quantities specified below:  
 Quantity (kg)  
Belgium  5,830  
Canada  108,721  
China  7,857  
Cuba 2,968  
Egypt  3,689  
France  34,385  
Germany  11,540  
Italy 3,215  
India & Pakistan (aggregate)  31,582  
Japan  154,917  
Netherlands  10,317  
Switzerland  6,711  
United Kingdom  653,695  
Other than as provided for in the country allocations above, articles the product of countries or areas 
who are not members of the World Trade Organization shall not be permitted or included in the 
quantitative limitations set forth in this note.  TN/AG/GEN/34/Rev.14/Add.1 • TN/AG/SCC/GEN/13/Rev.14/Add.1  
 
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  41/ Cotton processed bu t not spun  
 from Additional US Note 10 to Chapter 52 of the HTSUS:  
10. The aggregate quantity of fibres  of cotton processed but not spun, entered under subheading 
5203.00.10 during the 12 -month periods from 11 September 1999, through 10 September 2000, 
inclusive, shall not exceed 2,200 kilograms or from 11 September 2000, through 
10 September  2001, inclusive, shall not exceed 2,500 kilograms (articles the product of Mexico shall 
not be permitted or included in the aforementioned quantitative limitation and no such articles shall 
be classifiable therein).  
Articles the product of countries or areas who are not members of the World Trade Organization 
shall not be permitted or included in the quantitative limitations set forth in this note. " 
_____ __________  
 
 TN/AG/GEN/34/Rev.14/Add.1 • TN/AG/SCC/GEN/13/Rev.14/Add.1  
 
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  ANNEX 4  
MEMBERS' REPLIES TO THE QUESTIONNAIRE  ON NEW OR UPDATED  
COTTON -RELATED POLICY DEVELOPMENTS  
1. Since the second dedicated discussion of the relevant trade -related developments for cotton 
of 28 November 2014, Members agreed that, in order to complement the revised background paper 
to be prepared by the WTO Secretariat  and in advance of each dedicated discussion , a questionnaire 
would be sent to Members to seek updates, on a voluntary basis, on their recent cotton -related 
policy developments  across the three pillars of Market Access, Domestic Support and Export 
Competition .1 Members were also invited to provide an assessment of the impact (or anticipated 
impact), if available, of those new or updated policy developments .  
2. Thirteen  questionnaires were circulated on 4  February and 17 September 2015, 22  February2 
and 13 September 2016 , 28 March and 10 October 2017 , 24 January and 14 September 2018 , 
11 February and 10 September 2019 , 22 January , 21 September  2020 and 1 February 2021 , 
respectively. The following table lists Members who have replied  to th ose questionnaires. The 
replying Members  who are among the 3 3 Members identified in paragraph s 12 and 13  of this paper  
as markets of interest to LDCs  are identified in bold : 
Members who replied to the previous questionnaire s 
circulated on 4 February 2015 , 17 September 2015 , 
22 February  2016 , 13 September 2016 , 28 March 2017 , 
10 October 2017 , 24 January  2018 , 11 February 2019 , 
10 September 2019  , 22 January 2020  and 21  September  2020  Members who replied to the 
questionnaire circulated on  
1 February 2021   
Argentina;  Australia ; Benin;  Brazil ; Burkina Faso; Burundi; Chad;  
China ; Colombia ; Costa Rica; Egypt ; Ecuador; European Union ; 
Hong Kong, China ; Japan ; Israel;  Macao, China; Mali;  Mauritius ; 
Montenegro; Morocco ; New Zealand ; Pakistan ; Peru; Russian 
Federation ; South Africa ; Switzerland; Chinese Taip ei; Turkey ; 
Ukraine; United  States  and Uruguay  Australia; Brazil ; Colombia; El 
Salvador ; European Union ; 
Israel; Japan; Macao, China; 
New Zealand ; Russian 
Federation; South  Africa  and 
Ukraine   
3. Some  Members p rovided a "n il" reply, i.e. they did not report any new  or update d policy 
development  across the three pillars of Market Access, Domestic  Support and Export Competition . 
These Members are listed in the  table below.   
Members with a nil reply to the previous questionnaire s 
circulated on 4 February 2015 , 17 September , 22 February 2016 , 
13 September 2016 , 28 March  2017 , 10 October 2017 , 
24 January 2018 , 14 September  2018 , 11 February 2019 , 
10 September 2019 , 22 January 2020  and 21  September  2020  Members with a nil reply to 
the questionnaire  
circulated on 1 February 2021  
Australia; Brazil; Ecuador;  European Union; Costa Rica; Hong  Kong, 
China; Japan; Maca o, China; Mauritius; Montenegro; New  Zealand; 
Pakistan; Peru; Chinese Taipei, Russian  Federation;  South Africa;  
Switzerland; Uganda; Uruguay  and the United States  Australia; Brazil; El Salvador ; 
Japan; Macao, China; and 
New Zealand  
4. Non-nil replies are reproduced below . In cases where a Member has replied to more than one 
questionnaire, only the response to the latest questionnaire is listed. Responses to earlier 
questionnaires can be found in previous versions of the Secretariat's background paper.  
  
 
1 Paragraph 12 of the Chairperson report o n the second dedicated discussion of the relevant 
trade -related developments for cotton (TN/AG/29 - TN/AG/SCC/3).  
2 The French and Spanish versions of the questionnaire were circulated on 8 March 2016.  TN/AG/GEN/34/Rev.14/Add.1 • TN/AG/SCC/GEN/13/Rev.14/Add.1  
 
- 12 - 
 
  Reply from Colombia  to the questionnaire circulated on 1 February 2021  
The WTO questionnaire requests information on any new or updated cotton -related policy 
developments.  
MARKET ACCESS  
Colombia did not apply any such measures during the years 2019 and 2020.  
 
DOMESTIC SUPPOR T 2019  
Cotton marketing support. Pursuant to Resolution No.  300 of 16  September  2019, the Colombian 
Government established support for cotton fibre marketing to producers of the 2019 interior harvest 
in the departments of Tolima, Huila, Cundinamarca and Va lle del Cauca.  
 
The support was based on the international price (ICE -NY contract) in US cents per pound, multiplied 
by the exchange rate and the conversion factor of 22.046 from US cents per pound to US dollars 
per tonne. In August  2019, the price closed at USD 4,422,709, compared with USD 5,609,221 for 
the same month of the previous year, resulting in a decrease of 21%. Consequently, the projected 
net income for cotton farmers in the interior of the country does not cover the production costs.  
 
For 2020, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development did not allocate any budget for the 
provision of such support.  
 
DOMESTIC SUPPORT 2020  
Support for cotton planting with resources from the Emergency Mitigation Fund (FOME). 
Pursuant to Resolution No.  223 of 15 September  2020, the cotton growers' union (Conalgodón) 
helped to develop the Cotton Support Programme 2020, addressing cotton planting by small and 
medium -sized producers in the Costa Llanos area of the departments of Córdoba, Cesar, Sucre, 
Bolívar, Mag dalena, Antioquia, Vichada and Guajira, in order to mitigate the adverse effects of 
COVID -19, allocating USD 2,152,500,000.  
 
Support for marketing using FOME resources. Pursuant to Resolution No.  224 of 
15 September  2020, the cotton growers' union ( Conalgodón) helped to develop support for the 
marketing of cotton fibre by small and medium -sized producers in the departments of Tolima, Huila, 
Cundinamarca and Valle del Cauca, in order to mitigate the adverse effects of COVID -19, allocating 
USD 799,500, 000. 
EXPORT COMPETITION  
Colombia did not apply any export competition measures during the years 2019 and 2020.  
 
  TN/AG/GEN/34/Rev.14/Add.1 • TN/AG/SCC/GEN/13/Rev.14/Add.1  
 
- 13 - 
 
  Reply from the European Union3 to the questionnaire circulated on 1 February 2021  
In reply to the questionnaire of the WTO Secretariat dated 1 February 2021 on new or updated 
cotton related policy developments in advance of the 15th Dedicated Discussion on Cotton, the 
European Union provides below the update of the data on direct payment expenditures for cotton, 
granted in acc ordance with Article 6.5 of the Agreement on Agriculture. No other cotton -related 
policy developments occurred in the EU during the reporting period.  
Description of 
Measure  2011/  
2012  2012/  
2013  2013/  
2014  2014/  
2015  2015/  
2016  2016/  
2017  2017/  
2018  2018/  
2019  2019/  
2020  
Payments based on 
fixed area and yields: 
Cotton (Title  IV, 
Chapter 1, Section 6 
of Regulation (EC) 
No. 73/2009; from 
2015, Title IV, 
Chapter  2 of 
Regulation (EU) 
No. 1307/2013)  245.8  242.3  231.8  244.0  243.9  233.8  243.75  244.9  248.5  
  
 
3 The United Kingdom withdrew from the European Union as of 1 February 2020. During the transition 
period, which end ed on 31 December 2020, Union law, with a few limited exceptions, continue d to be 
applicable to and in the United Kingdom.  TN/AG/GEN/34/Rev.14/Add.1 • TN/AG/SCC/GEN/13/Rev.14/Add.1  
 
- 14 - 
 
  Reply from Israel to the questionnaire circulated on 1 February 2021  
Market Access  
 
No changes in tariffs related to cotton were made during 2020.  
 
Domestic Support  
 
Israel's budgetary outlay for cotton in both thousand  USD and thousand tonnes  for 2020 was zero.  
Market price support, non -exempt direct payments, other product -specific support, product -specific 
EMS and product -specific AMS for cotton during 2020 were also zero.  
 
Export Competition  
 
Export subsidies for cotton were zero in 2020.  
 
 
  TN/AG/GEN/34/Rev.14/Add.1 • TN/AG/SCC/GEN/13/Rev.14/Add.1  
 
- 15 - 
 
  Reply from the Russian Federation to the questionnaire circulated on 1 February 2021  
Market Access  
 
Russia 's exports and imports of cotton, not carded or combed (thousand US dollars) . 
  2020  
Export   
Armenia  10.6 
Belarus  843.3  
European Union  531.0  
Turkey  2.3 
Ukraine  89.4 
Total  1,476 .6 
Import   
Kazakhstan  7,525.9  
Kyrgyz Republic  8,549.7  
Tajikistan  18,607.9  
Turkey  122.6  
Uzbekistan  1,111.8  
Total  35,917.9  
 
Domestic Support  
 
Information to be provided upon the relevant DS:1 notification.  
 
Export Competition  
 
No specific measures for cotton are applied in the context of export competition .   
  TN/AG/GEN/34/Rev.14/Add.1 • TN/AG/SCC/GEN/13/Rev.14/Add.1  
 
- 16 - Reply from South Africa to the questionnaire circulated on 1 February 2021  
General  
The area under cotton in South Africa declined from a record of 182 000 ha in the late 1980s to a low of just 5 000 ha in the 2009/10 season. Since 
then, the area under cotton has increased to approximately 37 000 ha in the 2017/18 season. Various reasons are mentioned for  this decline in the 
area dedicated for cotton production , amongst them, is the dramatic rise in trade distorting support for cotton producers, mainly in developed countries.  
Cotton is of special importance to smallholder producers in South Africa, many of which are women.  
South Africa is a net exporter of cotto n and developments on the world market have a direct impact on South African producers of cotton.  
COVID -19 
Cotton did not escape the C OVID -19 pandemic with exports being severely affected  by the closure of borders and harbours. Local consumption also 
declined as a result of the country wide lockdown. No government support was made available to cotton producers as a result of th e pandemic.  
Market Access  
The major change in the market access environment for South Africa during 2021 will be the implementatio n of the African Continental Free Trade 
Agreement (AfCFTA). This agreement will be implemented in phases starting from 2021. For cotton, this will result in the tari ff being phased down to 
zero over a period of five years for some member states/Customs Uni ons and 10 years for others. See the table below for the applicable tariffs on 
cotton.  
Currently, the import duty for cotton is already at zero for cotton originating in the member states that are party to  the SADC FTA  and the EU. It is at 
this stage diffi cult to estimate whether the AfCFTA will result in a substantial increase in cotton imports from African origin. Currently, a  large portion 
of South African cotton imports originates from LDCs and developing countries in the Southern African region.  
The table below reflects the current applied import duty for cotton in South Africa.  
HS Code  Description  Statistical 
Unit General  EU EFTA  SADC  MERCOSUR  AfCFTA  
5201.00  Cotton, not carded or combed         
52010010  Not ginned  kg 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 
52010020  Ginned but not further processed  kg 160c/kg  0% 160c/kg  0% 160c/kg  128c/kg  
52010090  Other  kg 15% 0% 15% 0% 15% 12% 
5202 Cotton waste (including yarn waste and 
garnetted stock)         
52021000  Yarn waste (including thread waste)  kg 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 
52029100  Garnetted stock  kg 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 
52029900  Other  kg 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 
52030000  Cotton, carded or combed  kg 15% 0% 15% 0% 15% 12% 
 
 Source: Abstract of Agricultural Statistics, 2019.   
  TN/AG/GEN/34/Rev.14/Add.1 • TN/AG/SCC/GEN/13/Rev.14/Add.1  
 
- 17 - A table depicting South African trade in cotton is below.  
 
Exports  
South Africa Export Statistics  
Product  South Africa Rand  
2015  2016  2017  2018  2019  
52010010 - Not ginned  75,037 904,031 1,124,261 67,757 131,555,181 
52010020 - Ginned but not further processed  44,112,444 105,051,166 83,219,511 363,185,846 125,135,738 
52010090 - Other  13,655,616 13,006,808 37,116,511 2,240,187 91,222,910 
5202 - Cotton waste ( including yarn waste and garnetted stock) 3,043,160 2,320,195 3,003,970 754,859 1,185,837 
5203 - Cotton, carded or combed  8,023,156 4,402,206 17,000,899 43,518,984 40,534,261 
Total  68,909,413 125,684,406 141,465,152 409,767,633 389,633,927 
 
Product  Quantity: Ton  
2015  2016  2017  2018  2019  
52010010 - Not ginned  1 77 58  
6,594 
52010020 - Ginned but not further processed  2,514 5,216 3,838 6,371 6,072 
52010090 - Other  673 569 1,541 65 3,558 
5202 - Cotton waste ( including yarn waste and garnetted stock) 212 218 245 86 76 
5203 - Cotton, carded or combed  226 118 540 1,152 977 
Source:   South African Revenue Service , © 2021 IHS Markit , created on Tuesday 2 February 2021, 7:00 AM EST (12:00 GMT) . 
 
Imports  
South Africa Import Statistics  
Product  South Africa Rand  
2015  2016  2017  2018  2019  
52010010 - Not ginned  542,984 1,400,392 5,862,290 11,723,995 184,295 
52010020 - Ginned but not further processed  319,199,545 308,967,656 355,769,880 329,588,004 312,614,895 
52010090 - Other  39,097,682 31,140,028 116,353,557 15,628,813 18,680,060 
5202 - Cotton waste ( including yarn waste and garnetted stock) 20,130,245 39,178,752 22,841,932 14,576,783 10,466,619 
5203 - Cotton, carded or combed  30,867,959 27,032,957 30,962,830 5,658,473 42,203,362 
Total  409,838,415 407,719,785 531,790,489 377,176,068 384,149,231 
 
   
  TN/AG/GEN/34/Rev.14/Add.1 • TN/AG/SCC/GEN/13/Rev.14/Add.1  
 
- 18 - Product  Quantity: Ton  
2015  2016  2017  2018  2019  
52010010 - Not ginned; not ginned  32 50 163 517 22 
52010020 - Ginned but not further processed  17,431 14,065 14,755 12,955 13,195 
52010090 - Other; Other  2,343 1,562 5,336 610 683 
5202 - Cotton waste ( including yarn waste and garnetted stock) 1,230 2,238 1,448 842 761 
5203 - Cotton, carded or combed  752 634 797 259 961 
Source:  South African Revenue Service , © 2021 IHS Markit , created on Tuesday 2 February 2021, 7:00 AM EST (12:00 GMT) . 
 
Domestic Support  
 
There has been no change in the policy environment in relation to domestic support. South African cotton producers do not ben efit from any trade 
distorting domestic support, including AMS, de minimis  and Blue Box support.  
 
Export Competition  
 
There has be en no change in the policy environment in relation to export subsidies. South African cotton producers do not benefit from ex port subsidies 
of any kind.  
 TN/AG/GEN/34/Rev.14/Add.1 • TN/AG/SCC/GEN/13/Rev.14/Add.1  
 
- 19 - 
 
  Reply from Ukraine to the questionnaire circulated on 1 February 2021  
With regard to the Nairobi Ministerial Decision on Cotton (document WT/MIN(15)/46, WT/L/981 as 
of 21 December 2015)  Ukraine would like to provide the following.  
 
Information on Cotton  
(October 2020 – March 2021) 
 
1.  Market  access  
 
In October 2020-March 2021, there were  no changes in cotton policy in terms of market access.  
 
UKTZED  
(Ukrainian Foreign 
Economic Activity 
Commodity Classification, 
based on Harmonized 
System 201 7) Description  October  2020  – March 2021  
Bound import 
duty rate within 
the MFN  Applied import 
duty rate 
within the 
MFN 
5201 00  Cotton, not carded or combed    
5201 00 10 00  - Rendered absorbent or bleached  0 0 
5201 00 90 00  - Other  0 0 
5202 Cotton waste (including yarn waste 
and garnetted stocks)    
5202 10 00 00  - Yarn waste (including thread waste)  1 1 
 - Other    
5202 91 00 00  -- Garnetted stock  0 0 
5202 99 00 00  -- Other  1 1 
5203 00 00 00  Cotton, carded or combed  5 5 
 
2.  Domestic support  
 
In October 2020-March 2021, no state  support for cotton was provided.  
 
