USDA update

 

The following GAIN reports were released on August 1, 2024. _______     Brazil: Brazil Unveils 2024-25 Crop Plan with Funds for the Upcoming Agricultural Season The Government of Brazil (GoB) announced a nominal record in funds for 2024/25 Crop Plan, the main agricultural credit and financing public policy, at R$ 475.5 billion (US$ 88.2 billion). While this year’s funds set a record in nominal terms, nine percent higher than the 2023/24 Crop Plan valued at R$ 435.8 billion (US$ 80.9 billion), agricultural sector representatives deemed the funds insufficient to support farmers struggling with challenging market conditions, such as falling international commodities prices and high production costs. With the Brazilian Real (R$) having devaluated by nearly 11 percent against the U.S. dollar over one year, the 2024/25 Crop Plan values converted to U.S. dollars are two percent below last year’s.   China: Draft National Food Safety Standard Food Additive Acorn Shell Brown Notified to WTO On July 11, 2024, China notified the draft National Food Safety Standard for the Food Additive Acorn Shell Brown to the World Trade Organization (WTO) under G/SPS/N/CHN/1309. China’s SPS Enquiry Point at sps@customs.gov.cn will accept comments until September 9, 2024. This report provides an unofficial translation of the draft standard. Stakeholders should conduct their own review of the standard and provide comments as necessary.   China: Draft National Food Safety Standard Code of Practice for Prevention and Reduction of Lead Contamination in Foods Notified to WTO On July 11, 2024, China notified a new National Food Safety Standard Code of Practice for the Prevention and Reduction of Lead Contamination in Foods to the World Trade Organization (WTO) under G/SPS/N/CHN/1312. China’s SPS Enquiry Point at sps@customs.gov.cn will accept comments until September 9, 2024. This report provides an unofficial translation of the draft standard. Stakeholders should conduct their own review of the standard and provide comments as necessary.   Ecuador: FAIRS Export Certificate Report Annual This report identifies Ecuador’s import requirements for foreign export certificates, highlighting current procedures and identifying the relevant local agencies with oversight over these issues. An export certificate matrix and outline is included. This report supplements the FAS Quito Food and Agricultural Import Regulations (FAIRS) Country Annual 2024 report.   Taiwan: Stone Fruit Annual Taiwan is a mature market for U.S. fruits. Among stone fruits, Taiwan produces peaches domestically but does not produce nectarines or cherries. Fruit consumption in Taiwan remains consistent, with stable demand for cherries. However, the long-term demand for peach/nectarine continues to show a declining trend. Despite a slight increase in domestic production, the decrease in import volume is more significant last year. Chile has become the primary supplier of nectarines (87% market share), reducing the U.S. market share to only 10%. In Marketing Year (MY) 2023, Taiwan imported a total of 10,776 MT of peaches and nectarines, and 12,268 MT of cherries. Due to factors such as reduced supply from the United States, a strong U.S. dollar, and increased freight costs, prices for peaches, nectarines, and cherries have all risen by at least 10% this year. For MY2024, Post estimates that peach and nectarine consumption will decline to 27,500 MT while cherry consumption is expected to fall to 11,800 MT.   Ukraine: FAIRS Export Certificate Report Annual No new bilateral certificates were negotiated from the second half of 2023 through the first half of 2024. The Export Certificate Matrix includes only bilaterally negotiated certificates. In 2021, Ukraine introduced generic certificates for products of animal origin and sample certificates for live animals and reproductive materials. These certificates can be endorsed by the exporting country’s authorities without additional negotiations. The lists of generic and sample import certificates were added to the report as an attachment. Instructions for exporters of FDA-regulated products has been added as a separate attachment.     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 July 31, 2024. _______     Bangladesh: FAIRS Country Report Annual The FAIRS Annual Country Report contains baseline information for Bangladesh as it relates to agricultural and food products. In addition to an overview of the Government of Bangladesh’s regulatory infrastructure on production and import control policies this report includes FAS/Dhaka’s assessment of laws and requirements for food and agricultural imports. For further information, please contact AgDhaka@usda.gov. Post has made substantive changes in Section V, VIII, and IX.   Egypt: FAIRS Country Report Annual This report is an annual update on the food import standards and enforcement mechanisms in Egypt. It includes updates on importer registration procedures, halal certification requirements, and shelf-life validity periods, among other standards and regulations. For assistance on trade policy and port issues in Egypt, U.S. exporters are encouraged to contact FAS Cairo at AgCairo@usda.gov.   Israel: FAIRS Country Report Annual The Government of Israel is in the process of a legislation reform across multiple ministries, including reforms related to food. If the reforms are passed in the Israeli parliament, the reform will continue to adopt numerous European Union food standards with some exclusions. As of the publication of this report, the current Health Protection Act (Food) remains the primary regulation for trade with Israel. Small changes in the legislation have been made in the past year, such as the Country-of-Origin labeling.   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 July 30, 2024.

