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The following GAIN reports were released on March 4, 2025. _______
China: GACC Announces Suspension of US Log ImportsOn March 4, 2025, the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) announced it was suspending processing imports of U.S. logs. GACC stated that these suspensions were in response to recent detections of forest pests such as bark beetles and longhorn beetles in U.S. shipments. In 2024 China reported imports of U.S. hardwood and softwood logs valued at $612 million and $237 million respectively.
China: SCTC Announces Retaliatory Tariffs on US Agricultural ProductsOn March 4, 2025, the Ministry of Finance State Council Tariff Commission (SCTC) announced that China will impose retaliatory tariffs on U.S. agricultural products. According to the SCTC announcement, the duties would apply to anything not shipped out of the United States by March 10 and that had not arrived in China by April 12. A 10-percent tariff will be applied to commodities such as sorghum, soybeans, pork, beef, aquatic products, fruits, vegetables, and dairy products, while a 15-percent tariff will be imposed on items including chicken, wheat, corn, and cotton. The report provides an unofficial translation of the SCTC announcement and includes tables listing the affected commodities.
China: GACC Announces Suspension of Soybean Shipments from Three US EntitiesOn March 4, 2025, the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) announced it was suspending soybean imports from three U.S. based entities. GACC stated that these suspensions were in response to recent, alleged detections of ergot and seed coating agents in U.S. soybean shipments.
Mexico: Poultry and Products Semi-annualMexico is the world’s sixth-largest producer of chicken meat and robust domestic demand is projected to boost production and imports in 2025. High beef and pork prices position chicken meat as the more affordable meat choice. The United States is expected to remain Mexico’s top poultry supplier due to established supply chains and geographical proximity.
Tanzania: Zanzibar Hotel Restaurant InstitutionalZanzibar's HRI food service sector has grown significantly, with a 37 percent increase in hotel and lodging facilities in the past five years. While U.S. exports make up less than one percent of Zanzibar's imports, mainly in frozen chicken, the island's expanding economy and youthful population present a promising opportunity for U.S. exporters of consumer-oriented and agricultural products. The rise in tourism and demand for diverse, high-quality food offerings aligns with global trends, suggesting a dynamic market with potential for growth and diversification in U.S. export offerings.
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 March 3, 2025.
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Bulgaria: Oilseeds and Products Market Update
In marketing year (MY) 2024/25, Bulgaria harvested its smallest oilseed crop in 15 years due to hot and dry summer weather negatively impacting yields. Based on the final official harvest data, the Bulgarian sunflower crop fell to only 1.45 million metric tons (MMT), the smallest crop since 2013 while the rapeseed crop decreased to 175,000 MT, the lowest level since 2008. Despite the small crop, rapeseed crushing is estimated to reach a new record this marketing year, leading to rising imports. The sunflower crush has been pressured by a local and regional deficit for sunflower seeds and weak crushing margins. As a result, leading sunflower crushers have been forced to switch from sunflower to rapeseed crushing, a new trend for the local industry. This change is projected to impact domestic consumption of oilseed meals, with declining use of sunflower meal replaced by imported soybean meal and/or local rapeseed meal.
Cote d'Ivoire: Cote d'Ivoire - Halal Overview - 2025
The African halal market is estimated at over $150 billion. In the Coastal West Africa Region, Côte d'Ivoire's halal food and agricultural products market is similarly growing. It shows promise thanks to the increasing number of halal product consumers in the country and in the region. Even though halal certification is not currently required by the national government and its regulatory agencies, Ivorian Muslim organizations and third-country certifiers are actively strengthening capabilities and promoting certification. With a large, growing Muslim community already present, the Ivorian halal marketplace is set to further expand over the next couple of years. It offers U.S. exporters of halal certified food and agricultural products willing to service this market good potential, as well as serves as the commercial and trade gateway to francophone West Africa (i.e., largely Muslim).
China: Food Safety Law Revision - Domestic Comments Opportunity
On February 17, 2025, the People's Republic of China (PRC) State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) released a letter soliciting public comments on a revision to the current Food Safety Law. The revision aims to regulate the permission and management system for the transportation of key liquid foods (e.g., edible oils) in bulk. This report contains an unofficial translation of the revised draft law for comments. Stakeholders should conduct their own review of the regulation and submit comments as necessary. As this is a domestic comment period, nothing official has been reported to the World Trade Organization.
Israel: Israel Seeks Public Comments on Amendments to European Union Regulations for Adoption into Israeli Food Legislation Food Information for Consumers
On February 27, 2025, the Israeli Ministry of Justice and the Israeli Ministry of Health published a request for public comments on changes to European Union regulation No 1169/2011 related to the provision of food information for consumers. The publication, which has not been notified to the World Trade Organization, is only open for public comment until March 13, 2025, 23:59 (Israel Standard Time).
Israel: Israel Seeks Public Comments on Amendments to Five European Union Regulations for Adoption into Israeli Food Legislation
On February 26, 2025, the Israeli Ministry of Justice and the Israeli Ministry of Health published a request for public comments on changes to five European Union regulations related to labeling (including messages and prohibited and restricted substances in food) and food improvement agents. The publication, which has not been notified to the World Trade Organization, is only open for public comment until March 12, 2025, 23:59 (Israel Standard Time).
Mexico: Livestock and Products Semi-annual
Mexican cattle exports to the United States resumed in February 2025 after a 70-day pause due to a New World screwworm detection. Cattle exports are expected to decline in 2025, leading to higher domestic slaughter. Increased beef production and stable demand should reduce beef imports, while higher pork production and modest consumption growth are forecast to keep pork imports stable.