3.  Export  competition  
 
According  to Ukraine 's WTO obligations , no export  subsidies  for agricultural  products , including  
cotton , were provided .  
 
In respect to cotton no Export Credit, Export Credit Guarantees or Insurance Programs (Export 
financing) and Food aid were granted, as well as no  Agriculture Exp orting State Trading Enterprises 
were functioning or established.  
 TN/AG/GEN/34/Rev.14/Add.1 • TN/AG/SCC/GEN/13/Rev.14/Add.1  
 
- 20 - 
 
  Reply from Burundi to the questionnaire circulated on 21 September 2020  
The Permanent Mission of the Republic of Burundi to the United Nations Office and other international 
organizations in Geneva presents its compliments to the World Trade Organization  (WTO) and, with 
reference to the 14th dedicated discussion on cotton and the WTO  Secretariat's request that Members 
submit information on any new or updated cotton -related policy developments, has the honour to 
inform the Secretariat of the following:  
 
The cotton sector has experienced difficulties in recent years, with seed co tton production falling 
from 8,900 tonnes to less than 1,000 tonnes today.  
 
Burundi's revival and development policy for the cotton, textile and clothing sector provides the 
country with a national strategy for the period 2019 -2027. The strategy seeks to r evitalize the sector 
by increasing cotton production with a view to ensuring supply for domestic agro -textile industries. 
Increased production will also enable Burundi to export surplus lint to regional and international 
markets.  
 
The State of Burundi is a lso mobilizing all cotton, textile and clothing industry actors and partners 
operating in Burundi, so as to ensure that they adhere to the strategy and work together.  
 
In order to leverage funding and develop the sector, Burundi has introduced a proactive investment 
facilitation policy for national and foreign investors, which is implemented through the 
Investment  Promotion Agency  (API). The country has also established other regulatory frameworks, 
most notably legislation on public -private partnerships (PP P). 
 
Within this framework, a memorandum of understanding on cotton production revitalization was 
signed by the State of Burundi and the domestic textile firm AFRITEXTILE.  
 
Regarding market access, the amount of cotton produced falls well below the level r equired to meet 
the demand of the domestic textile industry, which means there are no exports.  
 
The Permanent Mission of the Republic of Burundi to the United Nations Office and other international 
organizations in Geneva avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the World Trade Organization 
the assurances of its highest consideration.  
 
 
  TN/AG/GEN/34/Rev.14/Add.1 • TN/AG/SCC/GEN/13/Rev.14/Add.1  
 
- 21 - 
 
  Reply from Turkey to the questionnaire circulated on 21 September 2020  
The major input of Turkey's textile and clothing sector is cotton. Textile and clothing sector consumes 
about 1 .5 million tonnes of cotton and there was 882 thousand tonnes at  2017/2018  season, 
997 thousand tonnes at 2018/2019 season cotton has been produc ed in Turkey. The domestic 
production and import ratio was 59 .5% at 2017/2018 and 69 .7% at 2018/20019 season.  
 
According ICAC, Turkey was ranged at 6th in terms of production, 5th in terms of consumption and  
4th in terms of imports among the world. Accordi ng to the estimates of Ministry of Agriculture and 
Forestry, 2019/20 season cotton production will be around 814 thousand tonnes.  
 
Turkey has imported at 2018 -2019 season about 1 .35 billion dollars and 761 thousand tonnes of 
cotton.  
 
The import tax for cotton is 0% and VAT is 8%. There is 3% anti damping duty for US origin cotton 
of CIF value.  
 
COTTON DATA  
 
Import Tax:  0% 
VAT: 8% 
WTO Rate:  6% 
Support:  0,064 USD/Kg at 2018/2019 season (For whom use certified crops)  
Fuel-Fertiliser Support:  7.75 USD/Da Fue l Support + 0 .5 USD/Da (Fertiliser Support) 
= 8.25 USD Total for 2018 -2019 Season  
 
Production  
1,000 Tonnes  
Season  
(1 August  - 31 July)  Turkey  World  
(ICAC)  TÜİK1 ICAC2 
2012/2013  858 858 27,079  
2013/2014  877 878 26,225  
2014/2015  846 720 26,234  
2015/2016  738 640 21,476  
2016/2017  756 703 23,075  
2017/2018  882 792 26,678  
2018/2019  977 977 25,750  
2019/2020*  814 800 26,025  
* Turkish Institute of Statistics, For ecast. 
 
Consumption  
1,000 Tonnes  
Season  
(1 August  - 31 July)  Turkey  World  
(ICAC)  MAF3 ICAC2 
2012/2013  1,785  1,350  23,448  
2013/2014  1,637  1,400  24,101  
2014/2015  1,501  1,486  24,587  
2015/2016  1,500  1,500  24,139  
2016/2017  1,450  1,455  24,516  
2017/2018  1,481  1,481  26,351  
2018/2019  1,400  1,555  26,344  
2019/2020 * - 1,477  22,870  
* Forecast.  
1 Turkish Institute of Statistics.  
2 International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC).  
3 Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.  
 
  TN/AG/GEN/34/Rev.14/Add.1 • TN/AG/SCC/GEN/13/Rev.14/Add.1  
 
- 22 - 
 
  Foreign Trade  
 
(GTİP No: 5201) (Sezon)  
Cotton Foreign Trade  
Season  Export  Import  
Value  
(tonne)  Value USD  
(USD  1,000)  Value  
(tonne)  Value USD  
(USD 1,000)  
2005/06  47,030  66,447  762,315  960,891  
2006/07  66,002  92,034  877,261  1,137,935  
2007/08  80,647  141,864  711,414  1,099,841  
2008/09  29,678  53,888  635,632  872,934  
2009/10  32,557  60,568  956,682  1,565,191  
2010/11  31,825  102,656  729,428  2,044,108  
2011/12  65,237  143,793  518,610  1,274,291  
2012/13  47,384  97,703  803,760  1,513,800  
2013/14  44,332  92,185  924,373  1,843,536  
2014/15  52,279  84,481  800,068  1,306,133  
2015/16  50,327  81,283  918,307  1,369,259  
2016/17  72,816  130,732  801,007  1,408,137  
2017/18  70,723  139,127  876,211  1,620,713  
2018/19  104,871  183,991  761,891  1,351,087  
Cotton Season:  20XX 01 August  - 20XX + 31 July.  
Source:  Turkish Institute of Statistics.  
 
MARKET ACCESS  
 
In Turkey's Harmonized System, there are two products with 12 digits code under in heading  52.01 
(cotton, not carded or combed) as followings:  
• 5201.00.10.00.00 - Rendered absorbent or bleached;  
• 5201.00.90.00.00 – Others.  
Turkey applies 0 % customs duty to all countries for these goods.  
 
Notwithstanding, as of 17  April 2016, Turkey has started to implement a rate of 3% (CIF) 
anti-dumping duty, if the goods are, which listed above, with the US origin.  
 
  TN/AG/GEN/34/Rev.14/Add.1 • TN/AG/SCC/GEN/13/Rev.14/Add.1  
 
- 23 - 
 
  Reply from the United States to the questionnaire circulated on 21 September 2020  
Market Access : There are no new or updated cotton -related policy developments.  
Domestic Support : There are no new or updated cotton -specific programs to report, but other 
programs not specific to cotton were in troduced for multiple commodities. We do not anticipate any 
market impact from the changes covered below.  
2019 Market Facilitation Program (MFP )  
The 2019 Market Facilitation Program (MFP) provided assistance to farmers and ranchers with 
commodities direc tly impacted by unjustified foreign retaliatory tariffs, resulting in the loss of 
traditional export markets. The 2019 MFP provided financial assistance to producers of dairy, hogs, 
specialty crops, and non -specialty crops.4 MFP non -specialty crop payment s were based on a single -
county payment rate multiplied by the lower of a farm 's total 2018 or 2019 plantings of eligible non -
specialty crops. MFP non -specialty crop payments were not dependent on which non -specialty crops 
were planted. Enrolment  for this program ended on 20 December 2019. For more information, see 
https://www.farmers.gov/manage/mfp . 
Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP ) 
Pursuant to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, the Families First 
Coronavirus Response Act, as well as existing USDA authorities, the Coronavirus Food Assistance 
Program (CFAP) was developed to provide financial assistance to p roducers of a broad range of 
agricultural commodities that are experiencing market disruptions and associated costs due to the 
COVID -19 pandemic. The application period for the first round of funding under this program ended 
on 11 September for most produc ers, although certain producers in Louisiana, Oregon, and Texas 
who were impacted by natural disasters received an extension to 9 October. The application period 
for the second round of funding under this program opened on 21 September and will end on 
11 December 2020. For more information about this program, see https://www.farmers.gov/cfap . 
Export Competition : There are no new or updated cotton -related policy developments.  
 
4 Non-specialty crops for the 2019 MFP are defined as: alfalfa hay, barley, canola, corn, crambe, dried 
beans, dry peas, extra -long staple cotton, flaxseed, lentils, long grain and medium grain rice, millet, mustard 
seed, oats, peanuts, rapeseed, rye, saffl ower, sesame seed, small and large chickpeas, sorghum, soybeans, 
sunflower seed, temperate japonica rice, triticale, upland cotton, and wheat.  TN/AG/GEN/34/Rev.14/Add.1 • TN/AG/SCC/GEN/13/Rev.14/Add.1  
 
- 24 - 
 
  Reply from Brazil to the questionnaire  circulated on 22 January 2020  
There has  not been any change in Brazilian policies for cotton.  
Market Access : 
Of the three tariff lines (5201.00.10, 5201.00.20, and 5201.00.90) in heading 5201 (cotton, not 
carded or combed), all maintained an applied duty rate of 6%.  
Domestic Support : 
There has been no domestic support provided to Brazilian cotton producers.  
Export Competition : 
No export subsidies have been granted to cotton.  
 TN/AG/GEN/34/Rev.14/Add.1 • TN/AG/SCC/GEN/13/Rev.14/Add.1  
 
- 25 - 
 
  Reply from Peru to the questionnaire circulated on 1 0 September  2019 (original reply in 
Spanish)  
I.  Market Access  
Peru made no changes to its cotton -related policies concerning market access.  
II.  Domestic Support  
Cotton Financing Programme  
1. Description of the Programme:  
The funding programme helps enhance the competi tiveness of Peruvian cotton and boosts the cotton 
production chain through the provision of reimbursable loans to eligible small cotton producers 
forming part of producer organizations in the Pisco, Ica, Chincha, Cañete and Santa valleys.  
2. Objective:  
Provis ion of loans to finance cotton farming for the purchase of inputs (seed, fertilizers and 
agrochemicals), machinery, labour, administrative costs and technical assistance.  
3. Beneficiaries:  
Small cotton producers in the Pisco, Ica, Chincha Cañete and Santa val leys, through producer 
organizations (formally established cooperatives and/or associations), which, in addition, provide 
services relating to business management and technical assistance.  
4. Duration:  
The programme runs from November  2018 to October  2019, in  accordance with the planting and  
harvesting season in each valley.  
5. Form of benefit:  
The Temporary Funding Programme for Agricultural Inputs, financed with resources from the 
AGROPERU Fund through AGROBANCO, is intended for small producer organizations in the Pisco, 
Ica, Chincha, Cañete and Santa  valleys, for the purchase of inputs (seed, fertilizers and 
agrochemicals), labour, technical assistance and technical management support.  
The preferential rate for cotton producers is an annual effective rate of 12 % for up to nine months 
for the Tanguis variety and up to seven months for the Hazera and IPA  59 varieties. The interest 
rate on loan arrears applied to this funding programme is 16% for all varieties.  
The programme has a budget of 5,000,000 (five  million soles), broken down as follows:  
Table 1  - Budget breakdown  
Category  Amount  
(in soles)  Percentage 
(%) 
1. Campaign funding  4,750,605.00  95.01%  
2. Programme operational costs and technical assistance 
incentives  249,395.00  4.99%  
Total 5,000,000.00  100%  
Source:  Agricultural Financing and Insurance Directorate, based on the Financing Programme for the 
2019-2020 Cotton Season - Agroperú Fund, Agrobanco.  
The amount of funding per hectare is 4,300 soles, with a maximum of four hectares per producer, 
broken do wn as follows:  TN/AG/GEN/34/Rev.14/Add.1 • TN/AG/SCC/GEN/13/Rev.14/Add.1  
 
- 26 - 
 
  Table 2  - Financing breakdown per hectare  
Category  Amount (in soles)  
Inputs: seed, fertilizers and agrochemicals  
Services: labour, machinery and water  4,110.00  
Technical assistance  140.00  
Technical management support  50.00  
Total 4,300.00  
Source:  Agricultural Financing and Insurance Directorate, based on the Financing Programme for the 
2019-2020 Cotton Season - Agroperú Fund, Agrobanco.  
III.  Export Competition  
Peru does not provide export subsidies for agricultural products, incl uding cotton.  TN/AG/GEN/34/Rev.14/Add.1 • TN/AG/SCC/GEN/13/Rev.14/Add.1  
 
- 27 - 
 
  Reply from Argentina to the questionnaire circulated on 11 February 2019 (original reply 
in Spanish)  
The Government Secretariat for Agroindustry wishes to state that it continues to make efforts to 
incorporate the Cotton Fibre Quality Improvement Assistance Programme (PROCALGODON), created 
by virtue of Resolution No.  537/2008 under the Better Cotton Initiative (BCI). Through it, it is hoped 
that Argentinian cotton will meet the international trade standards that the leading textile bran ds 
require, thus enabling its entry into those markets. To that end, both the public and private sectors 
will pursue joint efforts to develop the traceability programme and the network of HVI (High Volume 
Instrument) laboratories to determine the quality a nd origin of cotton fibre. The commitment of 
provinces with the highest cotton production to this issue is crucial. For example, some trials have 
been conducted in Santa Fe, (promoting the use of RFID technology for the reading of bales); while 
in Santiago  del Estero efforts are underway to place the producer at the centre of trials, in carrying 
out harvest and post -harvest activities, highlighting that a lot of work still needs to be done with the 
crop before its traceability can be refined. In parallel, e fforts are focusing on which software to use, 
it being understood that a blockchain system that guarantees data inviolability throughout the 
various steps being traced should be considered. Regarding improved cotton fibre quality, INTA has 
been conducting research on new varieties, which will include the Guazuncho 4 INTA BGRR, Pora 3 
INTA BGRR and Guaraní INTA BGRR grades, which, among other features, are resistant to diseases 
(such as the Cotton Blue Disease). Testing protocols are being conducted and are at the experimental 
stage.  
While it is true that cotton exports have been affected by Decree No.  793/2018, which establishes 
a levy on this activity, and the amendments thereto, the national authorities are currently trying to 
identify solutions that will meet the requirements of the sector.  
Lastly, we wish to recall and highlight the commitment by the State and regional producers to 
combat the cotton boll weevil ( Anthonomus grandis, Boheman ), the main pest affecting this crop. 
Success depends on efficient existing plant health agencies and the establishment of new ones. This 
is clearly demonstrated in the provinces of Santiago del Estero, Chaco and Santa Fe, the main 
cotton -producing provinces in Argentina. However, it should be noted that, due to severe we ather 
conditions affecting a large part of the cotton zone in our country, these efforts have been stymied 
and several provinces have declared a flood emergency.  TN/AG/GEN/34/Rev.14/Add.1 • TN/AG/SCC/GEN/13/Rev.14/Add.1  
 
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  Reply from Turkey to the questionnaire circulated on 11 February 2019  
With regard to the Director of the Agriculture and Commodities Division's invitation to Members, on 
the 11 February 2019, to provide updates on cotton -related policy developments in adv ance of the 
forthcoming eleventh dedicated discussion on cotton, Turkey submits the following information:  
- Market Access : In Turkey 's Harmonized System, there are two products with 12 digits code 
under in heading 52.01 (cotton, not carded or combed) as fol lowings : 
• 5201.00.10.00.00  – Rendered absorbent or bleached  
• 5201.00.90.00.00  – Others . 
Turkey applies 0 % customs duty to all countries for these goods.  
Notwithstanding, as of 17.04.2016, Turkey has started to implement a rate of 3 % (CIF) anti -
dumping duty, if the goods are, which listed above, with the US origin.  
- Domestic Support : No new or updated cotton -related policy developments . 
- Export Competition : No new or updated cotton -related policy developments . TN/AG/GEN/34/Rev.14/Add.1 • TN/AG/SCC/GEN/13/Rev.14/Add.1  
 
- 29 - 
 
  Reply from Egypt to the questionnaire circulated on 14 September  2018  
- Market Access conditions : 
1) Applied tariffs on cotton 2018 versus Egypt 's Bound tariffs:  
HS Description  Applied tariff  
2015 %  Bound Tariff %  
5201.00  Cotton, not carded or combed  Free 5 
5202.00  Cotton waste (including yarn waste and garnetted stock)    
5202.10  - Yarn waste (including thread waste)  5 5  
- Other:    
5202.91  - - Garnetted stock  5 5 
5202.99  - - Other  5 5 
5203.00  Cotton, carded or combed  5 5 
 
2) Egyptian cotton trade  
 
 2015  2016  2017  Until June 2018  
Quantity 
(tonnes)  VALUE 
(USD 
million)  Quantity 
(tonnes)  VALUE 
(USD 
million)  Quantity 
(tonnes)  VALUE 
(USD 
million)  Quantity 
(tonnes)  VALUE 
(USD 
million)  
Exports  36404.54  90.411261  30565.039  87.5227  32129.719  93.7157  23429.95  72.8173  
Imports  73530.91  146.067  842818.8  147.4436  115912.449  235.629  62904.62  133.43  
 
