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The following GAIN reports were released on May 23, 2024. _______   Brazil: Brazil Temporarily Removes Rice Import Tariffs  The Brazilian Government announced the elimination of import taxes on paddy rice (100610), husked/brown rice (100620), and milled rice (100630) for all countries. This measure is aimed at preventing potential supply issues and ensuring the replenishment of public rice stocks following the floods in the state of Rio Grande do Sul (RGDS). The zero-tariff measure will be effective from May 21, 2024, until December 31, 2024.   Bulgaria: Comprehensive Trade Data Shows Bulgaria as Growing Market for US Agriculture In 2023, Bulgarian imports from the United States surpassed the $100 million mark for the first time. The growth was due to a substantial increase in Bulgarian imports of U.S. beef, tree and ground nuts, food preparation, whiskies, animal feed, and wood. The U.S. Census Bureau’s exports data tracks U.S. food and agricultural trade shipped directly to Bulgaria. However, it does not measure the substantial level of U.S. agricultural trade to Bulgaria routed through Western European ports of entry. According to U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. suppliers exported $32.5 million of U.S. food, beverages and agricultural products to Bulgaria in 2023, a growth of 28 percent compared to 2022. However, when including indirect shipments, the total number rises above $100 million. A previous version of this report used some incorrect U.S. export data and this has now been corrected.   Spain: Favorable Spring Conditions Promise a Sizeable Grain Crop in Spain Following three consecutive seasons of tight supply, favorable fall and winter conditions have been followed by abundant spring precipitation across Spain, with the notable exception of the eastern part of the country. The combination of farmers’ decisions to maximize their more drought-resilient winter grains plantings, improved soil moisture, and mild spring temperatures are expected to result in an upward revision of the Spanish total grain crop, currently estimated at 21 million MT.   Ukraine: Sugar Annual MY2024/25 sugar production is forecast at 1.8 MMT, similar to FAS/Kyiv's previous MY estimate. Sugar beet production area will remain steady across MY2023/24 and MY2024/25, which could be an indicator that the sugar industry is adjusting to a “new normal.” Sugar exports are growing, fueled by a combination of decreased domestic consumption, increasing prices on foreign markets, and large domestic stocks. The European Union (EU) became the major market for Ukrainian sugar in MY2022/23 and is expected to remain in this role in MY2023/24. The EU extended its suspension of import duties and quotas on Ukrainian exports until June 2025, while introducing an emergency brake mechanism for several sensitive products, including sugar.   For more information, or for an archive of all FAS GAIN reports, please visit gain.fas.usda.gov/. The following GAIN reports were released on May 21, 2024. _______ Brazil: Opportunities for Tree Nut Exports to Brazil The report provides a comprehensive analysis of the tree nut market in Brazil, highlighting significant opportunities for U.S. exporters. With a growing consumer focus on health and lifestyle, the demand for nutritious nuts like pistachios, walnuts, and almonds, is rising. The report details current market conditions, challenges, regulatory and competitive landscapes, trade analysis, consumer insights, and distribution channels.   China: Dairy and Products Semi-annual Post increased its estimate of raw milk production in 2024 due to a larger dairy cow inventory. Imports of fluid milk, whole milk powder (WMP), and skimmed milk powder (SMP) are estimated to all decline in 2024 due to higher domestic milk production. Cheese and butter imports are estimated to decline moderately because of economic headwinds that continue influencing consumption. Post estimates whey and whey product imports in 2024 to decline as demand shrinks in both food use and feed use owing to declining birth rates and a lower piglet inventory.   Hong Kong: The Hong Kong Wonton - Volume 4 Issue 8 Bite size local news, Post reports and activity summaries wrapped by ATO Hong Kong. In this issue: Baking Seminar Charms Student Chefs With U.S. Ingredients; Hong Kong Economy On Track For Fifth Straight Quarter Of Moderate Growth; Hong Kong March Retail Sales Down 7 Percent; Hong Kong To Sign 20 Cooperation Documents With Shanghai; Macau Trade Down 7 Percent in First Quarter of 2024; Bad Weather And Weaker Yuan Cast Cloud Over Hong Kong Golden Week; 70 Percent Of Local SMEs Report A Decline In Performance; Galaxy To Add Ultra-luxury Capella Hotel In 2025; Hong Kong 7-Eleven Stores Confused Over Plastics Ban; Hong Kong Suspends Imports of Poultry Meat and Products from Three U.S. Counties and Areas in Japan; Can Hong Kong Cultivate Its Agriculture and Fisheries Sectors?   For more information, or for an archive of all FAS GAIN reports, please visit gain.fas.usda.gov/. The following GAIN reports were released on May 20, 2024. _______ Colombia: Coffee Annual In MY 2024/2025, Colombian coffee production is anticipated to reach 12.4 million bags of green bean equivalent (GBE). However, the pace of production recovery is hindered by El Niño, which has led to increased rates of borer infestation and affected some crops. A compensation mechanism has been established to provide direct financial assistance to coffee growers. Meanwhile, Colombian coffee exports are expected to rise to 12 million bags GBE in MY 2024/2025, with the United States maintaining its status as a key export destination.   