USDA Foreign Agricultural Service,update

 

The following GAIN reports were released on February 13, 2025. _______     India: Oilseeds and Products Update FAS New Delhi lowered the marketing year (MY) 2024/2025 forecast for rapeseed area harvested to 8.9 million hectares (HA) and production to 11.7 million metric tons (MMT), due to a shift in cropping pattern toward more lucrative crops. Rapeseed oil production for MY 2024/2025 is revised lower to 4 MMT, driven by the lower oilseed production. Production of rapeseed meal is forecasted lower at 6.2 MMT owing to the availability of other price-competitive meals. Post’s sunflower oil import forecast is lowered to 1.9 MMT for the MY 2024/2025, driven by India’s increased edible oil import duties.   Kenya: Avocado In 2024, Kenya’s avocado production declined by 11.2 percent to 562 thousand metric tons (TMT), driven by reduced rainfall. Despite this setback, production is expected to rebound by four percent in 2025, reaching 585 TMT, supported by an increase in the land under avocado production and an increase in yield as a result of quality control improvements. Bolstered by government incentives such as the provision of high-quality seedlings, farmer training programs, access to subsidized inputs, planted area is projected to increase by six percent in 2025 to reach 34,000 hectares. The value of exports in 2024 are estimated to have surged by 11 percent to reach $159 million. The increase in value was driven by increase in demand for Kenyan avocado and that boosted its competitiveness in international markets. Domestic consumption accounts for 47 percent of production, with 2025 projections at 280 thousand metric tons.   Philippines: Food Security Emergency on Rice Declared in the Philippines The Philippine Department of Agriculture (DA) declared a food security emergency related to rice on February 3, 2025, citing an extraordinary increase in prices. This declaration allows the DA to sell National Food Authority rice buffer stocks to government agencies and entities, local government units, and “Kadiwa” outlets to help ease prices and prepare government warehouses for the upcoming harvest season.     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 February 12, 2025. _______     European Union: EU Deforestation Regulation - Revised Implementation Timeline for 2025 On December 23, 2024, the European Union published Regulation 2024/3234, which officially delayed the entry into application of the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) until December 30, 2025. No additional revisions beyond the postponement were made. Guidance documents and training resources are now available for stakeholders.   Indonesia: Indonesia Curbing Palm Waste Exports - Discouraging CPO Mixture Practices In January 2025, the Government of Indonesia (GOI) enacted a new regulation to curb exports of palm waste products, citing that they have already exceeded the “reasonable capacity,” in the hopes of shoring up feed stock supplies for domestic cooking oil and biofuels production. This measure is also an attempt to halt “mixture practices” of blending crude palm oil (CPO) with palm waste exports to circumvent the once higher CPO export levy and take advantage of foreign demand for waste-based feedstocks.   Israel: Israel Seeking Comments on Revised MRLs for Pesticides in Food and Feed of Animal and Plant Origin On February 5, 2025, the Israeli Ministry of Justice and the Israeli Ministry of Health published a request for public comments on the domestic application of changes to the Annex to European Union Directive 396/2005, amending the regulation for the maximum residue levels (MRLs) for pesticides in food and feed of plant and animal origin. The publication, which has not been notified to the World Trade Organization, is only open for public comment until February 19, 2025, 23:59 (Israel Standard Time).   Taiwan: 2024 US Agricultural Exports to Taiwan Summary In 2024, the total value of U.S. agricultural and related products exported to Taiwan was $3.8 billion, an increase of two percent compared to the previous year. Consumer oriented agricultural products continue to play an increasingly important role and 2024 marks the second consecutive year in which beef surpassed bulk commodity soybeans as the highest-value export BICO category. The top six U.S. export categories to Taiwan in 2024 included beef ($709 million), soybeans ($601 million), corn ($384 million), wheat ($325 million), fresh fruit ($262 million) and poultry ($262 million). Excluding Related Products, Taiwan still ranked as the eighth largest export destination in 2024 despite only tepid export growth from the previous year. From 2021 to 2023, Taiwan was the seventh largest export destination for U.S. agricultural exports.   