3) Egyptian cotton production (.000 quintals)  
 
2017/2018  2016/2017  2015/2016  Year  
1407  7270  1096  Production  
 TN/AG/GEN/34/Rev.14/Add.1 • TN/AG/SCC/GEN/13/Rev.14/Add.1  
 
- 30 - 
 
  Reply from Colombia to the questionnaire circulated on 24 January 2018 (original reply in 
Spanish)  
The WTO questionnaire requests information on any new or updated cotton -related 
policy  developments.  
Market access : In addition to the duty -free treatment gr anted by Colombia to its main 
cotton -supplying trading partners, the Colombian Government considered it viable to grant a  15,000 
tonne import quota for 2018, at a zero tariff rate, for uncarded and uncombed cotton under tariff 
subheading 5201.00.30.00 for third countries with which trade agreements have not been 
concluded.  
The quota was opened to help supply domestic industry in the quantities required for industrial 
consumption in 2018, even though the fibre included in this subheading is not produced in t he 
country's cotton regions. This measure is pending approval and regulation.  
Domestic support : Owing to the good performance of the cotton market and the high prices 
recorded in 2016 -2017, the Colombian Government does not envisage implementing any suppor t 
programme for producers, nor does it have any new or recent cotton -related instruments.  
Export competition : Colombia did not apply any export competition measures.  TN/AG/GEN/34/Rev.14/Add.1 • TN/AG/SCC/GEN/13/Rev.14/Add.1  
 
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  Reply from Angola to the questionnaire circulated on 28  March 2017  
In response to the Sec retariat questionnaire, Angola is giving the following information:  
(1)   Market access  
Cotton production in Angola is insignificant. In 2016, the production of cotton fibre ( lint) was 
640 tonnes. For 2017, cotton fibre production is estimated at 68 tonnes. Projected cotton fibre 
production for 2018 is 480 tonnes.  
Prior to the rehabilitation of the national textile industry, the cotton produced was exported to 
Bangladesh. After the rehabilitation of the textile industry, the cotton produced in the cou ntry started 
to sell in the domestic market.  
The national textile industry, composed of three spinning and weaving factories, has imported cotton 
from Greece and India to meet its needs. This picture will be change with the full re -launch of cotton 
product ion in the country. The estimated yearly need of the national textile industry is estimated at 
24.000 tonnes of cotton fibre.  
(2)   Domestic support  
In 2017 the Ministry of Agriculture took the first step towards the sustainable re -launch of cotton 
production in  the country. This year 212 hectares of land were cultivated. The Ministry of Agriculture 
provided seeds and inputs and assisted with the preparation of land.  
Banks in Angola are available to finance the cotton value chain, provided entrepreneurs submit 
feasible investment projects.  
The Angolan Executive is committed to mobilizing financial resources for the relaunch of the cotton 
value chain.  
(3)   Export competition  
Angola does not apply any export competition measures.  TN/AG/GEN/34/Rev.14/Add.1 • TN/AG/SCC/GEN/13/Rev.14/Add.1  
 
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  Reply from Burkina Faso to the questionnaire circulated on 28  March 2017 (original reply 
in French)  
There have been no particular changes across the three pillars of market access, domestic support 
and export competition since the 26th round of the WTO Director -General's Consultative Fr amework 
Mechanism on Cotton. Burkina Faso's cotton -related policy developments are summarized in the 
following table:  
Pillars  Cotton -related policy 
developments  Comments  
Market Access  Nothing to report  Nothing to report  
Domestic Support  Nothing to report  Nothing to report  
Export Competition  Nothing to report  Nothing to report  
 
By way of general comment on Burkina Faso's cotton sector, it is important to point out that for this 
2017/2018 cotton season, the cotton will be grown from 100% conventional cotton seed.  TN/AG/GEN/34/Rev.14/Add.1 • TN/AG/SCC/GEN/13/Rev.14/Add.1  
 
- 33 - 
 
  Reply from Benin to the questionnaire circulated on 13  September 2016 (original reply in 
French)  
Eager to bring about a significant expansion of the cotton sector in the framework of a public -private 
partnership, the Council of Mi nisters decided to revive the Framework Agreement between the State 
and the Cotton Trade Association (AIC). Accordingly, the agreement, which had been suspended on 
23 September  2013, was renewed on 28  April 2016. A number of reforms undertaken by the 
Benin ese Government have had a direct or indirect impact on the cotton sector through the three 
pillars of agriculture, i.e. market access, domestic support and export competition.  
(1)   Market access  
One of the aims of the amending finance law adopted in July  2016 a nd the preliminary draft finance 
law of 2017 is to promote measures to stimulate private investment. Accordingly, since July  2016, 
the registration formalities for the following documents are taxed at 0% : 
• deeds for transfer of movable and immovable propert y, in connection with the 
improvement of the business climate;  
• credit agreements, in order to reduce the cost of credit transactions.  
Measures were also taken to reduce harassment along the trunk roads.  
Similarly, in connection with the transport of seed c otton from the self -managed markets to the 
processing plants, the Government decided to remove the rehabilitation of rural roads from the 
responsibilities relating to critical functions. The rehabilitation of dirt roads used for cotton is now 
the responsib ility of the State.  
(2)   Domestic s upport  
In connection with domestic support, the following new measures have been taken:  
• Revival of the Framework Agreement between the State and the AIC. The introduction of 
domestic price support mechanisms for producers  is now the responsibility of the 
sectoral trade associations in cooperation with the Ministry.  
• Production and agricultural  research capacity -building through the introduction, in 
July 2016, of an agricultural research contribution charged on exports of cotton seed and 
fibre and raw cashew nuts, at a rate of CFAF 10 per kilogram exported.  
• Suspension by the Government of cotton  subsidies (particularly in relation to inputs) as 
from the 2016 -2017 season.  
(3)   Export c ompetition  
The introduction of a framework conducive to agro -industry is at the centre of the interim budget 
for 2016. A public/private partnership law will help to promo te the processing industry and in 
particular the cotton spinning mills.  TN/AG/GEN/34/Rev.14/Add.1 • TN/AG/SCC/GEN/13/Rev.14/Add.1  
 
- 34 - 
 
  Reply from Mali to the questionnaire circulated on 13  September 2016 (original reply in 
French)  
The following noteworthy developments have occurred since July  2016:  
(1)   Market access  
Aware ness-raising missions along major roads to reduce the number of checkpoints;  
Fact-finding mission to assess the opportunities offered by Mauritania's Autonomous Port . 
(2)   Domestic support  
Signing of a performance contract with the Compagnie Malienne des Textiles (COMATEX  SA) for the 
sourcing of raw materials on preferential terms;  
Payment of VAT abolished (exemption) on the purchase price of cotton seed for the crushing  plants;  
"1,000 tract ors" programme: facilitated access to tractors in order to boost domestic production;  
Signing of a protocol between the National Oil  Mill and Cattle Feed Federation  of Mali (FENAPHAB) 
and stakeholders in the livestock meat subsector in order to provide better access to oil cake and 
other cattle feed.  
(3)   Export c ompetition  
Mali does not grant any cotton export subsidies.  TN/AG/GEN/34/Rev.14/Add.1 • TN/AG/SCC/GEN/13/Rev.14/Add.1  
 
- 35 - 
 
  Reply from Australia to the questionnaire circulated on 22  February 2016  
 
Cotton Research 
and Development  Research into 
improvements in cotton 
production  AUD 7.729 million 
for 2014 -15 Australian Government 
Department of 
Agriculture, Water 
Resources (DAWR)  
 TN/AG/GEN/34/Rev.14/Add.1 • TN/AG/SCC/GEN/13/Rev.14/Add.1  
 
- 36 - 
 
  Reply from Chad to the questionnaire circulated on 4  February 2015 (original reply in 
French)   
The Permanent Mission of the Republic of Chad to the World Trade Organization (WTO) presents its 
compliments to the WTO Secretariat and, further to the Secretariat's corresponde nce of 
4 February  2015 on relevant trade -related developments for cotton, has the honour to transmit 
herewith details of new cotton -related policy developments that have occurred in Chad since 
January  2014 in relation to the following three pillars:  
(1)   Market a ccess 
Chad has adopted an action plan with a view to substantially increasing production in its cotton 
sector. This will enable the country to boost exports to the main consumer countries, most notably 
Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Portugal and Ger many.  
(2)   Dom estic support  
Despite a difficult budgetary situation, due to the fall in oil prices which has spread to other raw 
materials and which has played a significant role in slowing down the country's economic growth, 
the Chadian State has fought to mai ntain its cotton sector, which is of considerable economic and 
social importance for millions of Chadians. This support, which has a significant impact on priority 
sectors such as education and health, clearly demonstrates the Government's determination to  do 
everything possible to ensure that this important sector does not disappear - something that would 
have disastrous consequences for Chad and its population. This support is consistent with Article  6.2 
of the Agreement on Agriculture.  
(3)   Export competition  
Chad continues to suffer the severe financial consequences of falling cotton prices due to the unfair 
competition that we are continuously denouncing at the WTO. If all cotton -producing countries were 
on an equal footing in the international market, Chadi an cotton would be more competitive and the 
cotton sector would be making a profit instead of the successive losses recorded in recent years.  
This is a moral issue within the WTO, and as WTO Members we are all responsible for finding a 
solution to this sit uation, which is unacceptable to countries like ours.  
The Permanent Mission of the Republic of Chad to the World Trade Organization takes this 
opportunity to renew the assurances of its highest consideration to the WTO Secretariat.  
Access to international markets  
The Société Cotonnière du Tchad (COTONTCHAD) exported 31,700 tonnes of fibre in 2014 and 
envisages export production of 52,000 tonnes of fibre in 2015, i.e. an increase of almost 50%. This 
significant increase is linked to the creation of a busines s plan that envisages a gradual increase in 
production to 120,000 tonnes of fibre by 2018.  
This business plan was adopted by the Board of Directors, which includes representatives of the 
various Ministers responsible for agricultural policy in general and the development of the cotton 
sector in particular.  
The increase in production has been possible thanks to the support the State has provided by selling 
inputs (fertilizer, insecticides and various other materials) to farmers to increase crop yields, and 
the increase in the purchase price paid to cotton farmers, which is set at 240 CFAF/kg for high -grade 
cotton.  
Cotton is of considerable economic and social importance to Chad. The Chadian government has 
spared no effort to provide financial support to incr ease cotton production, since this sector provides 
a livelihood, both directly and indirectly, for almost 3 million people. The cotton sector is the only 
sector that brings large quantities of fresh capital into producing regions. It helps to settle the TN/AG/GEN/34/Rev.14/Add.1 • TN/AG/SCC/GEN/13/Rev.14/Add.1  
 
- 37 - 
 
  population, and COTONTCHAD SN, which is in charge of purchasing, ginning and marketing, funds 
village associations with a view to the construction of classrooms and family health clinics.  
3756CFAF 20 billion in cash was distributed to farmers in 2014 for the  purchase of seed cotton, 
and the company plans to provide CFAF 31 billion in 2015. In anticipation of the increase 
in production in the next two to three years, the Chadian State has committed itself, 
via the Development Bank of Central African States (BD EAC), to a long -term loan of approximately 
CFAF 30 billion for  COTONTCHAD SN, so as to ensure the renewal and strengthening of logistics and 
industrial infrastructure.  
Due to the lack of cotton processing infrastructure at national and regional level, COTO NTCHAD SN 
exports 98% of its production abroad. The main consumer markets are Asian and European 
countries. Although there are no particular restrictions affecting Chad directly, certain domestic 
policies implemented by wealthier countries distort competit iveness. This means that certain mills, 
while appreciating the intrinsic qualities of Chadian cotton, refrain from buying our cotton when they 
compare its price with the local prices of their own production, which are driven down artificially. 
However, giv en the much appreciated quality of Chadian cotton, our sales remain steady, despite 
the fall in prices.  
Listed below are the main consumers of Chadian cotton in 2014 and 2015:  
Exports o f Chadian Cotton by Country  
Country  Quantity  (tonnes ) 
2014  Projection for 2015  
Germany  1,500  3,500  
Portugal  2,550  5,200  
Spain  700 1,300  
Italy 200 900 
India 8,300  9,500  
Indonesia  3,380  5,800  
Bangladesh  11,415  18,220  
China  1,850  3,800  
Malaysia  180 680 
Thailand  500 600 
Viet Nam  1,125  2,500  
Total 31,700  52,000  
 
State Domestic Support  
In 2014, the Chadian State budgeted 6.9 billion to support farmers by subsidizing fertilizer. 
For 2015, it budgeted 6.69 billion. Of the amount for 2014, COTONTCHAD SN received 3.5 billion, 
although nothing has yet been paid out under the 2015 budget due to the country's current economic 
and financial situation, which is particularly difficult.  
This support is consistent with the provisions of Article 6.2 on special and differential treatment for 
the promotion of agr iculture and rural areas in low -income countries and the fight against poverty.  
Despite a difficult budgetary situation, due to the drop in oil prices which has spread to other raw 
materials and which has played a significant role in slowing down the count ry's economic growth, 
the Chadian State has fought to maintain its cotton sector, which is of considerable economic and 
social importance for millions of Chadians. The State's actions, which have had an important impact 
on priority sectors such as educatio n and health, clearly demonstrate the Government's 
determination to do everything possible to ensure that this important sector does not disappear - 
something that would have disastrous consequences for Chad and its population.  
Cotton plays a pivotal role in our country's development. It is competitive. And yet it suffers from 
the effects of the massive cotton subsidies provided by certain countries, which have the effect of 
driving down prices on the international market.  
For Chad, the time has come to mov e on from general statements and engage constructively in 
substantive discussions on the cotton issue. This belief forms the basis of its commitment and TN/AG/GEN/34/Rev.14/Add.1 • TN/AG/SCC/GEN/13/Rev.14/Add.1  
 
- 38 - 
 
  determination to continue negotiating with other C4 members at the WTO. Chad remains open to 
any initia tives that might help to find an acceptable solution to the cotton issue.  
Export Competition  
The massive support provided to farmers in the form of both production and operating subsidies by 
countries such as the United States and China and by the European  Union constitute unfair 
competition and have been denounced for several years now by the C4 countries within the WTO 
framework. The least developed countries (LDCs) continue to suffer the severe financial 
consequences of falling cotton prices. If all cott on-producing countries were on an equal footing in 
the international market, African cotton would be more competitive and the cotton sector would be 
making a profit instead of the successive losses recorded in recent years.  
Countries such as the United Sta tes and China have introduced mechanisms to help the  C4 countries 
with a view to repairing the harm they have suffered, but these interventions amount  to very little 
when compared with the hundreds of millions of dollars paid to their respective  producers.  
What is being demanded by the C4 countries in general, and by Chad in particular, is compliance 
with the WTO rules that condemn unfair competition and the artificial driving down of prices, rather 
than the rules on subsidies, which are already well define d and should be limited in terms of  volume.  TN/AG/GEN/34/Rev.14/Add.1 • TN/AG/SCC/GEN/13/Rev.14/Add.1  
 
- 39 - 
 
  Reply from China to the questionnaire circulated on 4  February 20155 
First, China supports C 4's position and their request to solve their problem according to the 
Ministerial Decision on Cotton of December 2013 adopted at MC9. We also support the approach to 
solve the problem of cotton on the basis of the Agriculture Modalities of 2008  (TN/AG/W/4/R ev.4). 
We would continue to work together with all Members to find the solution to this issue.  
Second, China's cotton sector is subsistence farming.  
China is among the largest cotton producers in the world. However, China's production is based on 
small -scale and subsistence farming, and the average acreage of cotton is 0.3 hectare per 
household. Moreover, China's cotton production is located remotely in the resource -poor and 
underdeveloped ethnic minority areas, serving as the only instrument for local liv elihood security 
and poverty reduction.  
After joining the WTO, China's cotton production has shown a declining trend; the cotton acreage 
has diminished from 4.8 million hectares in 2001 to 4.3 million hectares in 2013. The main reason 
for such a decline i s the high production cost compared to the lower price of cotton caused by 
subsidies of the developed Members.  
Third, China's cotton subsidies are at minimal low level.  
China's agriculture support toolbox is short supplied compared to other WTO Members. It  has no 
AMS including on cotton, no development box. China is only entitled to de minimis , for which the 
level is also lower than for other developing Members (8.5% versus 10%).  
China's cotton support remains lower both in absolute terms and per capita ter ms. In absolute terms, 
China's cotton support is US D 480 million. In per capita terms per cotton farmer, China's cotton 
support is only just US D 16. 
Fourth, China's cotton subsidy policy is a passive response.  
China has been the victim to the cotton subsidies by the developed Members. Since its accession 
into the WTO, China's cotton imports surged from 113,000 tonnes to 4.2 million tonnes, while the 
cotton acreage actually diminished.  
China's poor subsistence c otton farmers are over 30 million in household, and they will be forced 
out of jobs if the Government does not take the necessary actions. Therefore, the Chinese 
Government has no choice but to subsidize its poor cotton famers to offset the subsidies and 
safeguard the livelihood of those poor famers.  
Fifth, China's cotton subsidy policy does not distort international trade.  
China's temporary cotton reserve policy is designed to offset the turbulence of the volatile 
international market caused by the subsidi es of developed Members. This policy does not create 
production distortion or trade distortion. On the production side, China's cotton production does not 
increase in a significant manner. On the import side, China's cotton import continues to increase 
from 2.8 million tonnes in 2010 to 4.2 million tonnes in 2013. If the import on cotton yarn is included, 
the cotton import will be increased from 4.1 million tonnes to 6.5 million tonnes, which provides 
strong incentives for all cotton producers and the devel oping ones in particular in the context of 
depressed global cotton prices. In addition, the cotton in stock is intended for domestic textile 
industry rather than for export, thus producing no distortion on international cotton market.  
In the meantime, expo rts of Chinese textiles are still subject to tariff peaks, tariff escalations and 
other protectionist measures of developed Members, which the developed Members intend to ignore 
through the so -called recalibration exercise.  
 
