The following GAIN reports were released on July 18, 2023.

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Algeria: Grain and Feed Update

Sensory data shows another below average wheat crop in MY2023/24 due to ongoing drought and heat conditions in Algeria’s non-irrigated areas. Post forecasts MY2023/24 wheat imports at 8.7 million metric tons based on increased import demand.

Bangladesh: FAIRS Annual Country Report

The FAIRS Annual Country Report maintains the baseline information for Bangladesh as it relates to all food and feed. In addition to an overview of the Government of Bangladesh’s regulatory infrastructure and import control policies, this report includes FAS/Dhaka’s assessment of laws and requirements for food and agricultural products imposed on imports. This report is not meant to be a catalogue of all additive and pesticide regulations for all products nor an attempt to list all of the government’s food laws. For further information, please contact AgDhaka@usda.gov. Post has not made substantive changes to the report for 2023.

Canada: Retail Foods

Canada is the largest overseas market for U.S. high-value, consumer-oriented products, with exports reaching nearly $19.7 billion in 2022 – representing 24 percent of the total value of U.S. consumer-oriented exports worldwide, more than doubling the value of the next largest market. Canada's retail market is mature and largely consolidated, with five retailers comprising nearly 74 percent of the total retail grocery market. The remainder of the market is represented by smaller regional retail chains that include 6,900 independents and 27,000 small and independent convenience stores.

Japan: Opportunities Growing for Wine in Japan

This report highlights trends and recent statistics for U.S. origin wine imported into Japan, consumption trends, and opportunities for U.S. exporters. Now, in year five of the U.S.-Japan Trade Agreement (USJTA), tariffs are on the path to significant reductions for bottled wine, semi-bulk wine, and sparkling wine. Tariffs were eliminated altogether on bulk wines and fortified wines on April 1, 2023. In 2022, U.S. wine exports to Japan totaled $144 million and are the fifth largest supplier of wine to Japan.

South Africa: South Africa Issues New Draft Regulation on Food Labelling

On May 21, 2023, the South African Minister of Health issued a Government Notice (R.3337) inviting public comments on a draft regulation relating to the labelling and advertising of food products under the Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Disinfectants Act, 1972 (Act No.54 of 1972). The official deadline for the submission of comments or representation on the draft regulation to the South African Director General of Health is July 21, 2023. The draft regulation emphasizes that no person may manufacture, import, sell, donate, or offer for sale any pre-packed foodstuff, unless the products are labelled in accordance with the regulation. Information on the product’s label must be accurate regarding the character, origin, composition, quality, nutritive value, and time and place of manufacture. The regulation also specifies letter sizes on product labels, product description, the declaration of country of origin, and prohibited statements.

Opportunities for U.S. Agricultural Products in Singapore

Singapore imports more than 90 percent of its food and has a diverse, competitive array of trading partners. The United States and Singapore have a long-standing free trade agreement (FTA), and Singapore is a well-developed market for high-quality food and agricultural products. In 2022, the United States exported $1.4 billion worth of agricultural products to Singapore. The United States’ top agricultural exports to Singapore in 2022 were largely consumer-oriented products such as food preparations, dairy products, meat and meat products, potatoes, fresh fruit, and confectionary products. These and other consumer-oriented products, such as alcoholic beverages and pet food, have the potential for increased market share. Consumers in Singapore are affluent, technically savvy, and interested in healthy and innovative foodstuffs.

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USDA Accepting Applications for Agribusiness Trade Mission to Southeast Asia

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Alexis Taylor will lead an agribusiness trade mission to Malaysia and Singapore on Oct. 30-Nov. 3. USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service is now accepting applications from U.S. exporters who wish to participate in the trade mission.

“Malaysia and Singapore are important markets in our efforts to diversify prospects for U.S. food and agricultural exports in Southeast Asia. These markets provide both a source of stability for American exports and a tremendous opportunity to further expand U.S. trade in the region,” Taylor said. “Consumer demand for U.S. products in both Malaysia and Singapore are on the rise, making this agribusiness trade mission extremely timely. It gives U.S. exporters a wonderful opening to build and strengthen their relationships with local importers.”

Trade mission participants will travel to Kuala Lumpur and Singapore, connecting with key importers and learning first-hand from government and industry leaders about local market conditions. They will also take part in one-on-one meetings with potential customers and have the opportunity to visit local retail stores and food manufacturers to round out the program.

Malaysia relies on imports of many key agricultural products, including wheat, rice, protein meal, dairy products, beef, and most deciduous and citrus fruits. U.S. agricultural and related products exports to Malaysia reached $1.13 billion in 2022. Consumer-oriented products represent nearly half of the total U.S. food and agriculture exports to Malaysia, reflecting growing consumer demand and the burgeoning food service sector. Other U.S. products, including soybeans, processed fruits and, vegetables, tree nuts, and prepared foods also remain popular in the country. Malaysia is a major food processing hub, re-exporting throughout Southeast Asia and beyond.

