GAIN reports

 

The following GAIN reports were released on September 19, 2024. _______     European Union: Tree Nuts Annual In 2023, the European Union (EU)-27 imported $6.5 billion in tree nuts from the world. The EU remains a net importer of tree nuts for all products as demand highly exceeds domestic production. The United States is the largest EU-27 tree nuts supplier, providing $2.4 billion worth of nuts, or 37 percent of total imports. Nuts continue to benefit from their positive image as a healthy snack and a good source of all macronutrients, including carbohydrates, healthy fats and protein. Consumers are also paying more attention to the origin of what they eat, seeking out locally grown products, including nuts. More eco-friendly production, packaging, and distribution are becoming more popular among European consumers, particularly in the northern countries.   New Zealand: Livestock and Products Annual FAS/Wellington 2025 market year production forecast would be the highest annual production on record, If realized. In addition, post is forecasting that beef and veal exports in 2025 to also be the highest volume for New Zealand in a single year. This is anticipated to be driven by continued higher importer beef demand in the United States. The New Zealand national cattle herd has been decreasing year-on-year at 1 percent annually. This is anticipated to continue despite a stabilization in numbers in 2024. A primary factor contributing to the decline in recent years has been government policy impacting agriculture and land-use change. At the end of 2023, New Zealand changed its national government. The new government supported farmers strongly, removing pending policies of the previous government. low farm profitability is causing delays in repairs and maintenance, capital improvements, and innovation, forcing farm operations to take on more debt.   Thailand: Rice Price - Weekly Rice export prices further dropped one percent from the previous week. The following GAIN reports were released on September 18, 2024. _______     Burma: How FAS Surveys Crops in Burma FAS Agricultural Specialist in Burma conducts crop surveys to prepare the Burma Grain and Feed reports and updates on the agricultural situation. This report describes how the FAS Agricultural Specialist performs crop surveys in Burma despite challenging political and economic conditions.   Chile: Tree Nuts Annual Post projects increased production in both walnuts and almonds in marketing year (MY) 2024/25 due to high yields caused by plentiful rainfall and favorable temperatures. Post estimates walnut production will reach 195,000 metric tons (MT) in MY 2024/25, a 11.4 percent increase year over year. Walnut exports will total 192,500 MT (in-shell basis), which represents a 12.1 percent increase over MY 2023/24. Meanwhile, walnut area planted is projected to increase only slightly, continuing a trend from recent years of stagnating growth. Producers have shifted to more profitable crops such as cherries, lemons, and mandarins, and because of changes in land use as urban areas continue to expand in the central area of the country. For almonds, Post projects that production will reach 11,500 MT for MY 2024/25, a 1.8 percent increase over MY 2023/24. Chilean almond exports will total 7,600 MT, a 4.1 percent increase over MY 2023/24.   China: National Food Safety Standard Sanitary Practices for the Production of Cooked Meat Products The National Health Commission (NHC) and the State Administration of Market Regulation (SAMR) published the National Food Safety Standard for “Sanitary Practices for The Production of Cooked Meat Products” (GB 19303-2023) on September 6, 2023. This Standard was implemented on September 6th, 2024. This Standard replaces GB 19303-2003 "Sanitary Practices of Cooked Meat Product Factories." This report contains an unofficial English translation of the Standard though interested parties are encouraged to undertake their own review of the original text.   India: Tree Nuts Annual For marketing year (MY) 2024/2025 (August-July), post forecasts India’s almond production marginally lower at 4,150 metric tons (MT) (shelled basis), compared to last MY estimates. For the same MY, post projects almond imports at 190,000 MT, up by six percent from the previous MY 2023/2024 estimates of 180,000 MT. Post is revising its earlier MY 2023/2024 import estimates to 180,000 MT based on the latest updated trade data. For MY 2024/2025 (September-August), post forecasts India’s walnut production at 33,200 MT (in-shell basis). For MY 2023/2024, post is revising its estimates lower at 33,000 MT as there were no seasonal rains in the state of Jammu and Kashmir, and soil degradation in the walnut regions has affected its production yield. For MY 2024/2025, post expects India’s walnut imports to reach 70,000 MT, a 17 percent increase from the previous MY estimates. India’s MY 2024/2025 (September – August) pistachio (in-shell basis) imports are forecast at 40,000 MT.   South Africa: The South African Animal Feed Industry The animal feed industry in South Africa is well established and highly scientific. Efficient formulations have enabled significant expansion of the livestock sector driven by a surge in local meat consumption. Today, the animal feed industry is generally self-sufficient with little imports of either animal feed products or raw material inputs of corn or soybeans. The future growth of the industry is largely dependent on the demand for animal products, and in particular feed intensive industries such as poultry, dairy and pork. The following GAIN reports were released on September 17, 2024. _______     Japan: Rice Supply Shortage Disrupts Consumers in Japan Throughout summer 2024, Japan has been grappling with a table rice shortage resulting in empty supermarket as demand outpaced production for the last three years causing stocks to deplete to their lowest levels in over 20 years. Demand for table rice also spiked in August, as consumers bought more rice than typical in preparation for natural disasters during Japan’s typhoon season and following a major earthquake warning. The Ministry of Agriculture assured the public that the arrival of the new crop will alleviate the shortage in September. On top of the 6.6 million tons of table rice produced for domestic consumption, Japan also produced 1.3 million tons of rice for other purposes such as for feed, processing and exports; however, because the majority of 1.3 million tons are produced with government subsidies, they cannot be diverted to table rice to meet increased demand.   Thailand: Rice Price - Weekly Rice export prices dropped 1-3 percent from the previous week despite the strengthening of the Thai baht.  The following GAIN reports were released on September 16, 2024. _______     European Union: Livestock and Products Annual Both EU beef and pork production, as well as exports, are forecast to temporarily increase this year. Beef production will increase because of high carcass and beef prices combined with an overall dim outlook for the sector, incentivizing farmers to slaughter their cattle. A major outlet for the elevated beef production is Turkey. Pork production will increase as a result of an ample supply of piglets combined with low feed prices. Domestic and export outlets for the additional pork production are limited, and as a consequence, prices are forecast to fall resulting in a lower production of pork next year.   Paraguay: Livestock and Products Annual Paraguayan beef exports in 2025 are forecast down at 450,000 tons carcass weight equivalent with an expected smaller beef supply after a very large slaughter in 2024. A severe drought in the western region forced many producers to send a greater number of cattle to market than previously planned. Local traders believe exports to the recently opened markets of the United States and Canada could increase as a result of the current strong demand in those markets. Paraguay is expected to be eligible to ship to Mexico sometime in 2025. The following GAIN reports were released on September 13, 2024. _______     European Union: Poultry and Products Annual Driven by strong internal demand, EU chicken meat production is expected to continue growing in 2024 and 2025. In 2025, Poland will remain the largest EU chicken meat producer, accounting for more than 22 percent of total EU production. The EU trade surplus in chicken meat is expected to increase as HPAI related bans are lifted and imports from Ukraine are increasingly constrained by EU policy and regulations.   France: Exporter Guide Annual In 2023, French food and agricultural imports from the United States reached $1 billion. While exporting to France can be challenging, there are many opportunities for U.S. suppliers. France is an important importer of U.S. fish and seafood, dried fruits and nuts, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, snacks and a variety of specialty foods including organic and kosher food products.     For more information, or for an archive of all FAS GAIN reports, please visit gain.fas.usda.gov/.