Uzbekistan: Cotton and Products Update Uzbekistan plans to increase its textile exports from $3 billion to $7 billion by 2028, which depends on a stable supply of raw cotton. However, this goal faces challenges as cotton production is under pressure due to various factors. Uzbekistan's cotton lint production for MY 2024/25 is expected to reach 640,000 metric tons, lower than previously forecast due to pest issues and reduced raw cotton prices, which led to unharvested cotton left in the fields. As processing capacity expands through government investment, consumption is expected to gradually surpass production. In MY 2024/25, cotton lint consumption is forecast higher at 660,000 MT and imports from neighboring countries will continue to fill the gap.     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 February 11, 2025. _______     Burma: Food Service - Hotel Restaurant Institutional This report contains information about Food Service industry in Burma. It provides an overview of market opportunities and key channels of distribution for U.S. food and beverage products destined for the food service market in Burma.   Morocco: Morocco's 2025 FTA Tariff Schedule On January 1, 2025, the Government of Morocco (GOM) published Circular # 6622/222, announcing the required tariff changes under the U.S.-Morocco Free Trade Agreement (FTA) for Calendar Year 2025. The circular includes tariffs, tariff-rate quotas (TRQs), tariff-rate quota administration, agricultural safeguard measures, products covered by the preference clause, and allocation procedures. The most significant change impacting agricultural products are additional safeguard measures for frozen or chilled chicken legs and wings. In Morocco’s 2025 Finance Law, Morocco suspended import tariffs on fresh, chilled, or frozen meat of bovine and ovine species within the limit of a quota of 40,000MT from all origins.   Peru: FAIRS Country Report Annual This report outlines Peru’s regulatory requirements for food and agricultural product imports and updates and replaces the 2023 report. Peru's economy is on a steady path to recovery, fueled by robust performances across key sectors. The revival of the agro-industrial sector, backed by favorable weather conditions, has played a pivotal role in this upward trend. An improved economic outlook is expected to boost the demand for valuable imported goods. FAS Lima is optimistic regarding the projected expansion of U.S. consumer-oriented exports to Peru in 2024 due to a resurgence of exports in meat, fruits, food preparations, tree nuts, and non-alcoholic beverages.   Taiwan: 2024 Taiwan Agricultural Exports Summary In 2024, for the third consecutive year, the United States remained the number one export market for Taiwan’s agricultural and related products, taking 17 percent (valued at $935 million) of Taiwan’s exports. The top five Taiwan export categories to the United States included Bakery Goods ($187 million), Seafood ($171 million), Food Preparation ($167 million), Nursery Products/Cut Glowers ($64 million) and Non-alcoholic Beverages ($61 million). Taiwan imported $3.8 billion worth of U.S. agricultural and related products in 2024. As a result, U.S. maintained an agricultural trade surplus of $2.87 billion.   For more information, or for an archive of all FAS GAIN reports, please visit gain.fas.usda.gov/. Errata: The version of this report issued at 12 p.m. EST, on February 11, 2025, contained an incorrect estimate for 2021/22 European Union TY corn imports, impacting tables on pages 25-30. Those tables have been corrected and reposted. Please note that a corrected report was posted online at 4 p.m. EST without this errata message. CORRECTION:    Grain: World Markets and Trade This monthly report includes data on U.S. and global trade, production, consumption and stocks, as well as analysis of developments affecting world trade in grains. Covers wheat, rice and coarse grains (corn, barley, sorghum, oats and rye). Current Report Past Reports (USDA Economics, Statistics and Market Information System) The following GAIN reports were released on February 10, 2025. _______     Canada: Canada Consults on Proposed Maximum Residue Limits for Lambda-cyhalothrin On February 4, 2025, Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) opened a consultation on proposed maximum residue limits (MRLs) for lambda-cyhalothrin. This follows a proposed revision of PMRA’s 2021 final decision for lambda-cyhalothrin which canceled livestock feed uses. PMRA has now re-instated some feed uses, and subsequently is proposing to establish MRLs for certain livestock commodities as well as revoke the MRLs for apples and peaches. For apples and peaches, PMRA is proposing new MRLs at 0.01 ppm as compared to 0.3 ppm and 0.5 ppm for apples and peaches, respectively. The 75-day consultation will close April 19, 2025.   