5 This reply was provided after the circulation of the second revision of this background paper and is 
included i n document TN/AG/GEN/34/Rev.2/Add.1 – TN/AG/SCC/GEN/13/Rev.2/Add.1.  TN/AG/GEN/34/Rev.14/Add.1 • TN/AG/SCC/GEN/13/Rev.14/Add.1  
 
- 40 - 
 
  Sixth, China has made significan t contribution to resolving the cotton issue.  
China has been the largest cotton importer, and its share in the global cotton import has been 
consistently more than 50%, which creates a lot of market access for the export developing 
Members.  
China has been extensively importing a large amount of cotton from African cotton -producing 
Members, including the C4. During the period 2001 to 2013, China's cotton imports from Africa 
increased from 3,700 tonnes to 442,000 tonnes.  
On the development assistance side, Ch ina has been committed to providing technical and financial 
assistance to the C4 to enhance their production and export capacity. China signed cooperation 
Communiqués with the C4 members in 2011 and 2013, respectively, which cover the supplies of 
agricultu re inputs, training courses, technology transfer, etc. In addition, China has also been 
providing various cot ton-related assistance to the C 4 through bilateral channels.  
On the allocation of the cotton TRQ  
Regarding the allocation of TRQ of cotton, it is consistent with China's WTO commitment. Another 
related question is about the import exceeding the import qu ota. In addition to the 894,000  tonnes, 
we import more than the TRQ subject to the sliding duties.  
On China's domestic support notification  
Regardin g the notification, China has just updated its domestic support notification up to 2010, and 
preparation for new notifications is underway.  
On China's cotton stock  
Regarding China's cotton stock, the stock is real, as we have imported more cotton than our 
obligation. We import cotton for textile processing, but we are facing a lot of difficulties in the textile 
sector as just mentioned. The other reason for the huge stock is that the price for cotton is distorted 
by the subsidies from developed Members.  TN/AG/GEN/34/Rev.14/Add.1 • TN/AG/SCC/GEN/13/Rev.14/Add.1  
 
- 41 - 
 
  ANNEX 5  
INFORMATION ON COTTON MARKETS AND POLICIES FROM  
THE TRADE POLICY REVIEW MECHANISM1 
1.1.  At the second dedicated discussion of the relevant trade -related developments for cotton, 
Members agreed that, in order to complement the revised background paper to be prepared by the 
WTO Secretariat , the Secretariat would compile inform ation related to cotton markets and policies 
contained in the most recent T rade Policy Review (TPR)  reports.2 
1.2.  The Secretariat searched  the most recent  TPR reports available by Governments  and by  the 
WTO Secretariat for the 3 3 Members3 identified in paragraphs 12 and 13 of this paper . Information 
that met the following  two criteria has been  included in this Annex:  (1) information relevant to cotton 
markets and policies ; and (2) information not presented elsewhere in th is background pape r. 
1.3.  No relevant information was found  for the following 15 Members :4 Bahrain, Kingdom of 
(April  2014); Canada (June 201 9); Hong Kong, China (November 2018 ); Iceland (October  2017); 
Indonesia (December 2020); Japan ( July 2020); Kenya ( March  2019)5; Korea, Republic of 
(October  2016); Malaysia ( February  2018); Mexico (April 2017); New Zealand (Ju ly 2015 ); Russian 
Federation (September  2016) ; Norway ( June 2018); Switzerland (May 2017 ) and Chinese  Taipei 
(September  2018). 
1.4.  For the remaining  18 Members, the relevant i nformation found is presented below by Member. 
The date of the most recent TPR report available, as well as the type of report and the document 
symbol for the report , are indicated next to  each Member. No relevant information was found in  the 
most recent Government reports available for these 18  Members .  
1.5.  Information is listed along with the headings of the chapters from which it is extracted , and  
"…" represents information left out from a table, a paragraph o r a chapter.  
1.6.  Information not directly linked to cotton markets and policies but which provides context for 
understanding the above -mentioned information may have also been included  based on the 
Secretariat's own judgement and is without prejudice to information excluded from this Annex.  
 
1 The purpose of the Trade Policy Review Mechanism ("TPRM") is to contribute to improved adherence 
by all Members to rules, disciplines and commitments made under the Multilateral Trade Ag reements and, 
where applicable, the Plurilateral Trade Agreements, and hence to the smoother functioning of the multilateral 
trading system, by achieving greater transparency in, and understanding of, the trade policies and practices of 
Members. Accordingl y, the review mechanism enables the regular collective appreciation and evaluation of the 
full range of individual Members' trade policies and practices and their impact on the functioning of the 
multilateral trading system. It is not, however, intended to  serve as a basis for the enforcement of specific 
obligations under the Agreements or for dispute settlement procedures, or to impose new policy commitments 
on Members (Annex 3 (A)(i) of the Marrakesh Agreement).  
2 Paragraph 13 of the Chairperson's report of the second dedicated discussion of the relevant 
trade -related developments for cotton (TN/AG/29 and TN/AG/SCC/3).  
3 The United Kingdom withdrew from the European Union as of 1 February 2020. The European Union 
and the United Kingdom have communicated that, during the transition period, which ended on 
31 December  2020, Union law, with a few limited exceptions, continued to be applicable to and in the 
United  Kingdom. For the period until 31 December 2020, the Europ ean Union's data also covers the 
United  Kingdom. For the period starting on 1 January 2021, information concerning the European Union covers 
its current 27 member States and the United Kingdom is treated separately.  
4 The date in brackets is that of  the m ost recent TPR report available.   
5 Joint Trade Policy Review of the East African Community (EAC).  TN/AG/GEN/34/Rev.14/Add.1 • TN/AG/SCC/GEN/13/Rev.14/Add.1  
 
- 42 - 
 
  AUSTRALIA (MARCH 20 20) - SECRETARIAT REPORT (WT/TPR/S/ 396) 
4 TRADE POLICIES BY SECTOR  
4.1 Agriculture and Fisheries  
4.1.1 Agriculture  
4.1.1.1 Main features  
… 
Australia's agricultural sector produces a wide variety of commodities. Ranked by gross value, the 
most important are cattle and calves, wheat, milk, and wool (Table 4.1). Furthermore, the annual 
production value normally exceeds AUD 1 billion also for crops such as fruit and nuts, vegetables, 
barley, c anola, cut flowers and the like, cotton and sugar, and livestock items such as lamb, poultry, 
pork, and sheep and sheep meat.  
Table 4.1 - Gross value of production for selected agricultural commodities, 2013 -18 
(AUD million)  
 2013/14  2014/15  2015/16  2016/17  2017/18  
…      
Industrial crops       
Cotton  2,004  1,184  1,530  1,934  2,796  
… … … … … … 
Source:  Government, Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Commodities September 2019. 
https://www.agriculture.gov.au/abares/research -topics/agricultural -commo dities/sep -2019. 
5  APPENDIX TABLES  
Table A1. 1 - Merchandise exports by HS sections and main chapters, 2012 -18 
(USD million and %)  
Description  2012  2013  2014  2015  2016  2017  2018  
Total exports  256,653  253,714  240,086  187,963  192,280  231,029  257,748    
(% of total exports)   
… … … … … … … …  
52. Cotton  1.1 1.0 0.8 0.4 0.6 0.7 0.7 
… … … … … … … … 
Note:  US dollar totals are obtained using the Australian Bureau of Statistics exchange rate (5368.0).  
Source:  WTO Secretariat calculations, based on data from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, 
Trade statistical pivot tables.  TN/AG/GEN/34/Rev.14/Add.1 • TN/AG/SCC/GEN/13/Rev.14/Add.1  
 
- 43 - 
 
  BANGLADESH (APRIL 2019) - SECRETARIAT REPORT (WT/TPR/S/385)  
Table A1. 2 - Merchandise imports, by HS sections and major HS chapters/subheadings, 
2011 -17 
a.  HS section/chapter/subheading  2011/12  2012/13  2013/14  2014/15  2015/16  2016/17  
Total (BDT billion)  2,942.8  3,144.3  2,822.3  3,670.7  3,869.3  4,712.5  
Total (US D million)  37,205.4  39,336.8  36,313.0  47,257.4  49,439.9  59,562.0    
(% of total imports)  
… … … … … … …  
5201 Cotton, not carded or combed  5.3 5.8 6.4 5.0 4.6 4.7 
… … … … … … … 
Note:  Totals differ from imports by selected origins, shown in Table A1.4, because the totals in this table 
were taken from Bangladesh Bank online information.  
Source:  WTO calculations, based on online data from the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics.  TN/AG/GEN/34/Rev.14/Add.1 • TN/AG/SCC/GEN/13/Rev.14/Add.1  
 
- 44 - 
 
  BRAZIL (JULY 2017 ) - SECRETARIAT REPORT (WT/TPR/S/ 358) 
4  TRADE POLICI ES BY SECTOR  
4.1  Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries  
4.1.4   Domestic support  
4.1.4.1   Agricultural/rural credit  
4.1.4.1.1   Minimum price guarantees  
During the review period, Brazil maintained unchanged its 1966 policy of guaranteed minimum prices 
(PGPM), an important pillar of its agricultural policy. The basic element of this policy remains the 
regionally -set minimum guaranteed prices which cover a b road range of crops from rice, wheat, 
maize, cotton, and soybeans, to regional crops like cassava, beans, açaí, guaraná, and sisal, as well 
as a few livestock products like cow and goat milk and honey (Table 4.6).6 On the basis of these 
minimum guaranteed  prices, the government implements several price support mechanisms 
(Table  4.6), including direct government purchases (AGF); premiums to commercial buyers who pay 
minimum prices to supply producers (PEP, VEP); and public and private options contracts back ed by 
private risk premium options (COV, PROP, PEPRO).  In addition to these programmes, producers 
receive various reduced -interest marketing loans which enable them to withhold the sale of a product 
in anticipation of a higher market price (FPPG, FEPM  and FEE below). The state -owned CONAB 
(Section 4.2.2) operates both the AGF set by the MAPA Secretary of Agricultural Policy (SPA) for 
commercial and small -scale farms, and the equivalent programme set by the SEAD for small -scale 
agriculture (PAA, Section 4.2. 4.3) as well as the minimum prices programme for family farms (PGPAF 
programme). …  
Table 4.6 - Price support programmes, 2014/2015 and 2015/ 2016 
Price support programme/description  Use/cost  
Policy of Guaranteed Minimum Prices (PGPM)   
Regulated by Decree No. 57,391 of 12 December 1965 and Decree -
Law No. 79 of 19 December 1966. The PGPM fixes minimum 
guaranteed prices annually for some of Brazil's main crops. Prices are 
promulgated by the National Monetary Council (CMN) through 
Portarias . Portaria No.  854 of 20 August 2014 fixes minimum prices 
for a number of products for the 2014/15 summer harvest. When 
determining minimum prices, the CMN takes into account production 
costs in the different regions, as well as several factors affecting 
domestic and international market prices. The PGPM is implemented 
through credit lines (EGF and LEC); and commercialization 
instruments (AGF, PEP, VEP, PEPRO, COV and PROP; see below).  Products benefited by PGPM in the 
2014/15 were cotton, corn, orange 
and edible beans.  
The only product benefited by PGPM 
in 2016 was wheat.  
… … 
Premium for Product Outflow (PEP)   
The CONAB grants an equalization premium to wholesalers who 
agree to pay farmers a reference price. The premium is determined 
in public auctions and generally reflects the difference between the 
reference price and the market price. In addition to guarante eing 
minimum prices for producers, the PEP is used to shift the supply of 
agricultural products across regions, so as to avoid shortages and 
prevent the accumulation of stocks. In theory, all products included 
in the PGPM can participate in the PEP; howeve r, the programme has 
been used for only a few products so far, mainly cotton, corn, wheat, 
sisal, beans, rice, and wine.  The programme did not support any 
products in 2014/15 crop year. The 
programme supported only wheat 
in 2016 (47,791 tonnes, 
BRL 8.8 million).  
Agricultural Products' Sale Option Private Premium (PEPRO)   
This scheme offers producers and cooperatives the possibility to sell 
their product at a premium, equal to the difference between 
reference and market prices, fixed through an auct ion. In contrast to 
the PEP, premiums are paid directly to producers.  In the 2014/15 crop year, the 
programme supported only cotton 
(BRL 2.4 million and 905,278 
tonnes), corn ( BRL 256 million and 
5,803  million tonnes) and oranges 
(BRL 47.1 million and 
850,383  tonnes). In 2016, the 
programme supported only wheat 
(404,886 tonnes, BRL 108 million)  
 
6 OECD (2016), Agricultural Policy Monitoring and Evaluation 2016 , 16 June. Viewed at: 
http://www.oecd -ilibrary.org/agriculture -and-food/agricultural -policy -monitoring -and-evaluation -
2016_agr_pol -2016-en; USTR (2 016), 2016 National Trade Estimate Report on Foreign Trade Barriers . Viewed 
at: https://ustr.gov/about -us/policy -offices/press -office/reports -and-publications/2016/2016 -national -trade -
estimate . TN/AG/GEN/34/Rev.14/Add.1 • TN/AG/SCC/GEN/13/Rev.14/Add.1  
 
- 45 - 
 
  With 9% and 8.7% inflation in 2015 and 2016 respectively (Table 1.2), regional minimum 
guaranteed prices were kept constant between 2014/15 and  2015/16 for basic and domestic wheat, 
cotton, Arabica coffee, maize, sorghum, jute, rubber and cocoa.7 They were increased by about 7% 
for cassava, ... In 2016/17 minimum guaranteed prices were raised as follows: 9% for rice; 18% 
for cotton…  
Table 4.7 - PGPM operations, 2013 -16 
(BRL million)  
Disbursement (purchase)  2013  2014  2015  2016  
AGF Total 79 84 0 0 
… … … … … 
COV Total 1,395  0 0 0 
… … … … … 
PEP Total 0 0 0 9 
… … … … … 
PEPRO  Total 484 631 15 69 
Cotton  0 244 0 0 
… … … … … 
Total  1,958  715 15 78 
Table 4.8 - Budget allocated to family farming programmes and measures, harvest 
year 2012/13  
Programme  Description  Budget 
…  … … 
Price Guarantee 
Programme for 
Family Farming 
(PGPAF)  An indexation of the credit taken out by family farmers under the 
PRONAF, through which the price is fixed when the credit is 
granted. Upon repayment of the PRONAF's credit, if the price of 
the product financed has decreased, the farmer benefits from a 
discount from the amount due, equivalent to the difference 
between the product's market price and the price set in the 
programme's index. The limit for the PGPAF bonus per farmer is 
BRL 7,000 each year. The programme covers 49 products, 
including corn, cotton, rice, milk, and oranges.  BRL 90 million 
…  … … 
Total budget   BRL 35.3 billion  
 
… 
 
7 OECD (2016), Agricultural Policy Monitoring and Evaluation 2016 , 16 June. Viewed at: 
http://www.oecd -ilibrary.org/agriculture -and-food/agricultural -policy -monitoring -and-evaluation -
2016_agr_pol -2016-en. TN/AG/GEN/34/Rev.14/Add.1 • TN/AG/SCC/GEN/13/Rev.14/Add.1  
 
- 46 - 
 
  CHINA (JULY 2018 ) - SECRETARIAT REPORT ( WT/TPR/S/375/REV.1 ) 
SUMMARY  
… 
 
State involvement in the economy remains considerable. According to a notification submitted in 
2015, state -trading requirements concerned, inter alia : grain, sugar, tobacco, rice, maize, cotton, 
coal, crude oil, processed oil, chemical fertilizers, tungsten, tea, silk, antimony and silver. …  
… 
 
3  TRADE POLICIES AND PRACTICES BY MEASURE  
3.1  MEASURES  DIRECTLY AFFECTING IMPORTS  
3.1.5   Import prohibitions, restrictions, and licensing  
Table 3.5 - Solid wastes forbidden for import into China since end -2017  
No. Category  HS Code  Waste name  
17 
Waste textile raw 
materials  … … 
18 5202100000  Waste cotton yarn (including waste cotton thread)  
19 5202910000  Recycled fibre of cotton  
20 5202990000  Other cotton waste  
21 … … 
Source:  WTO document G/TBT/N/CHN/1211, 18 July 2017.  
3.2  MEASURES DIRECTLY AFFECTING EXPORTS  
3.2.3   Export  prohibitions, restrictions, and licensing  
Table 3.12 - Products subject to export quotas and licensing  
Products  Type of management  Comment  
Goods subject to quota and licensing    
Rice, maize, wheat, cotton, coal  Export quota (licensing)  The quota is allocated by 
the NDRC . 
The licence is issued by 
MOFCOM . 
… … … 
Source:  MOFCOM GACC Joint Announcement No. 76 of 2015 (in Chinese). Viewed at: 
http://wms.mofcom.gov.cn/article/zcfb/g/201512/20151201225345.shtml ; and information 
provided by the authorities of China.  
3.3  MEASURES AFFECTING PRODUCTION AND TRADE  
3.3.5   State trading, state -owned enterprises, and privatization  
 
