GAIN reports

 

The following GAIN reports were released on August 26, 2025. _______     China: Draft Pet Feed Label Standard Open for Domestic Comments On August 11, 2025, China announced a new draft national standard for Pet Food Labeling; it is soliciting public comments until October 10, 2025. This is the first mandatory national standard specifically for pet food labels produced or sold in China, including imported pet foods. At the time of the report, China had not notified this standard to the WTO. This report provides an unofficial translation of the draft standard. Stakeholders should conduct their own review of the regulations to assess any market or regulatory effect on their business.   India: FSSAI Notifies Amendments to Alcoholic Beverages Regulations The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare/Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) published the Food Safety and Standards (Alcoholic Beverages) First Amendment Regulations, 2025, in the Gazette of India (Notification No. F. No. STD/SP-21/T(Alcohol-6). The amendments introduce new definitions of alcoholic ready-to-drink (RTD) beverages, country liquor, honey wine (mead), wine-based beverages, and nitro craft beer with additional amendments to requirements for fruit wines, craft beers and RTDs.   India: India Government Removes Import Duty on Cotton to Boost Textile Exports On August 19, India temporarily removed the 11 percent import duty on cotton until September 30, 2025. The move supports India’s textile industry amid rising domestic fiber costs and global competition, and improves access to cheaper, high-quality U.S. cotton. Year-to-date shipments (Jan-Jun) of U.S. cotton are up 109 percent, valued at $181 million. The exemption is expected to increase U.S. cotton bookings, providing short-term relief to Indian textile exporters that may face higher U.S. tariffs along with domestic challenges at the end of this month.   India: Oilseeds and Products Update India's soybean oilseed sector faces challenges in marketing year 2025/26, with production declining to an estimated 10.7 million metric tons (MMT) due to reduced acreage, unfavorable weather, and crop diversification. Soybean oil meal output is projected to drop to 7.6 MMT, constrained by weak feed demand and geopolitical tensions affecting exports. In edible oils, soybean oil production is expected to decline to 1.7 MMT due to reduced acreage and poor pod development caused by excessive rainfall and limited sunlight, while consumption is expected to rise to 6.4 MMT, driven by substitution from palm oil and discounted global soybean oil prices. Imports are set to surge to 4.7 MMT, supported by reduced import duties and cost-efficient supplies from China. Stocks remain steady at 750 TMT despite higher imports.   New Zealand: Livestock and Products Annual New Zealand’s livestock herd supply is stabilizing due to promising climatic conditions, decreasing inflation, strong prices, and increased on-farm investment. FAS/Wellington forecast cattle slaughter in Market Year (MY) 2026 at 4.5 million head, slightly below the 10-year average. Beef production for 2026 is forecast at 720,000 Metric Ton Carcass Weight Equivalent. This is consistent with 2024 production and slaughter levels with the increase in production a reflection of a higher average carcass weight per head. In the first six months of MY 2025, slaughter numbers and production volumes have decreased because of favorable farm gate prices for meat and milk encouraging farmers to cull fewer dairy cows and retain more finishing stock. FAS/Wellington forecasts MY 2026 exports to rise by 2 percent to 650,000 MT CWE, particularly due to greater demand from the United States, New Zealand’s largest red meat export market.     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 August 25, 2025.

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Bangladesh: Grain and Feed Update

For marketing year (MY) 2025/26, Post adjusts its rice imports forecast upward to 1.2 million metric tons (MT) as domestic rice prices continue to rise. Both the Government of Bangladesh and private traders are expected to increase rice imports in MY 2025/26 compared to last year. Post also raises its import forecasts for wheat and corn for MY 2025/26. Post contacts shared ample feedback on opportunities for U.S. corn exports to Bangladesh.

 

China: GACC Announces New Storage and Transportation Requirements for Imported Bulk Edible Vegetable Oils

On July 17, 2025, General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) announced new requirements for storing and transporting imported bulk edible vegetable oils and references the Codex Alimentarius Commission's "Code of Practice for the Storage and Transport of Edible Fats and Oils in Bulk" (CXC 36).

The following GAIN reports were released on August 27, 2025. _______     China: Biofuels Annual China maintained low ethanol blending rates while biofuel production shifted dramatically in 2025. Biodiesel exports collapsed due to EU anti-dumping duties, forcing producers to pivot toward sustainable aviation fuel production instead. Electric vehicle adoption reduced domestic fuel ethanol demand, while synthetic ethanol production from coal doubled. China is positioning itself as a major sustainable aviation fuel exporter with significant new production capacity coming online.   Indonesia: Indonesia's Expanding Halal Standards with Trade Impacts on the Horizon On October 17, 2026, mandatory halal certification requirements are scheduled to expand to most food and beverage products. In addition, genetically engineered products would also need to be certified halal by this date, although Indonesian officials have informally signaled flexibility. (Note that meat and dairy products must already be certified halal for export to Indonesia.) Approximately $2.5 billion worth of U.S. products will be affected, with halal certification as a prerequisite for access to the largest market in Southeast Asia. This report provides U.S. exporters with essential information for complying with Indonesia’s 2014 Halal Law and subsequent regulations by outlining which products are subject to and exempt from the certification requirements and how to obtain halal certification. FAS Jakarta will provide periodic outreach sessions to U.S. companies in preparation for impending halal requirements.   Mexico: Livestock and Products Annual The suspension of live cattle exports to the United States due to New World Screwworm is expected to redirect animals to domestic feedlots; cattle slaughter is projected to increase in 2026. Higher domestic beef production will likely enable a growth in exports to the United States and Japan. Rising demand for both beef and pork is expected, driven by population growth and expanding commercial consumption.     For more information, or for an archive of all FAS GAIN reports, please visit gain.fas.usda.gov/.

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For more information, or for an archive of all FAS GAIN reports, please visit gain.fas.usda.gov/.