_______

 

 

Bangladesh: FAIRS Export Certificate Report Annual

This report outlines the technical requirements and certificates for exporting food and agricultural products to Bangladesh. Post has made changes to Sections, I, II, and IV.

 

China: Draft National Food Safety Standard for Cakes and Bread Notified to WTO

On July 11, 2024, China notified draft National Food Safety Standard for Cakes and Bread to the World Trade Organization (WTO) under G/SPS/N/CHN/1304. China’s SPS Enquiry Point at sps@customs.gov.cn will accept comments until September 9, 2024. This report provides an unofficial translation of the draft standard. Stakeholders should conduct their own review of the standard and provide comments as necessary.

 

China: Draft National Food Safety Standard for Dried Fruit and Dried Vegetable Notified to WTO

On July 11, 2024, China notified draft National Food Safety Standard Dried Fruit and Dried Vegetable to the World Trade Organization (WTO) under G/SPS/N/CHN/1302. China’s SPS Enquiry Point at sps@customs.gov.cn will accept comments until September 9, 2024. This report provides an unofficial translation of the draft standard. Stakeholders should conduct their own review of the standard and provide comments as necessary.

 

China: Draft National Food Safety Standard Code of Practice for Reduction of 3-MCPDEs and GEs in Refined Oils and Food Products made with Refined Oils Notified to WTO

On July 11, 2024, China notified draft National Food Safety Standard Code of Practice for Reduction of 3-Monochloropropane-1, 2-Diol Esters (3-MCPDEs) and Glycidyl Esters (GEs) in Refined Oils and Food Products made with Refined Oils to the World Trade Organization (WTO) under G/SPS/N/CHN/1310. China’s SPS Enquiry Point at sps@customs.gov.cn will accept comments until September 9, 2024. This report provides an unofficial translation of the draft standard. Stakeholders should conduct their own review of the standard and provide comments as necessary.

 

China: Section 301 Tariff Exclusions Extended Through February 2025

On July 23, 2024, the State Council Tariff Commission (SCTC) announced the extension of Section 301 retaliatory tariff exclusions on 12 agricultural tariff lines, notably certain logs/lumber, whey for feed use, fishmeal for feed use, and alfalfa through February 28, 2025. The 12 agricultural tariff lines are part of a list of 95 commodities which were scheduled to have their Section 301 tariff exclusions end on July 31, 2024. This is the fifteenth extension of tariff exclusions for different lists of commodities with various exclusion periods. This report contains an unofficial translation of the SCTC announcement and a list of agricultural products subject to the tariff exclusion.

 

Ecuador: FAIRS Country Report Annual

This report outlines Ecuador’s requirements for food and agricultural product imports. It is a guide to the regulations that exporters need to consider in order for their products to enter the Ecuadorian market. Hyperlinks to ministries, agencies, and legal documents are provided throughout this report. This report reflects updated regulations recently issued, including the implementing regulation of the 2022 dairy law.

 

Kazakhstan: FAIRS Country Report Annual

This report is an overview of the general legal and technical requirements for food and agricultural imports imposed by Kazakhstan. Since the 2023 FAIRS Report was published, there have been no major updates to Kazakhstani food and agricultural import regulations and standards. Section X includes information on the newly launched online "Kazakhstan Trade Portal" outlining required processes for importing, exporting, and transiting products to and from Kazakhstan.

 

Kazakhstan: FAIRS Export Certificate Report Annual

This report highlights export certification requirements for Kazakhstan. Please note that certification requirements may continue to change as Kazakhstan reforms its standards and regulations to meet Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and World Trade Organization (WTO) commitments. Exporters are advised to verify export certification requirements with their importer before shipment. There have been no updates to export certification requirements since June 2023.