… 
STEs in China have the exclusive right to import or export the following products: grain, sugar, 
tobacco, rice, corn, cotton, coal, crude oil, processed oil, chemical fertilizers, tungsten, anti mony 
and silver (Section 4.2). The authorities indicate that state trading enterprises operate following the 
market mechanism, with no government interference.  
… TN/AG/GEN/34/Rev.14/Add.1 • TN/AG/SCC/GEN/13/Rev.14/Add.1  
 
- 47 - 
 
  4  TRADE POLICIES BY SECTOR  
4.1  Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries  
4.1.1   Features and market development  
… 
The value of production of agricultural basic products continued to increase during the period  2013-
16, reaching RMB 10,055 billion in 2016 (Table 4.2). The comparative evolutions of volume and 
value during the period varied considerably depe nding of the product (Charts 4.1 and  4.2). For pigs, 
the increased value was due to higher prices, while production slightly declined from its peak in 
2014. In the case of corn, the volume remained largely stable since 2013, while the value of 
production i ncreased steadily. In the case of cotton, the value fell more than the volume. No data 
were made available by the authorities on the volume of production of cereals, fruits and nuts, and 
vegetables.  
Table 4.2 - Agricultural production, 2013 -17 
 VoP of 
agriculture, 
forestry, 
animal 
husbandry & 
fishery  Corn  Cereals  Pigs Poultry  Fruits & 
nuts Vegetables  Cotton  
RMB 1 million         
2013 8,736,069  475,520  601,460  1,256,060  703,221  696,898  1,626,247  142,203  
2014 9,189,183  479,173  619,302  1,229,759  739,378  1,011,947  1,757,014  130,934  
2015 9,617,574  431,493  612,906  1,285,965  739,547  1,115,353  2,009,154  104,142  
2016 10,054,073  372,268  608,911  1,439,154  761,912  1,150,096  2,141,818  93,049  
1,000 ton nes        
2013 .. 218,489  .. 54,930  17,984  .. .. 6,299  
2014 .. 215,646  .. 56,714  17,507  .. .. 6,178  
2015 .. 224,632  .. 54,865  18,263  .. .. 5,603  
2016 .. 219,552  .. 52,991  18,882  .. .. 5,299  
2017 .. 215,891  .. 53,401  18,972  .. .. 5,486  
.. Not available.  
Source:  Information provided by the authorities.  
Chart 4.1 - Value of production  
(RMB million)   
 
Source:  Data provided by the authorities.  
TN/AG/GEN/34/Rev.14/Add.1 • TN/AG/SCC/GEN/13/Rev.14/Add.1  
 
- 48 - 
 
  Chart 4.2 - Volume of production  
(2005 = 100)  
 
Source:  Data provided by the authorities.  
4.1.3   Policy instruments  
… 
China continues to make use of tariff rate quotas (TRQs). Since its previous Review, there have been 
no substantial changes regarding the products subject to TRQs, the tariff rates applied, or the system 
to allocate them (Table 4.4). In -quota and out -of-quota rates have not changed; they are all 
ad valorem , with the exception of the out -of-quota rate for one type of cotton (HS  52.01.00.00). 
Out-of-quota imports of this type of cotton may be subject to a sliding duty that depends upon the 
price of cotton, bu t that cannot exceed 40% (i.e. the bound rate for cotton). Under this system, 
China fixes a threshold price (RMB 15/kg in 2015). If the price of imports is equal to or higher than 
the threshold price, a specific duty of RMB 0.57/kg is levied, and if the im port price is lower than the 
threshold price, an ad valorem  rate based on the formula applies).8 Out-of-quota rates for other 
products are, in most cases, equal to bound rates.   
Table 4.4 - Tariff rate quotas on agricultural products and their utilization , 2015 -16 
Products  Out-of-quota 
rates  In-quota 
rates  Tariff quota 
quantity  In-quota imports  
2015  2016  
(%) (tonnes)  
… … … … … … 
Cotton (2 lines)  40 1 894,000  894,000  894,000  
Note:  The number of tariff lines in brackets refers to the 2015 tariff schedule.  
Source:  WTO document G/AG/N/CHN/30, 2 February 2016; and Ministry of Finance (2015), Customs Tariff of 
Imports and Export of the People's Republic of China , 2015.   
The NDRC is responsible for allocating TRQs for grains and cotton, and MOFC OM allocates the rest. 
Some products subject to TRQs (i.e. grains, cotton, and sugar) are also subject to state trading. In 
these cases, one part of the quota is allocated to state -trading enterprises and the other part to 
 
8 The variable rate is calculated according to a formula, which may be viewed in: Ministry of Finance 
(2015 ), Customs Tariff of Import and Export of the People's Republic of China 2015  (The Legal Texts), Beijing, 
p. 442.  
TN/AG/GEN/34/Rev.14/Add.1 • TN/AG/SCC/GEN/13/Rev.14/Add.1  
 
- 49 - 
 
  other enterprises. The administra tion methods of the TRQs as described by China in its notification 
to the WTO (MA:1 G/AG/N/CHN/2) have remained unchanged.  
The importation of grain (wheat, maize, rice), sugar, tobacco and cotton is subject to state trading.9  
… 
4.1.3.1   Border  measures  
4.1.3.1.2   Measures affecting exports  
… 
Exports of cotton, rice, maize, and tobacco are subject to state trading. These products, except for 
tobacco, are also subject to export quotas, which are managed by the NDRC, and are allocated only 
to sta te trading enterprises. Wheat is also subject to export quotas.  
… 
Table 4.5 - Agricultural products subject to export quotas and licensing in 2017  
Products  Type of licence  Comment  
Goods subject to quota and licensing    
Rice, maize, wheat  and cotton  Export quota 
licensing  The quota is allocated by the NDRC, 
and the licence is issued by MOFCOM  
… … … 
Goods subject to licensing    
… … … 
Source:  MOFCOM GACC Decree [201 7] No. 88. Viewed at: 
http://www.mofcom.gov.cn/article/b/c/201712/20171202690523.shtml . 
… 
4.1.3.2   Internal measures  
4.1.3.2.2   Price  controls and market price support systems  
 
With effect from 1 January 2016, agricultural products (grains, cotton, edible vegetable oil, sugar, 
and silk) and tobacco leaf were removed from the list of products subject to price controls .10  
…  
Regarding cotton, in 2014, China stopped the procurement price system and the stockholding 
programme. They were replaced, on a pilot basis, in the Xinjiang Autonomous Region, by a 
mechanism that sets a target price for cotton. In 2014, the target price for  cotton was RMB  19,800 
per tonne; in 2015, it was RMB  19,100; and in 2016 and 2017, it was RMB 18,600. Through the new 
mechanism, if the market price falls below the target price, the central Government provides a 
subsidy to cotton farmers. During the pilo t reform on target cotton prices, the market price for cotton 
fell to below that of the target price, a situation which triggered the subsidy mechanism. Data on 
the corresponding expenditures were not made available at the time of writing of the present re port. 
As of 2017, a limit was set whereby only 85% of the national cotton production benefits from the 
mechanism. At this stage, there is no plan for the generalization of this pilot scheme, and there are 
no measures to specifically support cotton producti on in other regions.  
… 
 
9 See WTO documents G/STR/N/10 -15/CHN, 19 October 2015, and G/STR/N/10 -15/CHN/Corr.1, 
2 December 2016. The notifying period is 2003 -14. 
10 NDRC  Document [2015] No. 29, 8 October 2015. Viewed at: 
http://www.sdpc.gov.cn/zcfb/zcfbl/201510/t20151020_755152.html  [5 April 2018] .  TN/AG/GEN/34/Rev.14/Add.1 • TN/AG/SCC/GEN/13/Rev.14/Add.1  
 
- 50 - 
 
  … On the other hand, the stockpiles of cotton and maize have declined from the peaks in 2015/16 
and 2016/17, respectively.11 Furthermore, the minimum support prices for rice and wheat have been 
reduced, while the reform of the syste ms of collection, storage, and price -formation of agricultural 
products will continue.12 
Chart 4.3 - Stocks of selected commodities at beginning of marketing years 2005/06 – 
2016/17  
'000 tonnes, except cotton ('000 480 lb bales)  
 
Source:  Online information. Viewed at: https://apps.fas.usda.gov/psdonline/app/index.html#/app/advQuery  
[March 2018].  
 
11 USDA Foreign Agricultural Service. Online P S&D database. Viewed at: 
https://apps.fas.usda.gov/psdonline/app/index.html#/app/advQuery  [March 2018].  
12 The 2018 No. 1 Document of the CCCPC and the State Council, 4 February 2018.  
 - 20,000 40,000 60,000 80,000 100,000 120,000
Corn
Cotton
Rice, Milled
WheatTN/AG/GEN/34/Rev.14/Add.1 • TN/AG/SCC/GEN/13/Rev.14/Add.1  
 
- 51 - 
 
  COLOMBIA (JUNE 2018 ) - SECRET ARIAT REPORT (WT/TPR/S/372 ) 
SUMMARY  
… 
 
… Colombia promotes the use of Price Stabilization Funds (FEPs) in order to deal with fluctuations in 
world prices for certain agricultural products. The resources for these funds come from parafiscal 
charges, mainly charges levied on producers whi ch remain outside the national budget and are 
reinvested by the private sector in programmes of benefit to the activity from which they are 
sourced. In 2017, there were FEPs for cotton, sugar, cocoa, meat, milk and products thereof; and 
palm oil.  
 
… 
 
3  TRADE POLICIES AND PRACTICES BY MEASURE  
3.1  MEASURES DIRECTLY AFFECTING IMPORTS  
3.1.3   TARIFFS  
3.1.3.5   TARIFF CONCESSIONS  
 
… 
 
Given the insufficient level of domestic cotton production and in order to boost the textiles and 
clothing sector, through D ecrees No.  2.530 of 12  December  2014 and No.  1.347 of 22  August  2016 
the Government temporarily authorized the use of zero tariff quotas on cotton imports for a specified 
number of tonnes according to industry needs. …  
 
… 
 
4  TRADE POLICIES BY SECTOR  
4.1  AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES  
4.1.3   DOMESTIC SUPPORT, SUBSIDIES AND OTHER SUPPORT SCHEMES   
 
… 
Colombia makes use of price stabilization mechanisms in order to  deal with fluctuations in world 
prices for certain agricultural products. The Price Stabilization Funds (FEPs), created by Law No.  101 
of 1993, are intended to guarantee producers' incomes, regulate domestic production, and prevent 
price speculation, in a ddition to promoting agricultural exports. The resources for these funds come 
from parafiscal charges: these are charges levied on producers which remain outside the national 
budget and are reinvested by the private sector in programmes of benefit to the a ctivity from which 
they are sourced. In 2017, there were FEPs for cotton, sugar, cocoa, meat, milk and products 
thereof; and palm oil.13 Each FEP has a Steering Committee, composed of producers and officials 
from the National Government, which establishes the methodology for calculating a reference price 
based on the most representative international market quotation for each product. Producers and/or 
exporters make "transfers" to the respective FEP when the market price falls below the reference 
price, or receive compensation from the FEP when the price is above the reference price.  
… 
Pursuant to Article 7 of Law No.  101 of 1993, the Government may provide selective and temporary 
incentives or support to producers, for agricultural production, protecting ru ral income and 
maintaining peace. In this context, the Guaranteed Minimum Price  (PMG) scheme for cotton protects 
Colombian farmers' incomes from fluctuations in international prices by offering compensation for 
the price differential between market prices (New York Exchange) and a minimum guaranteed price 
 
13 The FEP for cotton, which is managed by the Colombian Cotton Confederation (CONALGODON); the 
FEP for centrifugal sugars, molasses obtained by extracting or refining sugar, and sugar syrups, managed by 
the Colombian Sugar Cane Gr owers' Association (ASOCAÑA); the FEP for cocoa, managed by the National 
Federation of Cocoa Growers (FEDECACAO); the FEP for promoting the export of meat, milk and products 
thereof, managed by the Colombian Cattle Breeders' Federation (FEDEGAN); and the F EP for palm kernel oil, 
palm oil and fractions thereof, managed by the National Federation of Palm Oil Producers (FEDEPALMA).  TN/AG/GEN/34/Rev.14/Add.1 • TN/AG/SCC/GEN/13/Rev.14/Add.1  
 
- 52 - 
 
  per tonne of lint. In 2016, the MADR allocated Col$8,920  million of resources to protect growers' 
incomes by granting indemnities to cotton farmers in respect of the two harvests in 2016, for a total 
of 12,968 tonnes of lint marketed. The PMG policy agreed with the Government expired in 2017 and 
the scheme ceased to operate. …  
4.1.4   FINANCING AND INSURANCE  
4.1.4.5   OTHER FINANCING SCHEMES  
 
In addition to the loan programmes implemented by FINAGRO and the  support given by the FAG, 
the sector is supported by other schemes, too, such as the Agricultural Development Fund and the 
Agricultural Solidarity Fund (FONSA).  
FONSA, created by Law No.  302 of 1996, partially amended by Law No.  1.731 of 2014, is an MADR 
fund, administered by FINAGRO, whose purpose is to provide economic support to small -scale 
agricultural producers and fishermen to tackle and partially or fully alleviate their debts when in the 
course of their activities they encounter crisis situati ons which severely affect crops or the quality, 
volume and marketing of agricultural products. Law No.  1.694 of 2013 and its regulations in Decree 
No. 355 of 2014 expanded the scope of the Fund to encompass instances of significant and sustained 
variations  in prices of agricultural products or inputs that cause severe and sustained falls in income 
for producers. Up to 2017, producers of cotton, cocoa, coffee, sugar cane, bulb onion, beans, milk, 
maize, oil palm and potatoes benefited from FONSA on account o f falling prices.14 
… 
 
14 Under Law No.  1.731 of 2014, for the purposes of FONSA small producers are considered to be 
natural persons: (a) whose total ass ets do not exceed 250 SMLMVs; (b) no less than two thirds of whose 
income stems from agricultural and/or fishing activity or who have at least 75% of their assets invested in the 
agricultural sector. Medium -sized producers for FONSA purposes are natural pe rsons with total assets not 
exceeding 700 SMLMVs. MADR (2017), Memorias al Congreso de la República, 2016 -2017. Viewed at: 
https://www.minagricultura.gov.co/planeacion -control -
gestion/Gestin/MEMORIAS%20AL%20CONGRESO%20DE%20LA%20REPUBLICA/Memorias_al_Congreso_de_la
_Republica_%202016_2017.pdf . TN/AG/GEN/34/Rev.14/Add.1 • TN/AG/SCC/GEN/13/Rev.14/Add.1  
 
- 53 - 
 
  EGYPT (FEBRUARY 2018 ) - SECRETARIAT REPORT (WT/TPR/S/ 367) 
SUMMARY  
… 
 
… It has also discouraged the production of crops that use water intensively, such as cotton and 
sugar. … 
 
… 
 
3  TRADE  POLICIES AND PRACTICES BY MEASURE   
3.1  MEASURES DIRECTLY AFFECTING IMPORTS  
3.1.5   ANTI -DUMPING, COUNTERVAILING, AND SAFEGUARD MEASURES  
3.1.5.3   SAFEGUARDS   
 
… 
Since its last TPR in 2005, Egypt has initiated 14 safeguard investigations, imposed provisio nal 
measures in all of them and final safeguard measures on three products: blankets, steel rebar, 
cotton and mixed yarns (Table 3.19). Although few final measures were adopted, the application of 
provisional measures could have acted as a deterrent to tra de. 
Table 3.19 - Safeguard measures imposed, 2005 -June 2017  
Product  Countries 
concerned  Domestic legal 
instrument  Imposed duties 
(c.i.f. basis)  Notification  Situation 
as at 
30/06/1 7 
… … … … … … 
Cotton and 
mixed yarns 
(other than 
sewing 
threads)  All Ministerial Decree 
No. 19/2009  25% of c.i.f. 
value for a 
period of one 
year or not less 
than US D 1/kg  Duties 
eliminated 
by Decree 
336/2009  
Woven 
cotton or 
mixed yarns  All Ministerial Decree 
No. 20/2009  25% of c.i.f. 
value for one 
year period or 
not less than 
USD 1/kg  Duties 
eliminated 
by Decree 
336/2009  
… … … … … … 
Cotton and 
mixed yarns 
(other than 
sewing 
threads)  All Ministerial Decree 
No. 736/2011  
(provisional) 
Ministerial Decree 
No. 589/2012 
(definitive)  3.33 LE/kg  for 
200 days 
(provisional)  
LE 3.48 kg from 
18/7/2012 until 
30/12/2012, and 
LE 3.13/kg from 
31/12/2012 until 
30/12/2013, and 
LE 2/kg from 
31/12/2013 until  
30/12/2014  G/SG/N/6/EGY/5,   
5 December 2011;  
G/SG/N/7/EGY/5/Suppl .1, 
24 September  2012; 
G/SG/N/7/EGY/ 4, G/SG/N/11/EGY/4,  
9 January 2012 ; 
G/SG/N/6/EGY/6 , G/SG/N/7/EGY/5 , 
G/SG/N/11/EGY/3,  
5 March 2012 ; 
G/SG/N/8/EGY/6 , G/SG/N/10/EGY/6 , 
G/SG/N/11/EGY/5,  
20 July 2012 
G/SG/N/8/EGY/6/Corr.1 , 
G/SG/N/10/EGY/6/Corr.1 , 
G/SG/N/11/EGY/5/Corr.1,  
8 August  2012; Duties 
expired on 
30/12/2014  TN/AG/GEN/34/Rev.14/Add.1 • TN/AG/SCC/GEN/13/Rev.14/Add.1  
 
