GAIN reports

 

The following GAIN reports were released on February 6, 2025. _______     Brazil: Update to Citrus Annual Report for Brazil This provides an update to the report Citrus Annual_Brasilia_Brazil_BR2024-0043. The report has been edited from its original version to revise estimates and update the Post forecasts for production, consumption and exports. The Brazilian orange crop for Marketing Year (MY) 2024/25 is forecast at 320 million 90-pound boxes (MBx) - standard reference, equivalent to 13 million metric tons (MMT), an increase of 5.4 percent compared to the Post estimate for MY 2023/24 (300 million boxes or 12.3 MMT). Brazil’s production in MY 2024/25 is anticipated to recover slightly from the current season, which was the lowest since 1988. Post forecasts the Brazilian FCOJ 66 Brix equivalent production for MY 2024/25 at 1.0 MMT, an increase of 8 percent vis-à-vis the Post estimate for MY 2023/24 (930,000 MT), due to a slight recovery from the lower availability of oranges for processing from the current harvest.   Bulgaria: Tree Nuts Market Update Strong demand growth continued in the Bulgarian tree nut market in marketing year (MY) 2023/24. The domestic demand increase was led by both the retail/food service industry and by the confectionary trade. Local production of tree nuts, however, has not kept up with this expanding demand, and in fact declined last marketing year due to adverse weather (summer drought and heat). This led to surging imports, including from the United States. For MY 2024/25 expectations are for a marginal recovery in local supply, and stable to higher imports and consumption. In MY 2023/24, the United States strengthened its market position as a leading tree nut supplier to Bulgaria, with double digit growth in Bulgarian imports of U.S. tree nuts to over $14 million.    India: India Publishes Draft Amendment Regulations on Metal Contaminants Comments on India's revised measure on metal contaminants, toxins and residues are due by February 10 as notified to the World Trade Organization (WTO). The measure addresses tolerance limits for metal contaminants, crop contaminants, and antibiotics and includes limits for saffrole and oxolinic acid for certain processed foods and seafood products which may not have much impact on U.S. exports to India.   Israel: Seeking Public Comments on Changes to Israeli Legislation Concerning Maximum Levels for Certain Contaminants in Food  On January 29, 2025, the Israeli Ministry of Justice and the Israeli Ministry of Health published a request for public comments for the application of changes to the Annex of European Union Directive 2023/915. The main purpose for the changes is to either add pollutants or change the values of the maximum permitted levels. The publication is open for public comment until February 12, 2025, 23:59 (Israel Standard Time). The following GAIN reports were released on February 5, 2025. _______     Argentina: Less Paperwork More Trade - Argentina Revamps Food Import Rules Argentina has reformed its food import and export regulations. The new rules allow food imported from countries with “high sanitary standards”, including the US, to enter with minimal paperwork. Also, exports from Argentina now only need to meet the requirements of destination countries rather than Argentine domestic regulations. These changes aim to provide consumers with greater choice and more affordable food. They also seek to boost Argentina’s competitiveness, facilitate trade, and benefit both consumers and producers with faster, more efficient food trade processes. Note: At this time, these changes only apply to products regulated by the National Food Institute (INAL). They do not apply to products regulated by SENASA, including meat, poultry, dairy, pet food, and feed.   Germany: First Outbreak of Foot-and-Mouth-Disease in Germany since 1988 On January 10, 2025, the German Federal Research Institute for Animal Health (FLI) confirmed a Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) case on a water buffalo farm in Brandenburg. As a result, Germany lost its recognition as “free from foot-and-mouth disease without vaccination” by the World Organization for Animal Health. FMD can result in significant economic losses due to the closure of foreign export markets, and costs associated with containing the disease. Several countries (e.g., Canada, Mexico, South Korea, US, UK) have already put import restrictions in place.   Indonesia: After a Decade Indonesia is Updating Its Biofuel Roadmap Indonesia’s new biofuel roadmap shows the government’s 10-year plan for higher biodiesel blending rates, bioethanol’s inclusion in non-subsidized gasoline, and drop-in biofuels. The roadmap draft also recognizes organic waste as a biofuel feedstock. Although the roadmap shows lofty blending goals for bioethanol, it lacks the additional regulations that provide subsidies to cover the price spread between bioethanol and gasoline like the ones that prop up the biodiesel blend mandate. Without these subsidies, fuel retailers and biofuel producers will remain disincentivized to meet the new bioethanol blend mandates. The roadmap does not address tariff rate reductions for imported bioethanol.   Mexico: Berry Annual Voluntary Production of blackberries, raspberries, and strawberries is forecast to increase in 2025, driven by export and domestic demand, adequate access to water, improved plant varieties, and modernized agricultural practices. Blueberry production is forecast lower in 2025 based on a shortened harvest period. Forecast at 752,000 metric tons in 2025, total berry exports are projected to continue outpacing domestic consumption. Mexico is expected to remain the top supplier of fresh berries to the United States. The following GAIN reports were released on February 4, 2025. _______     Turkiye: Grain and Feed Update In marketing year (MY) 2024/25, Turkiye’s wheat, barley, and corn production is forecast to contract year-over-year due to drier-than-normal weather conditions during the growing season. Despite this contraction, Turkiye continues to hold large carryover stocks of wheat and barley from last year. The Turkish government has taken different steps to drawdown these surplus inventories. In addition, to conserve water in increasingly dry growing conditions, the government recently instituted a program to incentivize farmers to grow crops that are less water intensive in regions where water is in short supply.   