The following GAIN reports were released on July 28 and July 29, 2024

_______

 

 

Colombia: Biofuels Annual

Colombia’s ethanol consumption in 2024 is projected to increase to 728 million liters, mainly owing to the government’s restored 10 percent ethanol mandate (E10). Heightened ethanol demand is expected to be met through imports, primarily from the United States, despite the countervailing duty on U.S. fuel ethanol. Colombia’s ethanol production is anticipated to decline in 2024 due to unfavorable weather conditions that will stagnate cane yields as well as the sugar industry’s continued prioritization of cane sugar production over ethanol due to favorable market prices. Biodiesel consumption will continue its upward trajectory in 2024, reaching 801 million liters and supplied solely by local production. The Colombian government removed gasoline fuel subsidies in September 2022. Diesel subventions have remained but gradual removal will start in August 2024. The Colombian government is expected to continue its ethanol and biodiesel blend mandates at 10 percent levels.

 

Egypt: FAIRS Export Certificate Report Annual

This report outlines Egypt’s requirements for import permits and export certificates for agricultural products intended for human and animal consumption. It also provides a list of the Egyptian government agencies involved in the entry of imported food products. For assistance on trade policy and port issues in Egypt, U.S. exporters are encouraged to contact FAS Cairo at AgCairo@usda.gov.

 

 

For more information, or for an archive of all FAS GAIN reports, please visit gain.fas.usda.gov/.

USDA Trade Mission to Expand Market Access, Ag Exports in Colombia

WASHINGTON, July 29, 2024 – U.S. Department of Agriculture Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Alexis M. Taylor will lead 24 U.S. agribusinesses and organizations on a trade mission to Bogota, Colombia, Aug. 13-15, to boost American agricultural exports and build upon the successes of the U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement.

“Colombia is a significant growth market for U.S. agricultural exports. As Latin America’s third-most-populous country, it features an expanding middle class and rising consumer purchasing power,” said Taylor. “Colombian consumers are hungry for the world-class food and agricultural products that the U.S. offers, and I am excited to see how this mission expands bilateral trade and provides new opportunities for U.S. agriculture.”

In 2023, U.S. agricultural exports to Colombia reached a record $3.7 billion. Colombia ranks as the seventh-largest market for U.S. agricultural exports, while the United States is the top export market for Colombia’s agricultural products. Colombia’s gross domestic product is expected to continue growing and remain slightly higher than the regional average, setting the table for continued interest in U.S. products.

U.S. food and farm products are highly sought after in the Colombian market. A growing number of two-income households means consumers are increasingly interested in packaged and prepared foods, while substantial regulatory changes in packaging and taxes on products high in sugar, salt and saturated fats are helping drive demand for healthy foods.

While in Colombia, trade mission delegates will participate in business-to-business meetings with potential customers and policy discussions that will help build on the strong trade ties forged by the U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement.

Joining Under Secretary Taylor on the trade mission will be officials from the Mississippi, Wisconsin and Texas departments of agriculture, as well leaders from the following businesses and organizations representing the diversity of U.S. agriculture:

1. Aero-Cos International, Marlboro, N.J.
2. American Commodity Company, LLC, Williams, Calif.
3. Ampac Seed Company, Tangent, Ore.
4. Bard Valley Date Growers, Yuma, Calif.
5. Beaver Street Fisheries, Jacksonville, Fla.
6. Best Buy Grocers, Inc., Seattle, Wash.
7. Butterball, LLC., Garner, N.C.
8. Erratic Oaks Vineyard dba Citation Wines and Centerstone Wines, Issaquah, Wash.
9. Estrada Foods Brokerage, Miami, Fla.
10. Eurosemillas, S.A. – Green Motion Avocados, Riverside, Calif.
11. Exclusive Brand Marketing, Miami, Fla.
12. Feast Global, Ocean Springs, Miss.
13. FSD International, Atlanta, Ga.
14. Hoogwegt U.S., Inc., Lake Forest, Ill.
15. Ice Cream Factory, Lebanon, Mich.
16. Lamex Food, Inc., Bloomington, Minn.
17. Lead (USA) Global Group, LLC., Monterey Park, Calif.
18. Midwest Premier Foods, Johnston, Iowa
19. National Swine Registry, West Lafayette, Ind.
20. River Global, Washington, DC
21. The Neil Jones Food Company, Vancouver, Wash.
22. Trim-Rite & Rantoul Foods, Carpentersville, Ill.
23. Tuxedo Farms / Tuxedo Corn Co., LLC., Olathe, Colo.
24. U.S. Dry Bean Council, Portland, Ore.

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

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 https://www.usda.gov.

###

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.