- 54 - 
 
  Product  Countries 
concerned  Domestic legal 
instrument  Imposed duties 
(c.i.f. basis)  Notification  Situation 
as at 
30/06/1 7 
Woven 
cotton or 
mixed yarns  All Ministerial Decree 
No. 116/2012 
(provisional)  10% of c. i.f. 
value and not 
less than 
LE 3.33/kg  G/SG/N/6/EGY/5,  
5 December 2011  
G/SG/N/7/EGY/5/Suppl.1, 
24 September  2012 
G/SG/N/7/EGY/4 , G/SG/N/11/EGY/2, 
9 January 2012  
G/SG/N/6/EGY/6 , G/SG/N/7/EGY/5 , 
G/SG/N/11/EGY/3,  
5 March 2012  
G/SG/N/8/EGY/6 , G/SG/N/10/EGY/6 , 
G/SG/N/11/EGY/5,  
20 July 2012 
G/SG/N/8/EGY/6/Corr.1 , 
G/SG/N/10/EGY/6/Corr.1 , 
G/SG/N/11/EGY/5/Corr.1,  
8 August 2012 Duties 
eliminated 
by Decree 
693/2012  
… … … … … … 
Source:   Ministry of Trade and Industry and WTO notifications.  
4  TRADE POLICIES BY SECTOR  
4.1  AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES  
4.1.1   AGRICULTURE  
4.1.1.1   MAIN FEATURES   
 
… 
Table 4.2 describes land use by crops between 2005 and 2016. The use of land for the production 
of wheat has increased, by some 12%, and so has the use of land for the production of maize, by 
14.4%, while for sugar beet it has risen by more than 235% . On t he other hand, land dedicated to 
the production of sugar cane has remained stable, while there has been a decline in areas used to 
grow rice mainly in order to rationalize the use of irrigation water. The land use for cotton has also 
declined.  
Table 4.2 - Land use by crop, 2005 -16 
(Thousand feddansa) 
Crop   2005  2006  2007  2008  2009  2010  2011  2012  2013  2014  2015  2016  
…  … … … … … … … … … … … … 
Cotton   657 536 575 313 284 369 520 333 287 369 241 131 
a 1 feddan is equivalent to 0.42 hectares.  
Source:  Information provided by the authorities.  
Table 4.3 describes the evolution of the production of the most important agricultural crops in Egypt 
between 2005 and 2016. As can be seen, the production of sugar beet has almost quadrupled during 
the period; the production of wheat has increased by 15%, and the production of meat, fruit and 
vegetables has also followed an upward path. However, during the period, Egypt has experienced a 
decline in the production of some traditional crops such as cotton and rice.  
Table 4.3 - Agricultural outputs, 2005 -16 
('000 tonnes)  
 2005  2006  2007  2008  2009  2010  2011  2012  2013  2014  2015  2016  
… … … … … … … … … … … … … 
Cotton lint  202 602 222 364 95 137 181 109 94 113 160 114 
… … … … … … … … … … … … … 
Source:  Information provided by the authorities . TN/AG/GEN/34/Rev.14/Add.1 • TN/AG/SCC/GEN/13/Rev.14/Add.1  
 
- 55 - 
 
  Table A3. 4 - Egypt's notifications to the SPS Committee, 2005 -November 2017  
Agency 
responsible  Legal basis  Description  Date  Notification  
… … … … … 
CAPQ   Import requirements of cotton lint  5 January 2011  G/SPS/N/EGY/42  
… … … … … 
Note:  GOVS stands for General Organization for Veterinary Services; CAPQ stands for Central 
Administration of Plant Quarantine; EOS stands for Egyptian Organization for Standardization; MALR 
stands for Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation and NFSA  stands  for National Food Safety 
Authority.  
Source:  Ministry of Trade and Industry and WTO notifications.  TN/AG/GEN/34/Rev.14/Add.1 • TN/AG/SCC/GEN/13/Rev.14/Add.1  
 
- 56 - 
 
  EUROPEAN UNION ( FEBRUARY  2020) - SECRETARIAT REPORT ( WT/TPR/S/ 395) 
4  TRADE POLICIES BY SECTOR  
4.1  Agriculture and Fisheries  
4.1.1  Agriculture  
4.1.1.2.1   Domestic support  
4.1.1.2.1.1   Direct payments  
Voluntary coupled support  
… 
In addition to voluntary coupled support, the EU provides for payment for cotton in Bulgaria, Greece 
and Spain (Table 4.6).15  
Table 4.1 - Crop -specific payment for cotton  
 Area  
(ha) Fixed yield  
(tonne/ha)  Payment  
(EUR/ha)  
Bulgaria  3,342  1.2 2015: 584.88  
   2016 and onward: 649.45  
Greece  250,000  3.2 234.18  
Spain  48,000  3.5 362.15  
Source:  Regulation (EU) No. 1307/2013, Article 58.  
 
15 Arts. 56 -58, Regulation (EU) No.  1307/2013 also provide for payments in Portugal for a national base 
area of 360 ha but there is no production in Portugal, and no payments are made.  TN/AG/GEN/34/Rev.14/Add.1 • TN/AG/SCC/GEN/13/Rev.14/Add.1  
 
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  INDIA (J ANUARY 2021) - SECRETARIAT REPORT (WT/TPR/S/ 403/REV.1 ) 
 
3 TRADE POLICIES AND PRACTICES BY MEASURE  
3.2 Measures Directly Affecting Exports  
3.2.2 Taxes, charges, and levies  
The Second Schedule of India's Customs Tariff Act lists all goods that are subject to export taxes. 
The Schedule lists some 50 produ cts at the HS four -, six-, or eight -digit level, including basmati rice, 
coffee, tea, sugar, specified ores, raw wool and cotton, and iron -related products. However, at 
present, most of these products bear a duty of 0%; export taxes apply solely to some mi nerals and 
hides, skins and leather (Table 3.16)…  
3.3 Measures Affecting Production and Trade  
3.3.4 Competition policy and price controls  
3.3.4.2 Price control  
India continues to control the price of some crops to ensure that farmers can sell at a minimum 
support price (MSP) and to procure food for the public distribution system (PDS). In 2019, 24 crops 
were subject to MSPs (Table 3.34). MSPs are established before the two planting/sowing seasons 
(i.e. kharif and rabi) by the Department of Agricultu re Cooperation and Farmers' Welfare (DAC&FC), 
following recommendations made by the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP).  MSPs 
are set for the country as a whole; however, since the variables used to determine MSPs, specifically 
the producti on costs, may vary from state to state, the CACP uses an all -India weighted average 
cost of production when making its recommendations to establish the MSPs.16 An extra payment 
(bonus) above the MSPs, may also be given to encourage farming of certain crops  in certain years 
(e.g. oilseeds and pulses 2016/17 )17; in 2019/20, no bonuses were paid.18 
Table 4.2 - Crops subject to minimum support prices, 2019/20  
Kharif crops  Arhar ; bajra; cotton; groundnuts (in shell); jowar; maize; moong; niger seed; paddy; 
ragi; sesame; soyabeans (yellow); sunflower seeds; and urad  
Rabi crops  Barley; gram; masur (lentils); rapeseed/mustard seeds; safflower seeds; toria; and 
wheat  
Other crops Copra; de -husked coconut; and jute  
Source:  DAC&FC, Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for Kharif Crops of 2019 -20 Season . Viewed at: 
http://agricoop.nic.in/sites/de fault/files/MSP_2019 -20%20%28English%29.pdf . 
Farmers may sell to central and state procurement agencies at MSPs19, or on the open market when 
market prices are higher. If market prices fall below the MSPs, the states/UTs may implement three 
schemes: (i) th e Price Support Scheme (PSS); (ii) the Price Deficiency Payment System (PDPS); 
and (iii) the Pilot of Private Procurement and Stockist Scheme (PPPS).  
The PSS applies to some crops subject to MSPs, if they comply with "fair average quality" norms. 
This Sch eme is in place to ensure that farmers may sell their produce at the MSPs. Under the PSS, 
procurement agencies purchase at the MSP.20 The Scheme is fully financed by the Central 
 
16 CACP, Determinants of MSP . Viewed at: http://cacp.dacnet.nic.in/content.aspx?pid=62 . 
17 Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 1589, 25 July 2017 . Viewed at: 
http://www.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/files/file/growth%20of%20farm%20income.pdf . 
18 MSPs are published online CACP, Determinants of MSP . Viewed at: 
http://cacp.dacnet.nic.in/ content.aspx?pid=62 ; Farmers' Portal, Minimum Support Prices. Viewed at: 
https://farmer.gov.in/mspstatements.aspx ; DAC&FW, Minimum Support Prices (MSPs) for Kharif Crops of 
2019-20 season. Viewed at:  http://agricoop.nic.in/recentinitiatives/minimum -support -pricesmsps -kharif -crops -
2019-20-season ; and DAC&FW, Minimum Support Prices of Rabi Cro ps of 2019 -20 season to be marketed in 
2019-20. Viewed at: http://www.agricoop.nic.in/recentinitiatives/minimum -support -price-rabi-crops -2018-19-
season -be-marketed -2019-20. 
19 Central procurement agencies are the Central Warehousing Corporation, the Cotton Corporation of 
India, the Food Corporation of India, the Jute Corporation of India, the National Agricultural Cooperative 
Marke ting Federation of India, the National Consumer Cooperative Federation of India, and the Small Farmers 
Agro Consortium.  
20 OECD/ICRIER (2018), Trends and Evaluation of Agricultural Policies in India, Agricultural Policies in 
India, OECD Publishing. Viewed a t: https://www.oecd -ilibrary.org/agriculture -and-food/agricultural -policies -in-
india_9789264302334 -en. TN/AG/GEN/34/Rev.14/Add.1 • TN/AG/SCC/GEN/13/Rev.14/Add.1  
 
- 58 - 
 
  Government.21 During the period under review, the list of crops covered by the  PSS was revised, 
and the maximum statutory quantity that may be procured was increased (Table  3.35).  
Table 4.3 - Changes to the Price Support Scheme (PSS) over the review period  
 2014 Guidelines  2018 Guidelines  
MSP crops covered by the PSS  Cotton, oilseeds, and pulses  Copra, oilseeds, and pulses  
MSP crops not covered by the PSS  Copra, coarse grains, de -husked 
coconut, jute, paddy, and wheat  Cotton, coarse grains, de-husked 
coconut, jute, paddy, and wheat  
Duration of the PSS  Maximum 90 days (term may be 
extended)  Maximum 90 days; 6 months for 
copra (terms may be extended)  
Daily procurement threshold  50 kg per day and per farmer  50 kg per day and per farmer  
Maximum procurement quantity  25% of the production  40% of the production  
Support granted to encourage 
procurement  Exemption of the states' mandi taxa and 
logistic arrangements  Exemption of all states' taxes and 
logistic arrangements  
a A fee on the sal e and purchase of agricultural produce.  
Source:  WTO Secretariat, based on Guidelines for Price Support Scheme (PSS) (Oilseeds, Pulses and Cotton), 
2014. Viewed at: http://agricoop.nic.in/sites/default/files/PSS%20GUIDELINES%20final.pdf ; and 
Amended Guidelines for Price Support Scheme (PSS) (Pulses, Oilseeds and Copra) under PM -AASHA , 
2018. Viewed at: http://fci.gov.in/app/webroot/upload/Procurement/PSS%20Guidelines.pdf . 
The PDPS and the PPPS are two new schemes introduced in 2018/19. The PDPS is an alternative to 
the PSS. Under this System, the Government does not purchase; a cash transfer equal to the 
difference between the market price and the MSP is made to the farmers.22 Under the PPPS, an 
alternative to the PSS and the PDPS, private procureme nt agencies purchase, at the MSP price, 
directly from farmers.23 The private procurement agencies are compensated by a maximum of 15% 
of the MSP of its services; thus, the private agency bears some of the losses associated with the 
Scheme.  
The Market Inter vention Scheme (MIS) is implemented on request by the states/UTs, when there is 
a decrease in prices caused by a bumper crop. The MIS applies to perishable crops for which there 
is no MSP. It is implemented if there is a 10% decrease in market price or a 1 0% increase in 
production over the previous year. Under the MIS, perishable crops are purchased by procurement 
agencies at a pre -determined market intervention price that covers production costs. The MIS is 
implemented for a specific period or until the ma rket prices stabilize (whichever is earlier).24 
… 
4 TRADE POLICIES BY SECTOR  
4.1 Agriculture  
Table 4.4 - Agriculture, selected indicators, 2013 -19 
 
2013/14  2014/15  2015/16  2016/17  2017/18  2018/19  
GDP at constant 
(2011/12 prices, 
growth rate %)a 5.6 -0.2 0.6 6.3 5.0 2.7 
Agriculture as share 
of current GDP (%)  18.6 18.2 17.7 17.9 17.2 16.0 
Major agricultural production (million tonnes)b 
… … … … … … … 
Cotton (million bales 
of 170 kg each)  35.90  34.81  30.01  32.58  32.81  28.71  
 
21 Amended Guidelines for Price Support  Scheme (PSS) (Pulses, Oilseeds and Copra) under PM -AASHA,  
2018. Viewed at: http://fci.gov.in/app/webroot/upload/Procurement/PSS%20Guidelines.pdf . 
22 Department of Agricul ture and Farmer Welfare, Guideline for PDPS . Viewed at: 
http://agricoop.nic.in/sites/default/files/Guidelines%20PDPS.pdf ; and CACP (2018), Price Policy for Kharif 
Crops: The Marketing Season 2018 -19. Viewed at: 
http://cacp.da cnet.nic.in/ViewReports.aspx?Input=2&PageId=39&KeyId=615 . 
23 CACP (2019), Price Policy for Kharif Crops: The Marketing Season 2019 -20. Viewed at: 
http://cacp.dacnet.nic.i n/ViewReports.aspx?Input=2&PageId=39&KeyId=669 .  
24 MIS. Viewed at: http://agricoop.nic.in/sites/default/files/MIS_0.pdf ; and Arthapedia, Market 
Intervention Scheme (MIS) . Viewed at: 
http://www.arthapedia.in/index.php?title=Market_Intervention_Scheme_(MIS) ). TN/AG/GEN/34/Rev.14/Add.1 • TN/AG/SCC/GEN/13/Rev.14/Add.1  
 
- 59 - 
 
   
2013/14  2014/15  2015/16  2016/17  2017/18  2018/19  
Agricultural 
exports (value in 
USD million)  43,433.09  39,199.69  32,900.77  33,792.31  39,027.03  .. 
% of total exports  13.79  12.64  12.55  12.26  12.86  11.90  
… … … … … … … 
Cotton, raw (incl. 
waste)  3,692.09  1,904.15  1,958.37  1,626.21  1,892.69  .. 
… … … … … … … 
Agricultural 
imports (value in 
USD million)  14,169.35  19,841.65  21,428.51  24,559.69  23,595.69  .. 
… … … … … … … 
Cotton, raw (incl. 
waste)  392.68  507.32  391.98  945.09  978.42  .. 
… … … … … … … 
.. Not available.  
a Includes agriculture, forestry and fisheries.  
b 2017/18 figures are 4th advance estimates.  
Source:  Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers' Welfare, Directorate of Economics and 
Statistics, Agricultural Statistics at a Glance 20 18. 
4.1.3 Measures affecting production  
4.1.3.2 Support prices  
Table 4.5 - Minimum support prices, 2014 –20 
(INR per quintal)  
Commodity/variety  2014/15  2018/19  2019/20  
… … … … 
Cotton     
- medium staple  3,750  5,150  5,255  
- long staple  4,050  5,450  5,550  
… … … … 
Source:  Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare, Directorate of Economics and Statistics.  
 TN/AG/GEN/34/Rev.14/Add.1 • TN/AG/SCC/GEN/13/Rev.14/Add.1  
 
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  MAURITIUS (OCTOBER 2014)  - SECRETARIAT REPORT (WT/TPR/S/304/REV.1)  
APPENDIX TABLES  
Table A1. 3 - Merchandise imports by product group, 2007 -13 
(USD million and %)   
2007  2008  2009  2010  2011  2012  2013  
Total (US D million)  3,901  4,670  3,725  4,402  5,159  5,772  5,398  
(%) 
Total primary products  40.7 45.9 40.7 43.4 46.9 45.5 47.0 
Agriculture  21.3 23.5 23.9 23.1 24.2 23.5 24.2 
… … … … … … … … 
Agricultural raw material  2.5 2.6 2.4 2.2 3.0 2.0 2.2 
2631 Cotton (other than linters), not carded or 
combed  0.9 1.2 0.9 0.8 1.5 0.8 0.8 
… … … … … … … … 
Source:  UNSD Comtrade  database, SITC Rev.3.  
Table A3. 1 - VAT-exempt supplies, 2013  
Item  
… 
Cotton of headings 52.01, 52.02 and 52.03  
… 
Source:  Value Added Tax Act 1998 (Consolidated Version with amendments to 1 September 2013), First 
Schedule. Viewed at: http://mra.gov.mu/download/VATAct_Proclamation_38_2013.pdf  and  
http://mra.gov.mu/download/VATAct_Proclamation_38_2013.pdf .  
 TN/AG/GEN/34/Rev.14/Add.1 • TN/AG/SCC/GEN/13/Rev.14/Add.1  
 
