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The following GAIN reports were released on January 22, 2025. _______
China: Grain and Feed UpdateIn MY 2024/25, the PRC’s grain output is estimated to reach a record 706.5 million metric tons (MMT), a 1.6 percent increase driven by expanded acreage and higher yields. Corn production is forecast to rise 2 percent to 294.9 MMT with more high-yield varieties, while wheat and rice are forecast to grow to 140.1 MMT and 145.3 MMT, respectively. Lower corn prices boosted corn’s use in feed and industrial applications, reducing reliance on wheat and rice. The corn import forecast is lowered to 14 MMT, while wheat imports are expected to fall 37 percent due to strong domestic production. Driven by demand in regions near India and with an end to India's export restrictions, rice imports are forecast to increase.
Croatia: FAIRS Export Certificate Report AnnualThis report provides information on agricultural product export certificates required by the Government of Croatia and was updated as of November 2024.
Germany: Organic Store Brands Drive Recovery of German Organic MarketAfter organic sales declined in 2022, demand began to recover in 2023 and is estimated to continue to have grown moderately in 2024, largely due to decreasing inflation and increasing availability of low-cost store brands. Organic-only retailers are no longer the primary distribution channel, with most sales generated by full-range (organic and non-organic supermarkets, such as EDEKA and REWE) retailers. Discount supermarkets (such as Lidl or ALDI) and drug stores also played a large role in sales because German consumers were still wary of spending following years of very high inflation. Although sales increased in 2023, the number of organic farms in Germany decreased for the first time in 30 years. Organic exports from the United States continue to be volatile. South Africa: Grain and Feed UpdatePost’s corn crop estimate for South Africa for marketing year 2024/25 has been marginally lowered due to a reduced expected planting area. The production season started slowly with sporadic rainfall in October 2024 and a heatwave in November 2024, but conditions improved with continuous rainfall from mid-December. South Africa should maintain its status as a net exporter of corn in marketing year 2024/25, though sufficient rainfall for rest of the season will be a necessity to realize optimal yields. Despite tight stock levels, South Africa is continuing to export corn to neighboring countries where the demand is high, pushing local corn prices to record levels and creating a situation where imports are necessary to support domestic corn consumption demands. The first shipment of U.S. corn arrived in South Africa after the genetically engineered asynchronous approval issues were resolved late last year.
Taiwan: Taiwan MOA Comprehensive Upgrade Plan for the Grains IndustryOn December 23, 2024, the Taiwan Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) announced the “Comprehensive Upgrade Plan for the Grains Industry”. MOA’s plan calls for raising the guided purchase price for rice (the mid-tier purchase price) by NT$1.5/kg and increase its procurement volume. The rice procurement price was last raised in 2011. The announcement is expected to incentivize farmers to deliver more to the public procurement program. United Kingdom: UK Imposes Foot and Mouth Restrictions on GermanyFollowing confirmation of Foot and Mouth Disease in Germany, the United Kingdom (UK) government has taken immediate unilateral action to mitigate against the risk or it spreading to Great Britain (England, Wales, and Scotland). The UK has suspended import of commodities from Germany including live ungulates and their germplasm, fresh meat from ungulates, meat products from ungulates, milk and animal by-products unless treated to mitigate FMD risk. Further safeguard measures restricting the commercial import to the UK of animal by-products, hay, and straw from Germany, unless treated to effectively mitigate the risk of FMD, are expected to be published shortly.
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 January 21, 2025.
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Australia: Grain and Feed Update
Australian wheat and barley producers faced challenges during difficult seasonal conditions in most major production regions. Given the circumstances, overall wheat and barley production is estimated to respectively reach the third and fifth-largest levels on record. Wheat exports are forecast to reach the fourth-highest on record, rising by 26 percent to 24 million metric tons (MMT) for MY 2024/25, and barley exports are forecast at 5.5 MMT. Sorghum and rice producers are experiencing highly favorable production conditions in MY 2024/25. Sorghum production is forecast at 2.2 MMT, similar to the prior year, almost all of which will be exported. Rice production is forecast at 375,000 metric tons (MT), a decline of 16 percent from the prior year estimate. Conditions favored a bigger planted area of rice, but industry intervened prior to planting to target a smaller level of production. Australia is forecast to be a net importer of rice in MY 2024/25, with imports of 260,000 MT and 230,000 MT of exports.
Canada: Canada Consults on Guidelines for Environmental Claims - Greenwashing
Building upon initial consultations held in summer 2024, Canada’s Competition Bureau seeks public comments on new guidelines regarding environmental claims. Interested stakeholders have until February 28, 2025, to send their comments.
China: Central Rural Work Conference Directs 2025 Major Agricultural Priorities
The Communist Party of China’s (CPC) annual Central Rural Work Conference (CRWC) was held on December 17-18, 2024. This annual meeting sets overarching guidelines for the PRC’s agriculture sector and for rural development. According to information released following the meeting, there were no major changes in overall policy direction for 2025, but details emerged regarding previously stated policy directions. Information suggests that CPC leadership reiterated the importance of building PRC capacity to produce grains and major agricultural products to support food security efforts. The CRWC report indicated the PRC will continue efforts to raise the quality and usage of arable land, encourage the adoption of new agricultural technologies, and support rural incomes and improve the quality of life in rural areas.
China: Phytosanitary Requirements for Imported Plant-Derived Fertilizers
On January 7, 2025, The People's Republic of China (PRC) notified Phytosanitary Requirements for Imported Plant-derived Fertilizers to the World Trade Organization (WTO) under G/SPS/N/CHN/1323. The PRC’s SPS Enquiry Point at sps@customs.gov.cn will accept comments until March 8, 2025. The proposed date of entry into force is July 1, 2025. This report provides an unofficial translation of the requirements. Stakeholders should conduct their own review of the regulation.
Colombia: Colombia Approves the Use of Cellulose as Anti-Caking Agent for Cheese
On January 18, 2025, Colombia's National Institute for the Surveillance of Food and Medicines (INVIMA) confirmed that cellulose is approved by the Colombian government as a cheese additive for use as an anti-caking agent in grated and/or granulated fresh cheese for surface treatment. FAS Bogota reached out to INVIMA for this confirmation after receiving several reports of issues with shipments of U.S. cheese at Colombian ports that contained cellulose. In 2024, U.S. exports of cheese to Colombia reached over $35 million.
Mexico: Citrus Annual
In market year (MY) 2024/25, total citrus production in Mexico is expected up by 4 percent versus the previous year, driven primarily by the increase in lime production. Fresh orange production is projected up only marginally due to unstable environmental conditions such as prolonged drought, high temperatures and erratic rainfall in the main producing regions. Post's forecasting for MY 2024/25 reflects producer expectations of improved environmental conditions that will aid in tree recovery and produce higher quality fruit. Orange juice production will increase following several years of lower production due to fruit quality issues. More favorable conditions helped to obtain better quality fruit through the latter half of MY 2023/24 and producer sentiment and market demand remains positive for MY 2024/25. Exports of fresh citrus fruit are projected to remain stable for fresh oranges and grow moderately for fresh lemons/limes.
The following GAIN reports were released on January 17, 2025.
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For more information, or for an archive of all FAS GAIN reports, please visit gain.fas.usda.gov/.