Ukraine: Grain and Feed Quarterly Post’s marketing year (MY) 2024/25 production estimate for all grains is 13 percent lower than its MY2023/24 estimate. With MY2024/25 beginning stocks at minimum levels, Post’s export estimates are 26 percent lower than its estimates for the previous MY. The EU remains a significant destination due to its liberalization of trade policies for Ukraine and geographic proximity. At the same time, Ukrainian exporters continue to claw back their traditional markets, made possible by efficient operation of their Black Sea ports.  The following GAIN reports were released on February 3, 2025. _______     Austria: FAIRS Country Report Annual This report outlines specific requirements for food and agricultural product imports into Austria. As a member of the European Union, Austria follows EU directives and regulations. U.S. food and agricultural suppliers to Austria should verify with local importers and appropriate U.S. regulatory agencies for the most current local requirements prior to shipping. It is recommended that this report be read in conjunction with the EU Food and Agricultural Import Regulations and Standards Report. At the beginning of 2025, a newly introduced deposit on single use beverage bottles (plastic bottles and single-use glass bottles) and beverage cans becomes mandatory.   Austria: FAIRS Export Certificate Report Annual Austria as a member of the European Union (EU), applies EU regulations to the imports of agricultural products. U.S. export certification requirements for most products destined for the EU are harmonized. The few products which are not harmonized are subject to national regulations. Importers or exporters may need to consult with Austrian authorities to address import requirements for non-harmonized products on a case-by-case basis.   Canada: Canada Proposes to Revoke Tebuconazole Maximum Residue Limit for Grapes Canada's Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) has initiated a consultation on a proposal to revoke the maximum residue limit (MRL) for tebuconazole on grapes. If finalized, the legal MRL for tebuconazole on grapes in Canada would lower from 5.0 ppm to Canada's general MRL (GMRL) of 0.1 ppm. The GMRL would apply to all grapes entering the Canadian market, including imports. PMRA will host a 75-day consultation period for stakeholders to respond to the proposal to revoke the MRL. The consultation is open until April 13, 2025.   Egypt: Guide to Egyptian Food and Beverage Trade Shows This report provides a synopsis of Egyptian trade shows attended by FAS/Cairo, USDA Cooperators, and State, Regional Trade Groups in 2024. It includes FAS/Cairo recommendations as to which in-country trade shows present the best opportunity for showcasing U.S. food and beverage exports in Egypt. Notably, FAS/Cairo recommends Food Africa (December 2025) as the leading trade exhibition event for U.S. companies and USDA Cooperators seeking to promote their products in the Egyptian market.   Japan: Forage Market Update FAS/Tokyo projects Japan’s forage demand to continue to be sluggish in MY2024/25 due to the slow recovery of cattle inventories. Even weaker demand for imported forage is anticipated as farmers shift to price-competitive domestic forage. Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture increased support payments to expand its domestic forage production and improve supply chains for domestic forage.   Iceland: Iceland Has a Unique Environment for Biotechnology From a geographical and regulatory viewpoint, Iceland has a unique environment for marketing U.S. food products with, or without, any biotech content and/or conducting research on biotech applications. This is because Iceland has not yet implemented the EU legislation for genetically modified organisms (GMOs).   India: Food Safety and Standard Authority of India Announces New Timeline for Compliance with Labeling Requirements On January 3, India’s Food Safety and Standards Authority (FSSAI) announced a new timeline to comply with its food labeling requirements. Effective immediately, FSSAI has marked July 1 of each year as the implementation date for any new or amended labeling regulation. The timeline also includes a minimum 180-day window for compliance by food business operators.   India: Normal Rains Observed During Northeast Monsoon India's northeast monsoon began on October 15, five days ahead of schedule, however, cumulative rainfall between October and December was three percent lower than the fifty-year average according to India’s Meteorological Department (IMD). The monsoon officially withdrew from Tamil Nadu on January 27, four weeks later than the average withdrawal date of December 20. IMD has forecast normal to above normal rainfall between January to March over most parts of the country.   Kazakhstan: Kazakhstan Announces First Stage of 2025 Meat and Poultry Quotas On December 30, 2024, the Ministry of Trade and Integration announced the first stage of 2025 meat and poultry quotas by HS code for historic suppliers (i.e., importers). The first stage approved the distribution of 2,835 tons of beef and 31,500 tons of poultry. The 2025 TRQ volumes and rates remain unchanged from those announced in 2024. U.S. exporters are advised that shipping, transportation, and customs clearance delays related to the geopolitical situation have been reported in several Baltic and Caspian Sea ports of entry, and along ground transportation routes in Eastern Europe.   Mexico: Blueberry Annual Voluntary  Mexico is a leading global producer of blueberries, ranking sixth worldwide. Production is forecast at 73,500 metric tons (MT) for calendar year (CY) 2025, representing a nine percent decrease from CY 2024 based on a shortened harvest period. Mexico’s CY 2025 exports are forecast at 70,000 MT and imports at 20,000 MT. While still well below the annual per capita consumption levels of the United States and other leading global blueberry consumers, Mexico’s consumption more than doubled from 2023 to 2024 with increasing consumer awareness of the berries and related health benefits. The United States is expected to remain both Mexico’s number one blueberry export market and its top supplier.   Netherlands: Overview of the Market of Industrial Hemp in the Netherlands and Its Potential as Bio-based Material This report describes the current trends and developments of the industrial hemp sector in the Netherlands. Key highlight include the Netherlands’ National Approach Biobased Building, a strategy for construction through which it aims to have 30 percent of all newly built houses and utility buildings constructed with at least 30 percent bio-based construction materials by 2030. Hemp can play a role in this ambition. The report further provides an overview of the Dutch hemp market, and may be read as update to NL2020-0015 An Overview of the Dutch Hemp Market.     For more information, or for an archive of all FAS GAIN reports, please visit gain.fas.usda.gov/.