1S5 



The three growing markets that are particularly significant are in East Asia, Mexico 

 jand Latin America and the Caribbean, and the vast potential of Eastern Europe and the 

 former Soviet Union. I can assure you that there is significant opportunity out there and 

 if we in this country don't fill it, someone else will. 



Let's look at Japan, Singapore, Indonesia and other Asian countries. In these areas 

 there are dynamic economics and a growing middle class that can afford more 

 sophisticated food products. Their lifestyle is changing dramatically. These people are 

 increasingly interested in ready-to-eat and easy-to-prepare food products. 



According to the FAS, sales of pre-cooked take-out food in Japan alone totaled $40.9 

 billion in 1991, and are expected to reach $95.2 billion by the year 2000. These figures 

 suggest that as more and more people in the Pacific Rim countries eat on the run, U.S. 

 food producers should give serious consideration to this expanding market. There is a 

 snack food diet revolution taking place in Asia. 



A similar picture of increased demand is clear in Mexico and by extension Latin 

 America. On a trade mission to Mexico with Maryland Governor William Donald Schaefer 

 this past July, I found that the Mexicans are particularly interested in our poultry and 

 processed food products. 



