GAIN reports

 

The following GAIN reports were released on April 24, 2025. _______     Canada: Canada Issues New Directive for Importation of Grapevine Material for Propagation The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has issued a new directive for “Phytosanitary requirements for the importation and domestic movement of grapevine material for propagation or decorative use as fresh cut vines”. This new directive updates previous phytosanitary requirements and amalgamates all import and domestic requirements into a single document. The directive is effective as of April 17, 2025.   Senegal: FAIRS Country Report Annual This report is an annual update of Senegal’s food and feed regulations and governmental regulatory bodies and enforcement mechanisms. It provides information and guidance on import requirements, procedures, and documentation. In 2024, Senegal adopted 25 new ECOWAS standards at the national level that are currently undergoing formal approval and integration into the national regulatory framework.   Senegal: FAIRS Export Certificate Report Annual This report provides information on export certificates and other certification/accreditation required for imported food and agriculture products, including live animals. There is no update for 2024.   Spain: Spain Seafood Report 2025 Spain is one of the world’s largest markets for fish and seafood. In 2024, it was the fourth largest importer of fish and seafood in the world - after much larger countries like the United States, China, and Japan. Spain boasts the largest fish processing industry in Europe as well as a high per capita consumption and expenditure on fish and seafood products. However, Spanish commercial fishing and aquaculture are insufficient to meet domestic demand for seafood products, therefore imports continue to remain key for the Spanish market. This report provides guidance to U.S. companies interested in exporting seafood products to Spain and includes an overview of the country's sector, market structure, and export requirements to help U.S. exporters navigate the challenges and opportunities in the Spanish market.    The following GAIN reports were released on April 23, 2025. _______     China: Cotton and Products Annual Posts forecasts MY 25/26 cotton production at 6.35 million metric tons (MMT) on stable planted area and a return to normal weather conditions. Imports are forecast at 1.55 MMT and domestic consumption at 8.15 MMT. Post revised up its estimate for MY 24/25 cotton production to 6.81 MMT. MY 24/25 imports are revised down to 1.40 MMT, as a glut of domestic cotton and high MY 23/24 imports are reducing demand for imported cotton. Beijing’s imposition of 140 percent tariffs on U.S. cotton will all but stop further imports from the United States.   Malaysia: Grain and Feed Annual Malaysia relies on imports to satisfy local demand for grain commodities including rice, corn, and wheat. In Marketing Year (MY) 2025/26, Malaysia’s rice production is expected to increase slightly due to improved seed varieties, government incentives, and expanded planting areas. Growing snack food manufacturing and bakery industries are projected to lead to increased Food, Seed, and Industrial (FSI) consumption of corn and wheat.   Paraguay: Grain and Feed Annual Paraguay’s wheat exports inn marketing year (MY) 2025/26 are forecast at 550,000 metric tons (MT), edging up slightly from the previous year, supported by a modest expansion in planted area even as yields may decline marginally. Corn exports are projected to fall 12 percent to 2.9 million tons, as rising domestic demand driven by ethanol production and feed consumption use continues to tighten exportable supplies despite flat production at 5.2 million tons. Rice exports are forecast at 790,000 MT (milled basis), holding steady year-over-year. Notably, rice area is expected to reach a record high despite narrowing profit margins as larger well capitalized producers enter the market.  The following GAIN reports were released on April 22, 2025. _______     Brazil: Sugar Annual Post expects Brazil to remain the world's largest producer of sugarcane and sugar in marketing year (MY) 2025/26. Total sugarcane production is forecast at 671 million metric tons (MMT), and total sugar production is forecast at 44.7 MMT, raw value. Sugar production should be favored by greater crystallization capacity of the mills, an increase in the volume of raw material, and a favorable sugar mix. As a result, Brazil is likely to increase sugar exports in MY 2025/26, even with uncertainties in commodity markets and international price volatility. Post forecasts Brazilian sugar exports for MY 2025/26 at 35.8 MMT, raw value, a slight increase of 710,000 metric tons, raw value, compared to MY 2024/25. USTR allocated Brazil's tariff-rate-quota on July 26, 2024. Brazil is the second-largest recipient of the U.S. sugar tariff-rate quota and received an allocation of 155,993 MTRV, which is equivalent to approximately 14 percent of the total TRQ.   Eswatini: Sugar Annual FAS/Pretoria’s Sugar annual report provides information on the production, supply, and distribution of sugar in Eswatini for marketing year (MY) 2023/24, MY 2024/25, and MY 2025/26. Growth in Eswatini’s sugar cane production, supported by sufficient water levels for irrigation, and timely cane deliveries is forecast to result in improved sugar production and exports in MY 2025/26. Eswatini is expected to continue exporting sugar to its traditional markets in MY 2025/26, mainly the South African Customs Union countries, the European Union, United Kingdom, and the United States.   Malaysia: FAIRS Country Report Annual This report provides information on the regulations and procedures for the importation of food and agricultural products from Unites States to Malaysia. The report is supplemented by the Malaysia Food and Agricultural Import Regulations and Standards (FAIRS) Export Certificate Report 2025. The most significant change for 2025 is that Malaysia recently launched the Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency, which will consolidate point of entry inspection functions from several government agencies. The new agency is currently active at 22 of Malaysia's 114 points of entry.   Malaysia: FAIRS Export Certificate Report Annual This report provides information on the export certification requirements of the Government of Malaysia. This report supplements the Malaysia Food and Agricultural Import Regulations and Standards (FAIRS) – Country Report 2025.   