USDA Foreign Agricultural Service,update

 

The following GAIN reports were released on November 20, 2025. _______     Australia: Grain and Feed Update Australia’s barley production is forecast to reach a record level in MY 2025/26, while wheat production is projected to be the third highest on record. Southern Queensland and northern New South Wales are experiencing exceptional seasonal conditions, resulting in well above-average yields, while Western Australia is on track to challenge its wheat and barley production records. Southern New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia expect much improved production after selected areas experienced drought and frost damage in the previous season. The sorghum crop has had a patchy start, but with good subsoil moisture reserves, growers are optimistic and awaiting further rainfall after a dry October. The outlook remains positive, with above-average rainfall forecast for the coming months. In contrast, rice production and exports are forecast to decline sharply in MY 2025/26 due to severely reduced irrigation water availability and high tradeable water prices.   Kazakhstan: Grain and Feed Update Kazakhstan’s MY 2025/26 wheat production is forecast to contract from the prior year’s record, mainly because farmers switched to growing more profitable oilseeds, especially sunflowers. Below average temperatures and wet weather conditions during the harvest season is also expected to contribute to lower production numbers. In line with the projected drop in production, wheat exports will fall slightly lower year-to-year, while exporters seek to diversify export markets and continue to enjoy from the government’s transportation subsidy for another year.   South Africa: Grain and Feed Update South Africa’s corn planting area will likely remain unchanged in marketing year 2025/26 due to bearish local corn prices. These prices, influenced by a strong domestic corn harvest in the 2024/25 marketing year, are discouraging significant expansion in planting area. The eastern corn regions are already well into the planting season, supported by favorable soil moisture and early rains, which indicate a promising start to the season. Corn exports are projected to rise sharply in 2025/26, fueled by expectations of a bumper commercial crop and relatively high carry-over stocks. Corn stocks recovered substantially from the unusually low levels seen in marketing year 2023/24, driven by increased domestic production.   South Korea: Livestock and Products Annual FAS/Seoul forecasts 2026 Korean cattle production and slaughter to drop to 925,000 head and 1,020,000 head respectively. Post forecasts lower Korean beef production will sustain 2026 beef imports, consistent with 2025 at 580,000 metric tons (MT). FAS/Seoul forecasts 2026 pork production will remain flat at 1,430,000 MT, with domestic swine slaughter and weights similar to the 2025 levels. FAS/Seoul forecasts 2026 pork imports to hold up at the 2025 level.   Turkey: Grain and Feed Update In marketing year (MY) 2025/26, Turkiye’s production of wheat and barley, which is mostly dry farmed, is forecast lower year-to-year because of unseasonably dry weather conditions. Amid these dry conditions, corn production is predicted to grow since much of the crop has access to irrigation and owing to an expansion in the corn harvested area, especially second crop corn in the southeast. With the predicted contraction in wheat and barley output, imports of these commodities are forecast to increase from last year, while U.S. rice imports will benefit from the recent removal Turkiye’s 25 percent retaliatory duty. On the export front, Turkish flour exporters continue to struggle to regain market share lost last year.   Turkey: Livestock and Products Annual Turkiye has been focusing on importing feeder cattle, which has not historically helped to increase herd numbers due to inefficient domestic production policies and weak animal health and farm management. In 2026 Turkiye’s cattle inventory is projected to fall by 4 percent to 14.3 million head. This decline is primarily attributed to high slaughter trends, high production costs, and low profitability, prompting farmers to liquidate their herds. In 2026 beef production is forecast to slightly increase to 1.8 million metric tons (MMT) as farmers continue to liquidate their herds due to expected high input and production costs. According to the Turkish Red Meat Producers’ Association, meat consumption per capita in Turkiye has reached 51 kg. This figure consists of 22 kg of chicken meat, 20 kg of beef, 7 kg of sheep meat, and 2 kg of goat meat. However, according to meat sector representatives, 20 kg of beef per capita does not reflect the reality.     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 November 18, 2025. _______ China: Revised National Food Safety Standards on Food Additives Released On September 25, 2025, China’s NHC and SAMR jointly released several food additives standards, including L-Malic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Ammonium Carbonate, and Acorn Shell Brown. The final standards will enter into force on March 2, 2026. This report provides an unofficial translation of the final standards. Stakeholders should conduct their own review of the regulations to assess any market or regulatory effect on their business.   China: Revised National Food Safety Standard on Maximum Levels of Contaminants in Foods Released On September 25, 2025, China’s NHC and SAMR jointly released the revised National Food Safety Standard on Maximum Levels of Contaminants in Foods (GB 2762-2025). This updated standard applies to the limits of contaminants in categories of foods generated during farming, production, packaging, storage, transportation, distribution, and consumption, or from environmental pollutions. The contaminants covered in this standard exclude pesticide residues, veterinary drug residues, biotoxins, and radioactive materials. The final standard will enter into force on September 2, 2026. This report provides an unofficial translation of the final standard. Stakeholders should conduct their own review of the regulations to assess any market or regulatory effect on their business.

The following GAIN reports were released on November 17, 2025.

_______

China: Revised National Food Safety Standards on Food Additives Released

On September 25, 2025, China’s NHC and SAMR jointly released several food additives standards, including L-Malic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Ammonium Carbonate, and Acorn Shell Brown. The final standards will enter into force on March 2, 2026. This report provides an unofficial translation of the final standards. Stakeholders should conduct their own review of the regulations to assess any market or regulatory effect on their business.

 

China: Revised National Food Safety Standard on Maximum Levels of Contaminants in Foods Released

On September 25, 2025, China’s NHC and SAMR jointly released the revised National Food Safety Standard on Maximum Levels of Contaminants in Foods (GB 2762-2025). This updated standard applies to the limits of contaminants in categories of foods generated during farming, production, packaging, storage, transportation, distribution, and consumption, or from environmental pollutions. The contaminants covered in this standard exclude pesticide residues, veterinary drug residues, biotoxins, and radioactive materials. The final standard will enter into force on September 2, 2026. This report provides an unofficial translation of the final standard. Stakeholders should conduct their own review of the regulations to assess any market or regulatory effect on their business.

 

 

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

---

This service is provided to you at no charge by USDA Foreign Agricultural Service.

---

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