Singapore is an important logistical hub, hosting headquarters for many key buyers of agricultural and food products in the Asia-Pacific region. U.S. agricultural exports to Singapore grew 190 percent from 2012 to 2022, reaching a record $1.4 billion in 2022. Small and highly urbanized, Singapore depends on food imports from a wide variety of suppliers. Singapore classifies as a high-income country, providing a sophisticated market for many U.S. consumer-oriented products.

For additional information about this and other USDA trade missions, visit https://fas.usda.gov/topics/trade-missions.

To apply for the Southeast Asia agribusiness trade mission. The application deadline is August 2.

USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. In the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy, and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit www.usda.gov.

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USDA Acepta Solicitudes para Misión Comercial de Agronegocios al Sudeste Asiático

El subsecretario de Comercio y Asuntos Agrícolas Exteriores del Departamento de Agricultura de EE. UU., Alexis Taylor, encabezará una misión comercial de agronegocios a Malasia y Singapur del 30 de octubre al 3 de noviembre. 3. El Servicio Agrícola Exterior del USDA está aceptando solicitudes de exportadores estadounidenses que deseen participar en la misión comercial.

“Malasia y Singapur son mercados importantes en nuestros esfuerzos por diversificar las perspectivas de las exportaciones agrícolas y de alimentos de EE. UU. en el sudeste asiático. Estos mercados brindan tanto una fuente de estabilidad para las exportaciones estadounidenses como una gran oportunidad para expandir aún más el comercio estadounidense en la región”, dijo Taylor. “La demanda de los consumidores de productos estadounidenses tanto en Malasia como en Singapur está aumentando, lo que hace que esta misión comercial de agronegocios sea extremadamente oportuna. Brinda a los exportadores estadounidenses una oportunidad maravillosa para construir y fortalecer sus relaciones con los importadores locales”.

Los participantes de la misión comercial viajarán a Kuala Lumpur y Singapur, se conectarán con importadores clave y aprenderán de primera mano del gobierno y los líderes de la industria sobre las condiciones del mercado local. También participarán en reuniones individuales con clientes potenciales y tendrán la oportunidad de visitar tiendas minoristas locales y fabricantes de alimentos para completar el programa.

Malasia depende de las importaciones de muchos productos agrícolas clave, incluidos el trigo, el arroz, las harinas proteicas, los productos lácteos, la carne de res y la mayoría de las frutas caducifolias y cítricas. Las exportaciones de productos agrícolas y productos relacionados de EE. UU. a Malasia alcanzaron los $ 1130 millones en 2022. Los productos orientados al consumidor representan casi la mitad del total de las exportaciones de alimentos y productos agrícolas de EE. UU. a Malasia, lo que refleja la creciente demanda de los consumidores y el floreciente sector de servicios alimentarios. Otros productos estadounidenses, como la soja, las frutas y verduras procesadas , los frutos secos y los alimentos preparados ~~, también siguen siendo populares en el país. Malasia es un importante centro de procesamiento de alimentos, que reexporta a todo el sudeste asiático y más allá.~~

Singapur es un importante centro logístico que alberga la sede de muchos compradores clave de productos agrícolas y alimentarios en la región de Asia y el Pacífico. Las exportaciones agrícolas de EE. UU. a Singapur crecieron un 190 % entre 2012 y 2022, alcanzando un récord de 1400 millones de dólares en 2022. Pequeño y muy urbanizado, Singapur depende de las importaciones de alimentos de una amplia variedad de proveedores. Singapur se clasifica como un país de altos ingresos y ofrece un mercado sofisticado para muchos productos estadounidenses orientados al consumidor.

Para obtener información adicional sobre esta y otras misiones comerciales del USDA, visite https://fas.usda.gov/topics/trade-missions .

Para solicitar la misión comercial de agronegocios del sudeste asiático . La fecha límite de solicitud es el 2 de agosto.

USDA toca la vida de todos los estadounidenses cada día de muchas maneras positivas. En la Administración Biden-Harris, el USDA está transformando el sistema alimentario de Estados Unidos con un mayor enfoque en una producción local y regional de alimentos más resistente, mercados más justos para todos los productores, asegurando el acceso a alimentos seguros, saludables y nutritivos en todas las comunidades, construyendo nuevos mercados y flujos de ingresos para agricultores y productores que utilizan prácticas forestales y alimentarias climáticamente inteligentes, realizan inversiones históricas en infraestructura y capacidades de energía limpia en las zonas rurales de Estados Unidos, y se comprometen con la equidad en todo el Departamento mediante la eliminación de barreras sistémicas y la creación de una fuerza laboral más representativa de Estados Unidos. Para obtener más información, visite www.usda.gov .

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Opportunities for U.S. Food Processing Ingredient Exports to Malaysia

Malaysia was the 26th-largest export destination for U.S. agricultural products in 2022, totaling nearly $1.1 billion in value, and is a top prospect for exports of food and beverage ingredients because of its large and growing food processing industry. Food and beverages manufactured in Malaysia not only serve domestic consumers but are also exported to many neighboring countries. U.S. exports of dairy products, fresh and processed potatoes, food-grade soy, processed fruit and juices, tree nuts, and more have many opportunities to supply the Malaysian food processing sector, which depends on imports for key ingredients and inputs, and in doing so reach consumers across Malaysia and throughout Southeast Asia.