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  MOROCCO ( FEBRUARY 2016 ) - SECRETARIAT REPORT ( WT/TPR/S/329 ) 
4  TRADE POLICIES BY SECTOR  
4.1  Agriculture and agro -industry  
4.1.1   Overview  
Table 4.2 - Main imports of agricultural products, 2008 -2014  
(USD million)  
Products  2008  2009  2010  2011  2012  2013  2014  
Total imports  42,322  32,882  35,379  44,263  44,790  45,186  46,035  
Agriculture  5,191  3,809  4,197  5,797  5,773  5,042  5,811  
 % of total  12.3 11.6 11.9 13.1 12.9 11.2 12.6 
Main products         
… … … … … … … … 
HS 5201 Cotton, not carded or combed  76 49 71 123 79 71 73 
… … … … … … … … 
Note:  Agriculture by WTO definition.  
Source:  WTO Secretariat calculations based on data from the UNSD Comtrade database; statistics from the 
Moroccan Foreign Exchange Board for 2014.  TN/AG/GEN/34/Rev.14/Add.1 • TN/AG/SCC/GEN/13/Rev.14/Add.1  
 
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  PAKISTAN (MARCH 2015)  - SECRETARIAT REPORT (WT/TPR/S/311 /REV.1 ) 
3  TRADE POLICIES AND PRACTICES BY MEASURE  
3.3  Measur es Directly Affecting Exports  
3.3.1   Registration, documentation, clearance, inspection, and minimum prices  
 
The Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) under the Ministry of Commerce succeeded 
the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) in 2006 and has pursued a more holistic strategy with respect 
to global trade development compared to its predecessor. …  
… 
 
Export contract registration with TDAP remains a requirement for export of cotton. …  
 
3.3.3 Export prohibitions, restrictions, and licensing  
3.3.3.2 Export licensing and restrictions  
 
Table 3.8 - Exports subject to certain conditions  
 HS Code  Item/goods  Condition/procedure/formalities  
… … … … 
10 5201.0000  Cotton  
 (i) Export contract registration with TDAP and classification 
certificate issued by the Pakistan Cotton Standards Institute  
… … … … 
Source : Export Policy Order 2013, Ministry of Commerce.  
4  TRADE POLICIES BY SECTOR  
4.2  Agriculture  
4.2.3   Key sub -sectors  
4.2.3.1   Crops  
Table 4.2 - Area and production of important crops, 2009 -14  
(Area "000" hectares and production "000" tonnes)  
Crops  2009/10  2010/11  2011/12  2012/13  2013/14  Area  
Production  
 
Area  
Production  
 
Area  
Production  
 
Area  
Production  
Area  
Production  
… … … … … … … … … … … 
Cottona 3,106  12,913  2,689  11,460  2,834.5  13,595.0  2,878.8  13,030.7  2,805.7  12,769.0  
… … … … … … … … … … … 
a Cotton production is in thousand bales (375 lbs per bale).  
Source:  Pakistan Bureau of Statistics.  
4.2.3.1.4   Cotton  
Pakistan is the fourth largest cotton producer in the world. Cotton is cultivated by around 1.6  million 
farmers, mostly with smallholdings of less than five hectares. Yields have been largely stagnant for 
the last several years. Cotton is exported as a raw  material, but also provides an essential input to 
the domestic textiles industry.  
The Pakistan Central Cotton Committee (PCCC), a semi -autonomous body in the Ministry of Textile 
Industry has as an objective to improve the sector's productivity. Its annual budget of PRs  500 to 
600 million is funded by a cess payable by the mills. Support pric es for cotton were abandoned 
in 2008. Export contracts on cotton must be registered, with exports being subject to mandatory 
quality inspection and certification.  TN/AG/GEN/34/Rev.14/Add.1 • TN/AG/SCC/GEN/13/Rev.14/Add.1  
 
- 63 - 
 
  Exports of raw cotton  amounted to US D 217 million in 2013, whereas exports of cotton  yarn 
amounted to US D 2.2 billion. Pakistan also imports high -quality cotton, to blend with domestic cotton 
and to produce quality fabrics; imports amounted t o US D 757 million of raw cotton and 
USD 151 million of cotton yarn in 2013. The average MFN tariff on cotton imports is 3.8%, with 
tariffs ranging from 1% to 10%.  
APPENDIX TABLES  
Table A1.2  - Pakistan's merchandise imports by group of pr oducts, 2007 -13  
(USD billion and %)  
  2007  2008  2009  2010  2011  2012  2013  
Total imports (US D billion)  32.59  42.33  31.58  37.54  43.58  43.81  43.78   
(% of total)  
Total primary products  43.2 53.1 47.2 51.2 53.7 53.9 52.2 
Agriculture  13.9 16.8 15.6 17.9 16.9 14.9 14.5 
… … … … … … … … 
2631 Cotton (other than 
linters), not carded or 
combed  2.7 2.8 1.5 2.0 1.9 1.3 1.7 
… … … … … … … … 
Source:  UNSD, Comtrade database (SITC Rev.3).  TN/AG/GEN/34/Rev.14/Add.1 • TN/AG/SCC/GEN/13/Rev.14/Add.1  
 
- 64 - 
 
  PERU ( OCTOBER  2019) - SECRETARIAT REPORT (WT/TPR/S/ 393) 
APPENDIX TABLES  
Table A1. 2 - Total merchandise imports by HS section, 2012 -18 
(USD million and %)  
Description  2012  2013  2014  2015  2016  2017  2018  
Total imports  42,169  43,327  42,184  38,036  36,153  39,788  43,136   
(% of imports)  
… … … … … … … … 
52. Cotton  0.9 0.8 0.9 0.8 0.7 0.8 0.8 
… … … … … … … … 
Source:  WTO Secretariat calculations, based on data provided by the authorities.  TN/AG/GEN/34/Rev.14/Add.1 • TN/AG/SCC/GEN/13/Rev.14/Add.1  
 
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  SOUTH AFRICA (NOVEMBER 2015 ) - SECRETARIAT REPORT  (WT/TPR/S/324 /REV.1 )25 
3  TRADE  POLICIES AND PRACTICES BY MEASURE  
3.3  Measures affecting production and trade  
3.3.2   Competition policy and price controls  
3.3.2.2   Price control  
 
In general, prices in South Africa are market -determined. Guideline prices, for agricultural products 
subject to levies, continue to be determined under the Marketing of Agricultural Products Act (Act 
No. 47 of 1996), to ensure that the levy does not excee d 5% of the actual price. Guideline prices 
are determined for the wine industries, milk and dairy products, as well as cotton lint.  
… 
 
4  TRADE POLICIES BY SECTOR  
4.1  Agriculture  
4.1.2   Policy  
… 
 
Levies continue to apply to the export and/or production of the following products: …, cotton, …  
 
 
25 Trade Policy Review of the Southern African Customs Union (SACU).  TN/AG/GEN/34/Rev.14/Add.1 • TN/AG/SCC/GEN/13/Rev.14/Add.1  
 
- 66 - 
 
  THAILAND (NOVE MBER 20 20) - SECRETARIAT REPORT (WT/TPR/S /400) 
3   TRADE POLICIES AND PRACTICES BY MEASURE  
3.3   Measures Affecting Production and Trade  
3.3.6    Competition policy and price regulation  
3.3.6.4    Price regulation and control  
The legal and institutional framework for price regulation has not changed since the previous Review. 
The Price of Goods and Services Act B.E. 2542 (1999) is the main piece of legislation in this regard.26 
The purpose of the Act is to ensure the fair price of goods and services, and their adequate supply. 
The Central Commission on Prices of Goods and Services (CCP), established in accordance with the 
Act and located in the Department of Internal Trade at the  Ministry of Commerce, is the competent 
authority for implementing relevant policies under the Act. The main responsibilities of the CCP 
include: (i) to designate controlled goods or services; (ii) to prescribe price controls and/or other 
control measures for such goods or services; (iii) to enforce the measures and monitor 
implementation; and (iv) to review complaints and make appropriate decisions thereon. In addition 
to the CPP, provincial commissions were established under the Act to monitor  prices loca lly. 
Once the CPP, with the approval of the Cabinet, issues a notification designating controlled goods or 
services, it has the power to fix or maintain the price of such goods or services or to fix the 
distributor's maximum per unit profit rate. It also has the power to prescribe rules, procedures and 
conditions with regard to the production, import, export, purchase, distribution or storage of the 
controlled goods or services, and to prescribe measures to prevent hoarding of such goods or 
services.27 In addition, the CPP may require business operators to display the prices of their goods 
or services.28  
The CCP maintains two types of lists: one list contains goods and services under  price monitoring 
(Table 3.26), and the other contains goods and services subject to price control (Table  3.27). Both 
lists are updated regularly.  
Table 4.6 - Goods and services subject to price monitoring, March 2020  
List Products  
Goods  
Sensitive list  1. sugar, 2. vegetable oil, 3. diesel, 4. medical masks  
Priority watch list  1. pesticides and fungicides, 2. products that contain ethyl alcohol as a component for hand 
hygiene, 3. scrap paper and recycled paper  
Watch list  … 85. cotton buds …  
Services  
… … 
Source:  Information provided by the authorities.  
4   TRADE POLICIES BY SECTOR  
4.1   Agriculture  
4.1.2    Trade  
Table 4.7 - Imports of selected agricultural products, 2015 -19 
HS code    2015  2016  2017  2018  2019  
… … … … … … …       
5201 Cotton, not carded or combed  USD million  534.1  430.7  484.2  521.0  387.7  
'000 tonnes  503.9  256.8  254.7  258.9  205.1  
… … … … … … … 
.. Not available.  
Source:  Ministry of Commerce; and the Customs Department.  
 
 
26 Price of Goods and Services Act, B.E. 2542 (1999) (English translation). Viewed at: 
https://www.di t.go.th/en/backoffice/uploadfile/255609171740127152262.pdf .  
27 Section 25 , Price of Goods and Services Act, B.E. 2542 (1999).  
28 Section 28 , Price of Goods and Services Act, B.E. 2542 (1999).  TN/AG/GEN/34/Rev.14/Add.1 • TN/AG/SCC/GEN/13/Rev.14/Add.1  
 
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  TURKEY ( MARCH 2016 ) - SECRETARIAT REPORT (WT/TPR/S/ 331) 
3  TRADE POLICIES AND PRACTICES BY MEASURE  
3.1  Measures Directly Affecting Imports  
3.1.8   Contingency measures  
3.1.8.1   Anti-dumping and countervailing measures  
… 
… One anti -dumping investigation has been initiated ex officio with respect to the United States on 
cotton.  … 
… 
Over the review period, there has been considerable anti -dumping activity. Since the beginning of 
2012, 25 new investigations have been initiated and 14 new measures have been imposed; many 
of these have affected more than one WTO Member (Table A3.2). Additionally, various existing anti -
dumping measures have been extended (Table A3.3). Sin ce 2012, a concern has been raised by the 
United States in a meeting of the Committee on Anti -Dumping Practices about Turkey's investigation 
on cotton.29 
Table A3. 2 - New anti -dumping investigations initiated  and measures imposed or 
terminated, 2012 -15 
Products concerned  Exporter(s) affected  Status  
… … … 
Cotton (HS 5201)  United States  Initiation of investigation on 18  October 2014  
… … … 
Source:  WTO document WT/TPR/OV/W/9, 3 July 2015 and information provided by the authorities.  
3.1.8.2   Safeguard measures  
… 
Since the beginning of 2012, Turkey has launched five safeguard investigations. At mid -
October  2015, two of these were still ongoing, definitive safeguard measures had been imposed on 
another two, and one investigation was completed with no definitive measure imposed. Existing 
safeguard measures were extended in eight cases; and of these, one expired in 2014 (footwear) 
and two expired in 2015 (matches and motorcycles) (Table A3.4). On 31  December 2012, ahead of 
schedule, Turkey terminated the safeguard measure on cotton yarn. …  
Over the review period, Turkey has responded to questions posed by India in the WTO  Committee 
on Safeguards regarding certain aspects of determination of serious i njury in the context of Turkey's 
notifications on polyethylene terephthalate and certain types of cotton yarn.30 … 
… 
Table A3. 4 - Safeguard investigations initiated and measures imposed or extended, 
2012 -15 
Date original 
investigation published 
in the Official Gazette  Product(s) 
subject to 
investigation  Imposition of safeguard 
measure  Extension of safeguard 
measure  
… … … … 
21.10.2008  Cotton yarn  
Turkey 
terminated 
this measure 
as of 
31/12/12  15/7/2008 -14/7/2011  
Application of variable duty with 
liberalization annually:  
1st period: 20% max. US D 1/kg-
min. US D 0.35/kg;  
2nd period: 19% max. 
USD 0.95/kg -min. US D 0.33/kg;  
3rd period: 18% max. 
USD 0.90/kg -min US D 0.31/kg.  
Various developing countries  
excluded.  15/7/2011 -14/7/2014  
Application of variable duty with 
liberalization annually:  
1st period: 10% max. 
USD 0.85/kg -min US D 0.29/kg;  
2nd period: 9% max. 
USD 0.80/kg -min US D 0.26/kg;  
3rd period: 8% max. 
USD 0.75/kg -min US D 0.23/kg.  
Various developing countries 
excluded.  
… … … … 
Source:  Turkey's notifications to the WTO Committee on Safeguards.  
 
29 WTO document G/ADP/M/48, 6 August 2015.  
30 WTO documents G/SG/Q2/TUR/6/Rev.1, 11 May 2012 and G/SG/Q2/TUR/6, 4 May 2012.  TN/AG/GEN/34/Rev.14/Add.1 • TN/AG/SCC/GEN/13/Rev.14/Add.1  
 
- 68 - 
 
  3.1.9   Standards and other technical requirements  
3.1.9.4   Controls at the border  
… 
 
In 2011, Turkey started pilot implementation of a risk -based trade control system, TAREKS, to carry 
out safety checks on imported and exported goods on the basis of risk. Consequently, since January 
2012, conformity assessment of certain imported goods (to ys, medical devices, telecommunication 
products, personal protective equipment, batteries and accumulators, construction products, and 
shoes) and as of August 2012, transactions related to cotton controls have been taken under the 
scope of TAREKS. …  
TAREKS  introduces a new risk assessment understanding and emphasizes the control of "risky" 
products while leaving behind the era of checking each product at each arrival at customs. TAREKS 
reduces bureaucratic procedures as well as the number of documents to be  submitted during the 
control process and replaces the paper documentation. It also contributes to effective traceability 
and market surveillance schemes.  
Quality checks for agricultural products are also part of the control process pursuant to Communique  
No. 2015/21 on Commercial Quality Controls on Certain Agricultural Produce at Export and Import 
Stage. In accordance with the Communiqué No. 2012/25, cotton is also subject to commercial quality 
controls at export and import stages and in the domestic mar ket as well. See Section 3.2.4.2 for 
details on the export quality control of agricultural products.  
4  TRADE POLICIES BY SECTOR  
4.1  Agriculture  
4.1.2   Production   
 
Hazelnuts are the largest earner for the fruit and nut category (Table 4.1).  
Table 4.1 - Major crop production, 2010 -14 
 Production value (TL million)  (% of total)  
2010  2011  2012  2013  2014 a 2010  2014a 
Crop production (total)  80,038  88,979  87,947  92,453  97,988  100.0  100.0  
          
…  …  …  …  …  …  …  …  
Raw materials used in textiles, of which:  2,642  4,883  2,758  2,941  3,467  3.3 3.5 
Cotton (raw)  2,642  4,883  2,758  2,941  3,467  3.3 3.5 
…  …  …  …  …  …  …  …  
a 2014 data is provisional.  
Sources:  Turkstat , Agricultural Structure (production, price, value) Publication; Turkstat, The Summary of 
Agricultural Statistics Publication.  
4.1.3   Trade  
4.1.3.1   Overview   
… 
 
Over the past five years, imports of raw materials and exports of processed goods have increased 
in parallel: as imports of cotton, wheat, and tobacco increased, exports of textiles, flour and 
confectionary, and tobacco products also increased. …  
… 
Table 4.3 - Exports of agricultural products, 2010 -14 
(USD million)    
2010  2011  2012  2013  2014  
 Total exports  113,979  134,915  152,537  151,803  157,715  
 Total agriculture exports  11,899  14,350  15,105  16,707  17,635  
 of which       
… … … … … … … 
1512 Sunflower -seed, safflower or cotton -seed oil  103 341 418 496 790 
… … … … … … … 
Source:  UNSD Comtrade.  
… TN/AG/GEN/34/Rev.14/Add.1 • TN/AG/SCC/GEN/13/Rev.14/Add.1  
 
- 69 - 
 
  Table 4.4 - Imports of agricultural products, 2010 -14 
(USD million)  
  2010  2011  2012  2013  2014  
 Total imports  185,541  240,839  236,544  251,661  242,224  
 Total agricultural imports  9,865  13,477  12,599  13,398  14,554  
 of which       
5201 Cotton, not carded or combed  1,720  1,850  1,275  1,681  1,750  
… … … … … … … 
1512 Sunflower, safflower or cotton -seed oil  274 629 988 919 1,201  
… … … … … … … 
Source:  UNSD Comtrade.  
The main source of imports also depends on the product: in 2014, the United States was the main 
supplier of cotton (HS 5201); … 
4.1.4   Support programmes   
Table 4.8 - Main measures of agricultural support, 2011 -14 
(TRY million)  
 2011  2012  2013  2014  
Producer support estimate (PSE)  27,022.51  26,041.07  31,385.15  33,888.92  
… … … … … 
Deficiency payments:  2,434.49  2,736.55  2,639.91  2,689.09  
Cotton premium  792.27  1,123.69  1,037.21  1,075.23  
… … … … … 
Source:  OECD, PSE.  
5  APPENDIX TABLES  
Table A2. 1 - Turkey's Involvement in Dispute Settlement Cases, 1  January  2012  – 
1 December 2015  
Subject  Respondent/  
complainant/  
appellant  Request for 
consultation 
received  Status  (as at 
30 October  2014)  WTO 
document 
series  
Panels  
Turkey as a respondent:  
Turkey – Safeguard Measures on 
Imports of Cotton Yarn (other 
than Sewing Thread)  Turkey/India  13-Feb-12 Consultations 
requested  WT/DS428  
… … … … … 
Source:  WTO Secretariat.  TN/AG/GEN/34/Rev.14/Add.1 • TN/AG/SCC/GEN/13/Rev.14/Add.1  
 
