GAIN reports

 

The following GAIN reports were released on May 21-22, 2025. _______ Brazil: World Food Prize 2025 Awarded to Brazilian Researcher - as US-Brazil Agricultural Collaboration Strengthens Brazilian researcher Dr. Mariangela Hungria will receive the 2025 World Food Prize for her scientific advancements in biological nitrogen fixation, which have transformed soil health and crop nutrition in tropical agriculture. Her work led to the development of biological seed treatments that enhance productivity, while reducing the reliance on chemical fertilizers, and that save Brazilian farmers up to US$25 billion annually on input costs. As part of the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (EMBRAPA), Dr. Hungria made significant contributions in promoting the use of biological fertilizers and also contributes to the Fertilize 4 Life (F4L) initiative, a collaboration with USDA, the University of Florida, and the International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC).   China: Dairy and Products Semi-annual Post forecasts that China’s raw milk production will decline in 2025 due to continued reductions in dairy herd size, despite improved per-cow yields. Imports of fluid milk and skim milk powder are forecast to decline due to relatively strong domestic production and weak demand. Post forecasts that whole milk powder imports will increase modestly due to reduced domestic production. Cheese imports are expected to rise moderately on stronger food service demand. Butter imports will increase due to growth in the baking and food service sectors, although domestic production is also expanding. Whey imports are forecast to decline due to high tariffs on U.S. product and limited capacity of alternative suppliers, despite firm demand in the feed and infant formula sectors.   Colombia: Colombia Launches New InvimAgil System for Food Product Registration Colombia has launched a new electronic platform for registering foods and beverages for human consumption. The system, InvimAgil, will be phased in under the coming months; currently, the use of the system is not mandatory. However, U.S. companies are encouraged to register on InvimAgil to receive further instructions and avoid delays when the new system becomes fully operational. INVIMA has not yet provided a final date for the full implementation of the system. For further information, U.S. companies may contact FAS Bogota at agbogota@fas.usda.gov or jose.quintero@usda.gov.   Hong Kong: The Hong Kong Wonton - Volume 5 Issue 5 Bite size local news, Post reports and activity summaries wrapped by ATO Hong Kong. In this issue: ATO Hong Kong prepares for the USDA Agribusiness Trade Mission to Hong Kong and USA Pavilion at HOFEX; Raisin Administrative Committee showcases California raisins to Hong Kong chefs; Hong Kong posts better than expected Q1 economic growth; sales of food and alcoholic drinks increase in March; AmCham Hong Kong advocates for recognizing Hong Kong's unique status; and top China pork producer Muyuan eyes Hong Kong for public listing.   Indonesia: Indonesia Raises Palm Exports Levy On May 14, 2025, Indonesia raised export levies for most palm oil products, from 7.5 percent to 10 percent for crude products and up to 9.5 percent for refined products. The levy increases are meant to sustain the new B40 blend mandate program.   Mexico: Dairy and Products Semi-annual Mexico’s dairy sector is projected to grow modestly in 2025, supported by better feed and water access, herd expansion, and ongoing efficiency gains. Production is expected to rise despite 2023–2024 drought impacts and New World Screwworm infestations in southern Mexico. Imports of fluid milk and butter will likely decline from 2024 peaks, while cheese imports hold steady. Milk powder imports are set to increase as processors favor lower-cost raw inputs, creating opportunities for U.S. exporters. Dairy consumption remains driven by population growth, rising incomes, and strong demand from processors and the foodservice industry.   Panama: FAIRS Country Report Annual Changes to Panama's import requirements reflected in this report are for pork, dairy products, seafood and rice. A new law establishes the inspections and food safety regulations for food products. Consumers perceive U.S. food products as high quality and reliable, which has resulted in continuous growth in demand. Panama imports 66% of all its agricultural product needs from the United States, facilitated by the United States – Panama Agreement regarding certain sanitary and phytosanitary measures and technical standards affecting trade in agricultural products.   Panama: FAIRS Export Certificate Report Annual Panama recognizes the certificates and standards of the U.S. regulatory and sanitary inspection system, based on the United States – Panama Agreement regarding certain Sanitary and Phytosanitary measures and Technical Standards affecting Trade in Agricultural products, of December 20, 2006, simplifying requirements for the importation of U.S. food and feed products. Panama accepts electronic certificates.   