Honduras: Coffee Annual Honduras coffee production is expected to reach 5.5 million 60-kilogram bags in marketing year 2023/24, a twenty-four percent decrease from the previous year. The decrease in coffee production is attributed to high incidence of coffee rust and ongoing labor shortage domestically, as well as the five percent decrease in the international coffee price due to an expected production recovery in Brazil. Consequently, MY2023/24 export forecast is 5 million bags, down 6 percent versus MY2022/23 (5.3 million 60-kilogram nags).   Japan: Japan 260th Food Safety Group The Consumer Affairs Agency (CAA) of Japan proposed revisions to Japan’s maximum residue levels for seven agricultural chemicals (Benthiavalicarb-isopropyl, Hexaconazole, Isopyrazam, Metaflumizone, Broflanilide, Teflubenzuron, and Phenoxyethanol) for various agricultural commodities. In addition, the CAA proposed revisions to the Positive List of synthetic resin used for Apparatus, Containers and Packaging (ACP). Interested U.S. parties should submit their comments to PlantDivision@usda.gov for plant products, TFAA.FAS.AnimalDivision@usda.gov for animal products, and PPTRD@usda.gov for processed products by May 22, 2024 for MRL revisions and by June 30, 2024 for the Positive List for synthetic resin.   Mexico: Dairy and Products Semi-annual Mexico’s milk, cheese, and butter production are forecast year on year growth of two percent in 2024. Dairy farmers are expected to mitigate the impacts of prolonged drought and heat conditions with previously stored forage, increased feed grain imports, and water storage mechanisms. Cheese and butter imports are forecast to increase based on more domestic demand. Overall, milk powder imports are forecast to increase driven by demand from the dairy processing industry and for reconstitution into fluid milk for social programs.   Nicaragua: Coffee Annual FAS/Managua anticipates coffee production in marketing year 2024/25 to rebound to 2.6 million 60-kilogram bags, as a return to average precipitation levels should support historical average yields. However, Nicaraguan coffee growers face global structural headwinds in marketing year 2024/25 on top of tight labor supplies needed to bring in the hand-picked coffee harvest. Dry conditions, reduced production, and delayed harvesting – all associated with the 2023 El Niño weather system – reduced overall coffee production in marketing year 2023/24 by ten percent.   Peru: Coffee Annual Peru's coffee production and exports look to continue their recent growth trends and are expected to increase seven and six percent, respectively, in marketing year (MY) 2024/25. Production is forecast to reach 4.22 million 60-kilogram bags in MY 2024/2025, while exports are forecast at 4.07 million bags. High international coffee prices are encouraging producers to invest in fertilizers and harvest more thoroughly. Consumption is also forecast to continue expanding, increasing four percent from the previous marketing year to 240,000 bags in MY 2024/25. The United States remained the top market for Peruvian coffee in MY 2023/24, accounting for 28 percent of total exports.   For more information, or for an archive of all FAS GAIN reports, please visit gain.fas.usda.gov/. USDA Recruiting U.S. Exporters for September Trade Mission to Vietnam  WASHINGTON, May 20, 2024 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service is accepting applications from current and potential U.S. exporters for a trade mission to Vietnam, Sept. 9-13, 2024. Participants will attend events in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, and will also have the opportunity to engage with visiting buyers from Burma (Myanmar), Cambodia and Thailand. “Markets in Southeast Asia hold immense opportunity for U.S. exporters,” said USDA Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Alexis M. Taylor. “In 2023, the United States exported $3.1 billion of agricultural products to Vietnam, maintaining a sizable market share across several food and ag-related categories, including cotton, dairy, distillers grains, fresh fruit, poultry, soybeans and tree nuts. Through the Vietnam trade mission, as well as new efforts with the Regional Agricultural Promotion Program and the Assisting Specialty Crop Exports initiative, USDA is confident that we can continue to help U.S. exporters grow and diversify their markets in Southeast Asia and boost economic returns for America’s farmers, ranchers and agribusinesses.” Trade mission participants will begin the week in Ho Chi Minh City and end it in Hanoi, connecting with key importers for business-to-business meetings and learning about local and regional market conditions through site visits and briefings by FAS staff, industry experts and government officials. To apply to participate in the mission, and to learn more about export opportunities in Vietnam and the Southeast Asia region, please click here. Applications must be submitted by Tuesday, June 4. 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. ### USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

Celebrating World Trade Week – and U.S. Agriculture’s Trade Successes May is World Trade Month and this is World Trade Week – a perfect opportunity to celebrate U.S. agriculture’s trade successes and highlight the importance of trade to the farm sector and to our nation as whole. After all, about 20 percent of all U.S. agricultural production is exported, providing a critical source of farm income, supporting more than a million jobs, and generating nearly $200 billion in additional economic activity each year in our rural communities and beyond.  Under the Biden-Harris Administration, U.S. agricultural exports have grown significantly, posting the three highest years in history in 2021-2023. And USDA remains committed to tapping more, new and better global market opportunities for our producers and agribusinesses through our trade policy and market development work. Please click here to read more >>