USDA, Foreign Agricultural Service,update

REMINDER: USDA Accepting Applications for Agribusiness Trade Mission to the Philippines WASHINGTON, December 29, 2025 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is accepting applications for its Agribusiness Trade Mission to Manila, Philippines, taking place April 13-16, 2026. U.S. exporters that are interested in exploring trade opportunities in Philippines’s thriving market and rapidly growing economy must apply by Friday, January 09, 2026. “U.S. agricultural exporters have an abundance of new opportunities in the Philippines, thanks to President Trump’s recent trade agreement,” said Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Under Secretary Luke J. Lindberg. “This trade mission will connect U.S. producers with key buyers in the Philippines, expanding economic opportunities, supporting rural prosperity, and keeping American agricultural products globally competitive.” The Philippines is the 9th largest export market for U.S. agricultural and food exports, averaging $3.6 billion annually during the last five years. Among the top 20 most populous countries in the world with 118 million people, the Philippines offers U.S. agribusinesses tremendous export potential thanks to its young and fast-growing population, strong consumer preference for U.S. foods and beverages, and robust service-based economy. USDA’s Agribusiness Trade Mission to the Philippines will be timely, as 2026 marks the 80th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our two countries. This significant anniversary year offers a unique opportunity to strengthen ties in the agricultural sector and expand exports for U.S. farmers, ranchers, and producers. The United States is the Philippines top supplier of food and beverage products, providing one-fifth of the country’s total import needs. For U.S. companies interested in exploring the Philippine market, strong export opportunities including: Beef, pork, poultry, and related products Dairy products (cheese, consumer-oriented, and other ingredients) Deli and gourmet products Frozen and ready-to-eat meals Fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables Processed fruit and vegetable products Infant food, cereals, and other breakfast items Convenience, organic, “free-from”, and “better-for-you” products Confectionery and snack foods Seafood products Wines, beer, distilled spirits, and non-alcoholic beverages Dog and cat food Ethanol While in Manila, participants will conduct business-to-business meetings with potential importers, receive in-depth market briefings from FAS and industry trade experts, participate in site visits, and attend other networking opportunities. USDA’s trade mission to The Philippines is part of USDA’s broader 2026 export promotion strategy. Additional missions will go to Türkiye, Australia, Saudi Arabia, and Vietnam. For more information on USDA trade missions, visit https://www.fas.usda.gov/topics/trade-missions The following GAIN reports were released on January 6, 2026. _______     Brazil: Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture Publishes Updated Plant Registration Procedures for Animal Food and Feed Plant Registration This report outlines updated plant and label registration guidance for U.S. animal food and feed product exporters to Brazil. The USDA Foreign Agricultural Service Office of Agricultural Affairs (OAA) Brasília will provide assistance for U.S. plant registration in Brazil; however, U.S. animal food and feed products exporters are responsible for product label registration in Brazil. Please note that products cannot be shipped until confirmation of both plant and label registration is received from the Government of Brazil.   Brazil: Citrus Annual The Brazilian orange crop for Marketing Year (MY) 2025/26 is forecast at 330 million 90-pound boxes (MBx) - standard reference, equivalent to 13.5 million metric tons (MMT), an increase of 3.7 percent compared to previous Post estimate (320 million boxes or 13 MMT), primarily due to satisfactory weather conditions expected in 2026. Post forecasts the Brazilian FCOJ 65 Brix equivalent production in MY 2025/26 at 1.03 MMT, an increase of 1.86 percent from Post’s revised estimate for MY 2024/25 (1.01 MMT).   European Union: EU Olive Oil Outlook 2025 The EU is the world’s largest producer of olive oil, accounting for well over half of global supply. In MY 2025/26, Post projects a continued recovery of the EU olive oil sector from recent droughts, with production stabilizing, consumption rebounding, and trade flows adapting to both internal and external market dynamics. The MY 2025/26 olive oil production in the EU is expected to stay marginally below previous season levels, as long-awaited fall precipitation only arrived in the second half of November, leaving little room for initial production forecasts to expand. The larger availability of olive oil in MY 2024/25 allowed for larger sales within the EU, and for a recovery in exported volumes, with relatively smaller import needs.   Malaysia: Oilseeds and Products Update Malaysia’s palm oil production for MY 2025/26 is revised higher on improved harvested area productivity, stronger early-year output, and more consistent harvesting conditions. Palm kernel, palm kernel meal, and palm kernel oil estimates are revised upward in line with increased productivity and crushing activity, with domestic feed and oleochemical demand expected to absorb the increased share of available supply. Palm oil exports are expected to remain competitive in key Asian and Middle Eastern markets, while biofuel policy developments in Indonesia may tighten regional exportable supplies and support Malaysia’s export position. Soybean, soybean meal, and soybean oil estimates reflect modest gains in crushing, feed demand, and consumption, supported by competitive pricing, steady import availability, and stable use in food and feed sectors.   Mexico: Citrus Annual In market year (MY) 2025/26, total citrus production in Mexico is expected to decrease slightly by 0.4 percent from the previous year, driven primarily by a decrease in orange production. MY 2024/25 fresh orange production is estimated down on heavy rains caused by tropical storms Raymond and Priscilla that hit main producing regions in October 2025 postponing harvesting in some areas until early MY 2025/26. Environmental factors, such as prolonged drought, extreme heat, and erratic rainfall, are expected to hamper production. Orange juice production is subsequently also projected down slightly on lower available orange supplies and inconsistent fruit quality. Exports of fresh citrus fruit are projected to maintain a relatively moderate upward trend for fresh lemons/limes and a marginal decrease for fresh oranges.  