Selected country raisin and sultana exports are forecast to fall 13 percent in 1996/97. Sharp decreases in exports from Turkey, Chile and Mexico will likely more than offset higher shipments from South Africa and the United States. Chile's raisin exports are forecast to decrease by 39 percent, based on a significantly smaller raisin pack. Although still 23 percent below the previous year's export volume, Turkey's 1996/97 raisin export forecast has been revised upward, Mexican raisin exports are forecast to drop 54 percent to only 6,000, tons also based on a smaller raisin pack, U.S. exports, however, are forecast to increase 3 percent in 1996/97 based on higher than expected shipments to date. Japan and the United Kingdom are the top two U.S. markets. U.S. ending stocks for 1996/97 are forecast to be drawn down by more than 50 percent based on the smaller domestic raisin production combined with strong export and domestic demand.
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