European Union: European Union Bans Bisphenol A in Food Contact Materials Bisphenol A in food contact materials is banned in the European Unions as of January 20, 2025, with a phase-in period of one to three years depending on the product.   Serbia: FAIRS Country Report Annual This report provides insights into Serbian regulations and standards pertaining to food, agriculture, and trade. It covers topics such as labeling, packaging, food additives, and import procedures. In 2024, Serbia adopted one amendment to the existing food law and introduced over eighty by-laws, encompassing various rules and ordinances related to agriculture.   Serbia: FAIRS Export Certificate Report Annual This report provides a guide to the certificate requirements for agricultural and food products intended for export to Serbia.     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 February 7, 2025. _______     China: Celebrating 30 Years of Jiangnan Market - A Key Hub for US Fresh Fruit Exports Jiangnan Fruit Wholesale Market in Guangzhou is China's most influential hub for imported fresh fruit, playing a crucial role in the supply chain. Significant volumes of U.S. cherries, plums, citrus, apples, and grapes enter China through this market before being distributed to other cities. With Jiangnan's recent expansion, it remains a key distribution network for fresh fruits and vegetables in China. This report highlights the importance of this wholesale market and identifies the varieties of U.S. fresh fruit that are sold through this channel.   China: Staying Cool - How New Cold Chains Provide Opportunities for US Fresh Products in China's Cross-border E-commerce For the first time, China's leading e-commerce platforms, JD.com and Tmall, successfully imported fresh fruits via the cross-border e-commerce (CBEC) channel. This was partly a result of increased cold-chain availability. Both platforms have established self-operated CBEC cold chain warehouses, positioning themselves to handle more fresh and frozen agricultural imports in the future. Industry experts predict that CBEC cold-chain product imports will significantly drive overall CBEC import growth in the coming years. This report outlines the opportunities and challenges for U.S. fresh and frozen produce in the CBEC market.   European Union: EU Organics Market Begins to Recover  After taking a dip in 2022, the EU organic market began to recover in 2023 as consumers’ financial situations improved. France and Germany still have the largest organic markets in the EU and growth is expected in almost every Member State until 2025. Area under organic farming is anticipated to expand due to higher demand as well as the EU Farm to Fork Strategy, which sets out a target of 25 percent agricultural land under organic farming by 2025.   Jordan: Exporter Guide Annual The exporter guide provides an economic and market overview, as well as demographic trends and practical tips for U.S. exporters on how to conduct business in Jordan. The report further describes three market sectors (food retail, food service, and food processing), recommendations for market entry, and recommendations for high-value product prospects - focusing on consumer-oriented products.   Taiwan: AIT Helps Release Nearly 2 Million Dollars in Stuck Shipments in CY2024 In 2024, the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) helped secure the release of 815.9 metric tons of U.S. agricultural products with a total value of $1.96 million. AIT intervention was effective in preventing or quickly resolving trade disruptions that can often happen due to errors and/or discrepancies in export shipping documents.   Turkiye: FAS-Turkiye Rescues Nearly USD 40 Million in Detained US Ag Shipments  From 2023-2024, the FAS-Turkiye office, with the assistance of U.S. regulatory agencies, successfully cleared about $40 million U.S. agricultural products that had been detained at Turkish borders. Post’s interventions preserved our exports, reduced costly trade disruptions, and encouraged continued bilateral trade.   Turkiye: Turkiye Updates its Pesticide Maximum Residue Limits  On January 7, 2025, the Turkish Ministry of Agriculture & Forestry (MinAF) published changes to its pesticide maximum residue limits (MRLs) for food. Imports arriving after the publication of the revised regulation must comply with the new MRLs by April 7. Unfortunately, given the format and size of Türkiye’s MRL list for imported products, it isn’t practical for Post to identify which MRLs were amended, added, or deleted from the prior list. U.S. industry groups or companies seeking clarification on the status of specific MRLs are invited to contact Post at AgAnkara@usda.gov.     For more information, or for an archive of all FAS GAIN reports, please visit gain.fas.usda.gov/. This email was sent to politikimx@gmail.com using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: USDA Foreign Agricultural Service · 1400 Independence Avenue, SW · Washington, DC 20250