- 70 - 
 
  UNITED STATES  (DECEMBER 201 8) - SECRETARIAT REPORT (WT/TPR/S/3 82/REV.1)  
SUMMARY  
 
… 
…The 2014 Farm Bill was amended in early 2018, through the passage of the Bipartisan Budget Act 
of 2018, to provide support for seed cotton, to make the Margin Protection Programme more 
attractive for small and medium -sized dairy farms, and to m ake additional disaster relief available. 
A programme to support the cost of cotton ginning was re -introduced as a temporary measure in 
March 2018. The legislative process for the 2018 Farm Bill is ongoing.  
… 
3  TRADE POLICIES AND PRACTICES BY MEASURE  
3.1  Measures Directly Affecting Imports  
3.1.4   Other charges affecting imports  
Table  3.3 - Agricultural fees, applicable since 28 December 2015  
Fee Legal reference  Reason  Amount of fee  
… … … … 
Cotton Import 
Assessment  Cotton Research and 
Promotion Act of 1989 7 
CFR 1205  Cotton research, 
promotion, consumer 
information  Varies according to the 
product and HTS 
number  
… … … … 
Source:  CBP online information. Viewed at: 
http://www.cbp.gov/sites/default/files/documents/userfee0407_3.pdf  and 
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/business -services/user_fees/aqi_user_fees ; and 
information provided by the authorities.  
4  TRADE POLICIES BY SECTOR  
4.1  Agriculture  
4.1.1   Main features  
 
… 
 
…The United States is the world's largest producer of soybeans, maize, beef, chicken, and turkey, 
and ranks third in the world in the production of pig meat and cotton. Market developments in the 
United States therefore have a considerable influence on the  world market prices for many 
commodities.  
Table  4.1 - Value of production, 2010 -17 
(USD billion and %)  
 2010  2011  2012  2013  2014  2015  2016  2017  % of 
Totala 
Total  334.9  379.5  396.6  394.3  406.4  376.2  355.5  372.7  100.0  
… … … … … … … … … … 
Cotton  7.3 7.0 6.3 5.2 5.1 4.0 5.8 7.2 1.9 
… … … … … … … … … … 
a  Percentage of total for the year 2016.  
Source:  USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service online. Viewed at: https://quickstats.nass.usda.gov/ ; 
USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service online information, "Poultry Production and Value", 
different bulletins, viewed at: 
http://usda.mannlib.cornell.edu/MannUsda/viewDocumentInfo.do?documentID=1130 ; and OECD 
Stats, Agriculture Policy Indicators, 2017 Monitoring and Evaluation: Reference Tables.  TN/AG/GEN/34/Rev.14/Add.1 • TN/AG/SCC/GEN/13/Rev.14/Add.1  
 
- 71 - 
 
  Despite a sizable domestic mark et, much of agriculture is highly export oriented, particularly in the 
production of soybeans, maize, wheat, cotton, and chicken. The United States is the world's leading 
exporter of most of these commodities. … 
Table  4.2 - US and world production and trade of selected commodities, 2010 -19 
('000 tonnes, unless otherwise indicated)  
 Marketing 
year 2010/  
11 2011/  
12 2012/  
13 2013/  
14 2014/  
15 2015/  
16 2016/  
17 2017/  
18 2018/  
19  
… … … … … … … … … … 
Cotton (thousand 480 lb. bales)          
Production  United States  18,102  15,573  17,314  12,909  16,319  12,888  17,170  20,923  19,235   
% of world  15.4 12.2 14.0 10.7 13.7 13.4 16.1 16.9 16.0 
Exports  United States  14,376  11,714  13,026  10,530  11,246  9,153  14,917  15,847  15,500   
% of world  41.2 25.5 28.0 25.8 31.7 26.2 39.6 38.8 37.0   
… … … … … … … … … 
Source:  USDA Foreign Agricultural Service, Production, Supply and Distribution database. Viewed at: 
https://apps.fas.usda.gov/psdonline/app/index.html#/app/advQuery . 
Except in 2005 and 2006, when imports almost matched exports, the United States has been a 
significant net exporter of agricultural products since 2000, although the trade surplus has declined 
since the peak period 2012 -14 (Chart 4.1).  
Table  4.3 - Exports and imports of selected products, 2012 -July 18a 
 2012   2013  2014  2015  2016  2017  July 
2018  
Total exports  USD million  145,933  148,499  154,554  137,229  138,909  142,905  85,925    
…  
…  
…  
…  
5201 Cotton  USD million  6,225  5,592  4,396  3,889  3,959  5,828  4,995    
'000 tonnes  2,752  2,790  2,167  2,396  2,469  3,253  2,756  
… … … … … … … … … … 
a HS headings 0201 (meat of bovine animals, fresh and chilled) and 0202 (meat of bovine animals, 
frozen) have been added together so that trade in meat of bovine animals is comparable to HS 
headings 0203 (meat of swine) and 0207 (meat and edible offal of poultr y), which both include 
fresh, chilled, and frozen meat under the same HS heading.  
Source:  UNSD Comtrade database.  
4.1.2   Major support programme  
4.1.2 .1  General legal framework  
 
… 
 
… While the first versions of farm legislation (in the 1930s) focused on support to producers of staple 
commodities (maize, soybeans, wheat, cotton, sugar, rice, and dairy), modern farm bills are much 
wider in scope, and address a range of issues such as revenue and price support, crop insurance, 
credit, disaster rel ief, conservation, research, bioenergy, horticulture and organic farming, rural 
development, nutrition, food aid, and trade. The farm bills are renewed approximately every five 
years.  
 
... A new programme, the Supplemental Coverage Option (SCO), which requ ires producers to have 
an underlying insurance policy, allowed them to add an area -based plan on top of individual farm 
coverage. Producers with historical upland cotton base were not eligible to elect PLC or ARC for 
cotton, but cotton producers were offer ed a supplemental crop insurance programme: the Stacked 
Income Protection Plan (STAX). The Farm Bill also sought to rationalize various conservation 
programmes.  
… 
The 2014 Farm Bill was amended in early 2018, through the passage of the Bipartisan Budget Ac t 
of 2018 (PL 115 -123). As part of the revision, "seed cotton" has now become a covered commodity 
under the PLC and ARC programmes from the 2018 crop year. …  TN/AG/GEN/34/Rev.14/Add.1 • TN/AG/SCC/GEN/13/Rev.14/Add.1  
 
- 72 - 
 
  … 
4.1.2.6 Cotton  
According to the 2012 Census, there were 18,155 cotton farms, down from more than  1 million 
farms in the 1940s. Nevertheless, the United States is the world's third largest producer, and the 
number one exporter, of cotton. Cotton has always been an important export crop, and exports have 
continued to rise with the decline in textile pr oduction in the United States.  
The 2014 Farm Bill did not include upland cotton as a covered commodity under the PLC or ARC 
programmes, but introduced a subsidized Stacked Income Protection Plan (STAX), a cotton -specific 
supplemental crop insurance program me. STAX, which provides coverage for losses of up to 20% of 
the expected county revenue, could be bought on its own or in conjunction with an underlying 
(companion) policy.31 STAX, which triggers indemnities when area revenue declines below 90% of 
the exp ected level, could cover a maximum 30% of the expected revenue or the difference between 
90% and the loss level under the companion policy. The grower also chooses the effective coverage 
under STAX by electing a multiplier (protection factor), ranging from  80% to 120%. However, even 
with most of the premium (80%) paid by the Federal Government, cotton farmers were reluctant to 
sign up to STAX, particularly in the southern plains. Nationwide, only 30% of the eligible acreage 
was enrolled in STAX the first ye ar the plan was offered and, though there were differing regional 
trends, overall participation rates declined further to 26% in 2016 and 23.9% in 2017.32 
While upland cotton was not included as a covered commodity under the PLC and ARC programmes, 
former upland cotton base became "generic acres", and farmers with generic acres could qualify for 
PLC and ARC payments by planting those lands with crops eligible for ARC or the PLC. Payments 
would accordingly be based on current planting decisions, and not on h istorical production, for the 
crops planted on generic acres. Of the 17.6 million generic acres in total, some 8.66 million acres 
were planted with ARC - and PLC -eligible crops in the 2016 crop year, resulting in payments 
amounting to US D 505 million. The m ost commonly planted crops were peanuts enrolled in PLC, 
planted on 1 million acres, with US D 186 million paid, and maize enrolled in ARC -CO, planted on 
2 million acres, with US D 114 million paid.33 
The Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 revised the ARC and PLC  support programmes, with the 
introduction of seed cotton, defined as unginned upland cotton including both lint and seed, as a 
covered commodity under ARC and PLC for the 2018 crop year. Producers with generic base acres 
have the option to allocate those base acres to seed cotton or other covered commodities, based on 
2009-12 plantings. Generic acres without the required 2009 -12 plantings of either cotton or other 
covered commodities become unassigned base acres.34 Either ARC or PLC may be selected for the  
seed cotton acres, with a one -time opportunity to update the PLC yield for seed cotton. The reference 
price (PLC) is set at US D 0.367 per pound, and the marketing loan rate for seed cotton at 
USD 0.25 per pound (for use only in the PLC programme; marketin g assistance loans are not 
authorized for seed cotton). Farmers who choose to enrol historical seed cotton base acres in ARC 
or PLC will not be eligible to enrol in STAX for current cotton production as from the 2019 crop year.  
As a temporary measure to su pport cotton producers, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) 
announced a second Cotton Ginning Cost Share (CGCS) programme in March 2018. Producers were 
invited to sign up by 31 May 2018 to receive a one -time payment equal to 20% of the average 
 
31 Examples of such policies are Yield Protection, Revenue Protection, Revenue Protection with the 
Harvest Price Exclusion, and any Area  Risk Protection.  
32 Glauber, Joseph, W. Unraveling Reform? Cotton in the 2018 Farm Bill , American Enterprise Institute, 
January 2018. The author bases his calculations on data from the USDA Risk Management Agency.  
33 USDA FSA online information. Viewed at: https://www.fsa.usda.gov/Assets/USDA -FSA-
Public/usdafiles/arc -plc/pdf/2016%20ARC%20PLC%20payments%20April%202018.pdf . 
34 Unassigned base acres are not eligible for payments. A farm owner that did not plant any covered 
commodities (including seed cotton) on the generic base acres during the 2009 -16 crop years would now have 
an unassigned crop base.  TN/AG/GEN/34/Rev.14/Add.1 • TN/AG/SCC/GEN/13/Rev.14/Add.1  
 
- 73 - 
 
  ginning costs, based on their cotton planted acres reported to the FSA for 2016.35 The cost -sharing 
payment is limited to US D 40,000 per person or legal entity.36 
4.1.4 Levels of support  
With few exceptions, producer prices are largely aligned with border prices. Among the main 
commodities tracked by the OECD, the highest single commodity transfers (as a percentage of gross 
farm receipts) occur to sugar, milk, and cotton. ...  
Table  4.5 - Total PSE and single commodity transfer values for selected commoditie s, 
2008 -17 
(USD million or % of gross farm receipts for respective products)  
 2008  2009  2010  2011  2012  2013  2014  2015  2016  2017a 
Producer support estimate            
USD million  29,954  31,535  30,774  32,684  36,040  29,056  40,517  38,225  36,485  39,606  
PSE as % gross farm receipts  8.6 10.1 8.6 8.0 8.5 6.9 9.3 9.5 9.6 9.9 
Single commodity transfers            
… … … … … … … … … … … 
Cotton            
 USD million  1,313  252 339 813 591 529 889 852 518 712 
 SCT as % gross farm receipts  30.1 6.2 4.4 10.4 8.6 9.4 14.9 17.9 8.2 9.6 
… … … … … … … … … … … 
a  Preliminary data.  
Source:  OECD Stats.  
… 
Table  4.6 - Federal subsidy programmes for agriculture, FY2015 -16 
(USD million)  
Programmes  Expenditure  
FY2015  FY2016  
Agriculture Income Support and Marketing Assistance for Covered 
Commodities    
… … … 
Extra -long staple (ELS) cotton  0 0 
Upland cotton  49.0 47.0 
… … … 
Source:  WTO document G/SCM/N/315/USA, 14 March 2018.  
 
 
35 The ginning costs are averag ed for four production regions, and range from USD  19.65 in the 
Southwest (Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas) to USD  48.02 in the West (Arizona, California and New Mexico). 
USDA FSA online information. Viewed at: https://www.fsa.usda.gov/Assets/USDA -FSA-Public/us dafiles/ cotton -
ginning -cost-share/cgcs_program_fact_sheet_march_2018.pdf . 
36 Conditions also apply, i.e. compliance with conservation measures, active engagement in farming, 
and that the producer's average adjusted gross income (in the preceding three tax years) must not exceed 
USD 900,000.  TN/AG/GEN/34/Rev.14/Add.1 • TN/AG/SCC/GEN/13/Rev.14/Add.1  
 
- 74 - 
 
  Table A4.1 - Commodity Loan Rates and Price Loss Coverage Reference Prices, 
Agricultural Act of 2014 (as amended)  
Covered 
commodities  Marketing loan programme  
Commodity loan rates  Price loss coverage  
Reference prices  
  Converted into 
USD/tonne   Converted into 
USD/tonne  
… … … … … 
Extra -long staple 
cotton (lb.)  0.7977  1758.6  n.a. n.a. 
Seed cotton (lb.)  0.25a 551.2a 0.367  809.1  
Upland cotton  Simple average of the adjusted prevailing world price 
for the two immediately preceding MYs, but not less 
than US D 0.45/lb. or more than US D 0.52/lb. The 
loan rate for the 2017 crop year was US D 0.4949/lb.  n.a. n.a. 
n.a. Not applicable (i.e. not a covered commodity).  
a The loan rate is set only for the purposes of determining the effective prices for seed cotton under 
the Price Loss Coverage programme. Seed cotton is not a covered commodity under the marketing 
assistance loan programme.  
Note:  For the conversion factors, see  US TPR (2010), Table AIV.1.  
Source:  The Agricultural Act of 2014, as amended, and information provided by the authorities.  TN/AG/GEN/34/Rev.14/Add.1 • TN/AG/SCC/GEN/13/Rev.14/Add.1  
 
- 75 - 
 
  VIET NAM ( APRIL  2021) - SECRETARIAT REPORT (WT/TPR/S/ 410) 
2 TRADE AND INVESTMENT REGIMES  
2.3 Trade Agreements and Arrangements  
2.3.2  Regional and preferential agreements  
2.3.2.2 Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans -Pacific Partnership (CPTPP)  
 
Viet Nam signed the CPTPP on 8 March 2018.37 It was ratified by the National Assembly on 
12 November 2018, and entered into force on 14 January 2019.38  
Viet Nam adopted a phased approach to reducing tariffs for goods originating from CPTPP contracting 
parties over a period of 10 years. Upon entry i nto force, about 66% of total Vietnamese tariff lines 
were zero -rated, which covered products such as, inter alia,  animal feed, dairy products, grains, 
rice, cotton, leather and leather products, textiles and materials for textiles, footwear, rubber and 
rubber products, furniture, wood and wood products, plastics, pharmaceuticals, pesticides, 
chemicals, fertilizers, perfume, cosmetics, machinery and equipment, and electronic accessories. 
Approximately 86.5% of total lines are to be zero -rated within three y ears of the agreement's entry 
into force. For the remainder, tariff reductions will be implemented over a period of between 5 and 
10 years.  
4 TRADE POLICIES BY SECTOR  
4.1 Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries  
4.1.2 Features  
Table 4.8 - Exports and imports of agricultural products, 2013 -19 
HS 
2002    2013  2014  2015  2016  2017  2018  2019  
Exports  
 TOTAL  
(not including rubber)  13,157.3  15,213.2  15,390.6  16,458.8  18,631.7  18,196.9  17,632.8  
… … … … … … … … … … 
Imports  
 TOTAL (not including 
rubber)  11,876.3  13,671.7  15,162.8  16,427.7  18,639.1  20,812.5  20,788.6  
5201 Cotton, not 
carded or 
combed  '000 
tonnes  571.7  742.2  999.3  1,018.2  1,269.3  1,398.5  1,340.7  
USD 
million  1,154.6  1,422.7  1,607.2  1,643.3  2,331.8  2,727.5  2,400.2  
… … … … … … … … … … 
… … … … … … … … 
Source:  UN Comtrade database.  
5 APPENDIX TABLES  
Table A1. 2 - Merchandise imports by HS sections and major HS chapters, 2012 -19 
(USD billion)  
HS section/chapter/subheading  2012  2013  2014  2015  2016  2017  2018  2019  
Total imports  113.8  132.0  147.8  165.8  175.0  213.2  236.9  253.4    
% of total imports  
11 Textiles and textile articles  9.6 9.7 9.8 9.3 9.2 8.4 8.6 8.2  
52 Cotton  2.1 2.2 2.2 2.1 1.9 1.9 2.0 1.7 
… … … … … … … … … 
Source:  WTO Secretariat calculations, based on UN Comtrade database.  
__________  
 
37 Contracting parties of the CPTPP include Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, Japan, 
Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, and Viet  Nam.  
38 Six other countries also ratified the CPTPP: Australia, Canad a, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, and 
Singapore.