The following GAIN reports were released on January 5, 2026. _______     Austria: FAIRS Country Report Annual This report outlines specific requirements for food and agricultural product imports into Austria. As a member of the European Union, Austria follows EU directives and regulations. U.S. food and agricultural suppliers to Austria should verify with local importers and appropriate U.S. regulatory agencies for the most current local requirements prior to shipping. It is recommended that this report be read in conjunction with the EU Food and Agricultural Import Regulations and Standards Report. At the beginning of 2025, a newly introduced deposit on single use beverage bottles (plastic bottles and single-use glass bottles) and beverage cans became mandatory.   Austria: FAIRS Export Certificate Report Annual Austria as a member of the European Union (EU), applies EU regulations to the imports of agricultural products. U.S. export certification requirements for most products destined for the EU are harmonized. The few products which are not harmonized are subject to national regulations. Importers or exporters may need to consult with Austrian authorities to address import requirements for non-harmonized products on a case-by-case basis.   China: China Announces TRQ Following Beef Safeguard Investigation As a result of China’s beef safeguard investigation, China has announced a tariff rate quota (TRQ) on all imports of fresh, frozen, and chilled beef products. Effective January 1, 2026, a total TRQ of 2,688,000 metric tons will be allocated among exporting countries based on average market shares from July 2021 to June 2024. The United States’ quota is set at 164,000 metric tons for 2026. The in-quota tariff will be the most-favored-nation (MFN) rate plus any country-specific tariff, while the out-of-quota tariff will be 55 percent plus the in-quota tariff.   China: China Publishes Updated MFN Tarriff Rates - Increasing Tariffs on Cranberries and Some Fishery Products Effective January 1, 2026, China will eliminate the tentative MFN tariff rates previously applied to fresh and dried cranberries, as well as specific types of frozen fish, according to a tariff adjustment plan published on December 29, 2025. The MFN tariff rates will increase ten percent for cranberries and one percent for select frozen fish products. This report contains an unofficial translation of the 2026 tariff adjustment plan and a list of agriculture-related products subject to tentatively applied MFN tariff rates.   Cote d'Ivoire: FAIRS Country Report Annual This FAIRS-Côte d’Ivoire Country Report Annual - 2025 outlines the Ivorian government’s requirements for imports of food and agricultural products destined for human and animal consumption. FAS Abidjan, Accra (Post) in this report provides U.S.-origin food manufactures and exporters with an overview of key Ivorian laws, regulations, and requirements governing the import of food and agricultural products. The report provides details on the Ivorian government’s regulatory bodies and enforcement mechanisms. This FAIRS-Côte d’Ivoire report also provides comprehensive information and guidance on overall import requirements, procedures, and documentation necessary for compliance. This report informs on trade restrictions and imports bans.   European Union: EU Commission Proposes Revisions to EU Organics Regulation  On December 16, 2025, the European Commission published a proposal to revise the EU Organic Regulation. The aspects of the proposal that will impact the United States include the Commission’s effort to postpone the deadline for the transformation of equivalency arrangements into trade agreements, currently set for December 31, 2026, to December 31, 2036, and the Commission’s proposal to adapt rules on labelling of organic products imported from third countries.   European Union: EU Adopts Changes to Deforestation Regulation On December 23, 2025, the European Union published Regulation 2025/2650, which is an amendment to the controversial EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). The published amendments officially delay the EUDR’s entry into application until December 30, 2026. The amendments also create new definitions that provide simplifications to some, primarily EU, operators, and excludes paper products from the scope of application. The new Regulation also calls on the Commission to publish a simplification review of EUDR by April 30, 2026.   Hungary: FAIRS Country Report Annual Hungary is a member of the European Union (EU) and follows EU directives and regulations, including those relating to the importation of food products. This report provides an overview of food laws in force in Hungary that cover areas that are not yet harmonized.   Hungary: FAIRS Export Certificate Report Annual Hungary, as a member of the European Union (EU), applies EU regulations to imports of agricultural products. U.S. export certification requirements for most products destined for the EU have been harmonized. Products not yet harmonized are subject to national regulations. Competent Hungarian authorities may need to be consulted, on a case-by-case basis, to address import requirements for some categories of non-harmonized products.   Mexico: Newly Enacted Laws and Regulations Governing Biofuels Development in Mexico in 2025  In 2025, Mexico enacted the Biofuels Law, the Hydrocarbons Sector Law, and the PEMEX Law, along with the corresponding implementing regulations. All together, these laws centralize regulatory oversight of biofuels and update the framework for biofuel production, blending, and quality standards. Mexico has not implemented changes to NOM-016-CRE-2016, known as NOM-16, which continues to govern ethanol blending and Methyl Tert-Butyl Ether (MTBE) use. Under NOM-16, Mexico maintains an ethanol blending cap of 5.8 percent and does not permit ethanol blending in Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey.   Spain: Cotton and Products Crop Outlook 2025 For the 2025/26 season, Spain’s cotton area planted is projected to drop to the lowest levels in almost three decades. Nevertheless, MY 2025/26 cotton production in Spain is projected to recover and reach 111thousand MT (166 thousand Bales). Post forecast is based on improved cotton yields thanks to improved water irrigation allocation and low pest incidence. Exports, Spain’s largest outlet for cotton, are expected to recover in line with the larger availability.   United Kingdom: UK Tariff Suspensions December 2025 update On December 12, 2025, the UK Department for Business and Trade (DBT) announced the launch of a new window for the public to apply for tariff suspensions, the fourth such window. The last day to apply for tariff suspensions is February 4, 2026. DBT has also launched a review of 300 duty suspensions set to expire on June 30, 2026, which were automatically extended through December 31, 2026. The UK government is soliciting feedback as to whether these suspensions should be extended through the end of 2028.     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