Peru: Coffee Annual Peru’s coffee production in marketing year (MY) 2025/2026 is forecast to rebound by eight percent reaching, 4.2 million 60-kg bags. Domestic coffee consumption during this period is projected at 300,000 60-kg bags. In MY 2024/2025, total coffee exports reached 3.9 MMT, with the United States remaining the largest market, accounting for 27 percent of Peru’s total coffee exports.   South Korea: Korea Whiskey Market Brief South Korea’s whiskey imports experienced a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17.1% in value from 2020 to 2024, totaling $249 million. The United States ranked as the second-largest supplier of whiskey to Korea, following the United Kingdom.   South Korea: Korea Tree Nut Market Brief With limited domestic production and increasing consumer demand, Korean imports of tree nuts continue to grow steadily, recording a compound annual growth rate of six percent over the last five years. In 2024, the United States dominated the market, accounting for roughly 87% of the market share for imported tree nuts.   Ukraine: Sugar Annual Post forecasts marketing year (MY) 2025/26 sugar production at 1.5 million metric tons, a 17 percent decrease from Post's previous MY estimate. The main factor is uncertainty over the EU’s trade policy toward Ukraine past June 2025. The EU was a major destination for Ukrainian sugar in MY2022/23 and MY2023/24, featuring premium prices and relatively short shipping distances. Without a set policy, domestic sugar producers, who are struggling with a combination of decreased domestic consumption and large domestic stocks, have decreased their sugar beet production areas in CY2025.   Vietnam: Vietnam Restructures Plant Regulatory Responsibilities This report provides an update on the restructuring of Vietnam’s government regarding the regulation of plants and plant products. As part of recent efforts to streamline government operations, the newly named Plant Production and Protection Department, under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, is now responsible for overseeing plant and plant product regulations. This Department was formed through the merger of the Department of Crop Production and the Department of Plant Protection.     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 May 20, 2025. _______ China: Comment Opportunity on 28 National Food Safety Standards On May 14, 2025, China’s National Health Commission announced a solicitation of public comments on the revision of 28 national food safety standards. The comments can be submitted to China’s national standards management information system until June 14, 2025. At the time of the report, the standards have not been notified to the WTO. This report provides unofficial translation of the announcement and the list of the standards. Stakeholders should conduct their own review of the regulations to assess any market or regulatory effect on their business.   Mexico: Coffee Annual Mexico's coffee production is forecast to reach 3.9 million green bean equivalent in the 2025/26 marketing year. This slight increase from the previous year is attributed to planting incentives driven by favorable coffee prices and ongoing efforts to improve coffee varieties. Domestic roasted coffee consumption is also projected to rise moderately to 1.35 million green bean equivalent in 2025/26, supported by private and government initiatives promoting quality and consumption. The United States remains the primary market for Mexican coffee and the top soluble coffee exporter to Mexico.   Taiwan: Taiwan Wood Pellets Market Update This report is an update of TW2023-0048 Taiwan Wood Pellets Market Brief - New Environmental and Energy Priorities Realize Opportunity for $300 Million in U.S. Wood Pellets, published in 2023. In 2022, Taiwan published "Taiwan’s Pathway to Net-Zero Emissions in 2050," outlining the island's strategy to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. Developing renewable energy is a crucial component of this plan, and wood pellets were considered by Taiwan to generate additional green energy. However, Taiwan has postponed the conversion of one of its largest coal boilers to burn wood pellets. Instead, Taiwan opted to use natural gas for power generation and purchase an additional $200 billion worth of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the U.S. U.S. wood pellets export opportunities remain for paper and petrochemical industries with fluidized bed systems, which required to adopt carbon reduction targets to cut their emissions.   Tanzania: Coffee Annual Despite market volatility, and unstable policies, the European Union remains the largest importer of Tanzanian green coffee beans, buying six times as many beans as the United States. FAS/Dar es Salaam projects green bean exports will rise from 1.25 million bags in MY 2024/25 to 1.36 million bags in MY 2025/26, driven by increased production. Post also forecasts a two percent rise in ending stocks, primarily due to higher production, while domestic consumption sees only minimal growth.     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