South Korea: FAIRS Country Report Annual Sections Updated: Section I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, X and Appendix II   South Korea: FAIRS Export Certificate Report Annual This report includes technical information and certificate requirements for food and agricultural product exports to the Republic of Korea.   Turkey: Sugar Annual The Marketing Year (MY) 2025/26 sugar beet area and production figures are forecast to remain the same as last year. Centrifugal sugar production remains the same year-on-year at 3.1 million metric tons, assuming favorable weather conditions. While planting is underway, the government has still not announced the beet sugar production quota for MY 2025/26. For reference, the quota for the previous marketing year was about 3 million metric tons.  The following GAIN reports were released on April 17, 2025. _______     Colombia: Sugar Annual In market year (MY) 2025/2026, FAS Bogota (Post) forecasts Colombia’s sugar production to recover to 2.3 million metric tons (MMT) due to improved weather conditions from the weakening of the La Niña phenomenon and expected normal weather patterns, positively impacting sugarcane yields and sucrose content. This recovery follows recent underperformance, especially in MY 2023/2024 when heavy rainfall lowered yields. Colombia’s economy is projected to grow by over 2.5 percent in 2025 through 2026, which should support modest improvements in sugar consumption despite the Colombian government’s continuing consumer tax on sugar products. Exports are expected to slightly increase owing to higher production, with mostly flat refined sugar imports.   Jamaica: Sugar Annual Production for Jamaica sugar is projected to fall to 33,000 metric tons (MT) for marketing year (MY) October 2025 to September 2026, consistent with the ongoing downward trend observed in the industry. Labor shortages, elevated production costs and antiquated equipment remain the main limiting factors affecting production in the country. Despite the sliding production forecast, Jamaica plans to continue exporting raw sugar to the United States under the World Trade Organization (WTO) tariff-rate quota program, while also meeting both domestic and regional demand, especially in markets where prices are favorable.   Paraguay: Oilseeds and Products Annual Paraguay’s soybean production is forecast to rebound to 10.9 million metric tons (MMT) in MY2025/26 on improved weather and modest acreage gains, following weather-driven losses the previous year. Crush is projected to rise to 3.4 MMT with higher domestic supply and improved crush margins. Soymeal and soy oil production are set to climb in tandem, with exports continuing to dominate. However, the industry remains constrained by rising input costs, limited credit, and chronic transport bottlenecks due to persistently low river levels that hinder barge logistics. Exports are expected to rise to 7.2 MMT, but future growth will depend almost entirely on the whims of Argentina’s situation in addition to global prices and climactic conditions throughout the growing season.   Uzbekistan: Cotton and Products Annual Uzbekistan’s cotton sector is at a crossroads. While opportunities for high-value-added products like textiles and ready-to-wear apparel are expanding, the industry faces financial constraints, shrinking farmland, and water shortages. To address these issues, the government has aligned cotton prices with global markets, aiming to enhance competitiveness and stabilize markets. For MY 2025/26 cotton lint production is expected to decline 6 percent from the previous season to 620,000 metric tons. Meanwhile, domestic consumption is projected to rise to 670,000 MT, with imports expected to be filled from neighboring countries. The following GAIN reports were released on April 16, 2025. _______     China: National Food Safety Standard Edible Starch Finalized On March 27, 2025, China’s National Health Commission (NHC) and the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) jointly released the National Food Safety Standard Edible Starch (GB 31637-2025). The updated final standard applies to edible starch products produced and sold in China, and it will enter into force on March 16, 2026. China notified the draft standard to the WTO on March 8, 2021. This report provides unofficial translation of the final standard. Stakeholders should conduct their own review of the regulation.   Hong Kong: The Hong Kong Wonton - Volume 5 Issue 4 Bite size local news, Post reports and activity summaries wrapped by ATO Hong Kong. In this issue: ATO Hong Kong and American agriculture support the U.S. Men’s and Women’s Rugby teams; U.S. wheat, cheese, and raisins are on the menu at Hong Kong Polytechnic University baking workshop; Hong Kong looks to boost cruise ship visits; Hong Kong Disney and commercial office space see turnaround; and the Ching Ming holiday sees a boost in arrivals.   Philippines: Sugar Annual FAS Manila forecasts marketing year (MY) 2026 raw sugar production to remain flat at 1.85 million metric tons (MT). Ample rainfall during the planting season which started in October supported sugarcane planting among farms with no irrigation. Sugar imports will continue to stabilize supply and prices in the domestic market. Post forecasts refined imports of 300,000 MT (321,000 MT raw sugar equivalent) in MY 2026 per Sugar Order No. 5 released on March 12, 2025, and Sugar Order No 2, released on February 7, 2025. Post expects the Philippines to fulfill its 2025 U.S. WTO sugar tariff-rate quota allocation of 66,000 metric tons raw value (MTRV). At this time, Post forecasts zero exports in MY 2026.   Serbia: Grain and Feed Annual Serbia’s overall grain production in MY 2024/25 had mixed results as its winter crops (wheat and barley) experienced bumper crops while corn, soybean and sunflower declined for the third year in a row. Corn quality was also a major issue this year with approximately 60 percent of the crop encountering aflatoxin contamination. For MY 2025/26, winter grain planting area slightly decreased from the previous year but experiencing favorable growing conditions to date. Serbia’s MY 2025/26 wheat and barley crops are expected to be on par with annual production averages.   Thailand: Sugar Annual MY 2025/26 sugar production is expected to further increase 2 percent from MY 2024/25. MY 2024/25 sugar demand by industrial uses is likely to decline significantly due to the Chinese ban on Thai sugar syrup exports. MY 2025/26 sugar exports are expected to slow down from MY 2024/25, following anticipated recovery in sugar exports from Brazil and India.   For more information, or for an archive of all FAS GAIN reports, please visit gain.fas.usda.gov/.