USDA, Foreign Agricultural Service,update

 

The following GAIN reports were released on March 14, 2024. _______   Argentina: Oilseeds and Products Update Post lowers marketing year (MY) 2023/2024 production to 49.5 million metric tons (MMT), still nearly double last year’s crop, based on a stretch of dry and hot weather in the major production areas despite previous ideal rains following planting. Argentina’s soy crush was up 12 percent in January 2024 despite low stocks due to the disastrous crop the previous year. Sunflower production in MY2023/2024 is revised down to 3.5 MMT on lower planted area and yields. China: Draft National Food Safety Standard of General Principles for the Labeling of Prepackaged Foods Notified to WTO On February 9 and February 12, 2024, China notified the revised draft National Food Safety Standard of General Principles for the Labeling of Prepackaged Foods to the World Trade Organization (WTO) under G/SPS/N/CHN/1295 and under G/TBT/N/CHN/1827. The proposed date of entry into force is to be determined. This revised draft National Food Safety Standard closely mirrors the recently released draft letter from the Secretariat of the National Food Safety Standard Review Committee analyzed in FAS GAIN Report CH 2024-0021. This report explains the minor modifications between the two drafts and provides an unofficial translation of the draft standard notified to WTO. Stakeholders should conduct their own review of the regulation. China: China Imported Live Seafood Products Market Update  The People's Republic of China (PRC) is one of the largest producers and consumers of seafood in the world. In particular, live seafood products represent a significant market opportunity given the United States advanced cold chain facilities and ability to transport live seafood. This report details the distribution channels for live seafood in China, potential market opportunities, and updates for 2024. Rwanda: Rwanda Passes New Biosafety Law On February 21, 2024, The Government of Rwanda (GoR) published a new biosafety law providing requirements for the transit and utilization of living modified organisms (LMOs) produced through modern biotechnology techniques. This law enters effect immediately.   For more information, or for an archive of all FAS GAIN reports, please visit gain.fas.usda.gov/.