Thailand: A Taste of Tomorrow - Food Trends Shaping Thailand's Restaurants in 2025
In 2025, the food and dining landscape is evolving with key trends like preserved foods, sustainability, zero-waste cooking, and high-end groceries. Consumers are drawn to long-lasting, shelf-stable foods and eco-friendly practices. Unique and visually appealing groceries are popular on social media, while "newstalgia" blends comfort foods with modern twists. Non-alcoholic beverages are gaining traction among health-conscious individuals. Food influencers continue to shape the digital food scene, focusing on sustainability , innovative dishes, and interactive experiences. These trends highlight a shift towards more sustainable, creative, and engaging culinary experiences.
Tunisia: Oilseeds and Products Annual
Tunisian MY 2025/26 soybean imports are expected to reach 535,000 MT, compared to 530,000 MT in MY 2024/25 as demand for animal feed increases slightly. Tunisian olive oil exports are forecast to drop to 180,000 MT in MY 2025/26, compared to 280,000 MT in MY 2024/25 reflecting the alternating high and low fruit bearing cycle of olive production.
The following GAIN reports were released on February 28, 2025.
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Brazil: Livestock and Products Semi-annual
Brazil is the second largest beef producing country and the largest beef exporting country in the world. Post expects decreased slaughter in 2025, due to the forecast start of the reversion of the cattle cycle. Producers are likely to begin holding cattle from the market in 2025, driving calf prices upwards. Record beef exports are forecasted for 2025. Domestic consumption is forecasted to decrease, as producers will prioritize exports, driven by strong external demand, devalued local currency, and challenges faced by foreign competitors. The swine industry is expected to increase in both production and slaughter in 2025. As a result, Post forecasts increased pork production, stable domestic consumption, and record exports in 2025.
China: 2025 Pulses Report
Pulse production has continued to decline over the last few years while the country remains a top importer of dry peas and mung beans. The main pulses produced and consumed are mung beans, dry peas, fava beans, kidney beans, adzuki beans, chickpeas, and lentils.
Hong Kong: Hong Kong E-commerce Market for Food and Beverage Products
This report provides an overview of Hong Kong’s business-to-consumer (B2C) e-commerce market, including details on major e-commerce marketplaces, emerging trends, and market opportunities for U.S. food and beverage products. Hong Kong’s e-commerce retail sales reached $4 billion in 2024 and increasingly serve as a valuable tool for direct-to-consumer food and beverage sales.
India: Livestock and Products Semi-annual
India’s 2025 beef production (mostly carabeef) is forecast at 4.64 million metric ton (MMT), up from 4.57 MMT in 2024. The large cattle inventory, Post forecasts at 307.5 million head in 2025, is expected to continue facilitating the increased slaughter and carabeef production. The slight production growth is steered by a continued demand, both for export and domestic consumption. India 2025 carabeef export forecast is at 1.58 MMT, virtually unchanged over 1.56 MMT in 2024. While export to Southeast Asian countries, especially Indonesia, is foreseen to be weak, export growth is expected from the markets of Egypt and Middle eastern countries.
Japan: Japan 265th Food Safety Group
The Consumer Affairs Agency (CAA) of Japan announced four sets of proposals. First was revisions on Japan’s maximum residue levels for 9 agricultural chemicals (Dimpropyridaz, Fluxametamide, Isofetamid, Polyoxin complex, Pyraziflumid, Thifluzamide, Broflanilide, Dibutyl succinate, and Norgestomet) for various agricultural commodities. Second, the CAA proposed to revise the specifications for mineral water. Third, the CAA proposed revisions of the specifications and standards for apparatus, containers, and packaging. Lastly, the CAA announced a usage and attitude survey on eight existing food additives in a view of delisting from approved list for those not used. Interested U.S. parties should submit their comments to PlantDivision@usda.gov for plant products, TFAA.FAS.
New Zealand: Livestock and Products Semi-Annual
Favorable pricing and weather conditions for New Zealand cattle farmers have resulted in a retention of finishing cattle on farms and less slaughter in 2024. Farm operations face challenges with continuing financial pressure such as high debt, increasing on-farm inflation, and declining farmgate margins. FAS/Wellington 2025 market year (MY) production forecast is up on the outgoing year, if realized, would be the second highest production in a single year. This is due to forecasts that prime beef from steers and heifers in the first half of 2025 are expected to be up in carcass weight and numbers. For the 2024 MY, beef and veal exports concluded 5 percent less than the previous year. The United States was the largest importer of beef and veal products, at almost 40 percent market share. Exports faced headwinds due to a 29 percent decrease in volumes to China, which was New Zealand’s largest market in the prior year.
Philippines: The Philippines Announces the 2nd Voluntary Sugar Purchase Program for MY 2024-2025
On February 7, 2025, the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) released Sugar Order No. 2 (SO2) authorizing the voluntary purchase of 500,000 metric tons (MT) of raw sugar to avail of an allocation in the government’s sugar importation program. This is the second round of SRA’s voluntary purchase program for marketing year (MY) 2024-2025. Sugar purchased under this voluntary program will be classified as “reserved” and is eligible for export to the United States under the 2025 WTO Tariff-Rate Quota Allocation for raw cane sugar.
The following GAIN reports were released on February 27, 2025.
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For more information, or for an archive of all FAS GAIN reports, please visit gain.fas.usda.gov/.
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