USDA Foreign Agricultural Service,update

 

The following GAIN reports were released on January 7, 2026. _______     Bulgaria: FAIRS Country Report Annual Bulgaria acceded to the European Union (EU) in 2007 and follows EU directives and regulations pertaining to food safety, quality, and standards. This report outlines legislation regarding U.S. food product exports to Bulgaria, particularly those rules which differ from EU legislation. This report should be read in conjunction with the U.S. Mission to the EU (USEU) Office of Agricultural Affairs 2025's FAIRS report.   Bulgaria: FAIRS Export Certificate Report Annual This report provides an overview of health certificates needed for exporting plants, animals, foods and other animal origin products to Bulgaria. U.S. regulatory agencies have been informed of the wide range of certificate changes that have occurred in the past months and have updated their export manuals to reflect those changes.   China: Raisins Annual China’s raisin production is projected to rebound to 200,000 MT in MY 2025/26, recovering from the prior year when grape output was negatively affected by high temperatures. As the quality of Chinese raisins continues to improve, exports are expected to keep rising. Conversely, raisin imports are anticipated to decline further, a decrease attributed to increased world prices and retaliatory tariffs imposed on U.S. products.   Cote d'Ivoire: Cocoa Beans and Cocoa Products Semi-Annual - Mid-Crop MY 2024-2025 Update FAS Abidjan, Accra (Post) estimates Côte d'Ivoire's market year (MY) 2024/2025 cocoa production at 1.75 million metric tons (MMT), nearly 3 percent off from MY 2023/2024. The Ivorian cocoa sector faces production challenges, limiting its recovery. Côte d’Ivoire’s mid-crop cocoa bean production of 500,000 MT is below the 10-year average of 550,000 MT and is evidencing poorer bean quality. There are higher incidences of mold, resulting from elevated moisture levels (i.e., from delayed rains), accompanied by poorer bean fermentation. Cocoa bean exports are expected to rise to 1 MMT nonetheless, while ending stocks are expected to fall to 134,000 MT. The Ivorian government launched the Coffee-Cocoa Agricultural Interprofessional Organization (OIA Café-Cacao) to improve value-chain governance.   European Union: Citrus Annual The MY 2025/26 citrus season begun amid difficult conditions throughout southern Europe. Spain, Italy, and Greece—the region’s leading citrus production—are experiencing lower yields due to extreme weather, increased pest pressure, and changing market dynamics. Despite these challenges, the European citrus sector remains resilient and adaptable, benefiting from greater market transparency, advances in production methods, and new opportunities in sustainability-focused exports. MY 2025/26 will see a reduction in European Union (EU) orange, mandarin, and lemon production compared to previous season’s levels, while grapefruit output is expected to grow. In the context of a steady internal demand and regionalization of trade, intra-EU trade from producing areas to main consuming Member States is anticipated to prevail.   Japan: FAIRS Country Report Annual This report provides an overview of Japan’s regulations and standards for foods and agricultural products. New to this report are updates for heat-treated poultry from designated establishments and the expansion of organic equivalence agreements to include alcoholic beverages such as grape wines. For more information on Japan's certification requirements, see the FAIRS Export Certificate Report for Japan. For updates and developments in Japan’s regulations and standards for foods and agricultural products, check the USDA Japan website at www.usdajapan.org.   Singapore: Food Service - Hotel Restaurant Institutional Annual Singapore’s foodservice industry remains dynamic and resilient despite high costs and intense competition, driven by strong consumer demand, tourism recovery, and rapid digital adoption. Delivery platforms, automation, and cashless payments are now essential, while health, sustainability, and experiential dining shape consumer preferences. With continued government support and growing demand for international and affordable premium concepts, the sector is well positioned for continued growth.   Tanzania: Biotechnology and Other New Production Technologies Annual Tanzania enforces strict liability provisions under its 2009 Biosafety Regulations, effectively prohibiting the importation and commercialization of genetically engineered products. Nonetheless, biotechnology remains actively applied in the fields of medicine and public health. The country’s 2021 National Environment Policy recognizes the potential of modern biotechnology to advance research and enhance productivity across various sectors, including agriculture and healthcare.  The following GAIN reports were released on January 8, 2026. _______     Bulgaria: Food Processing Ingredients Bulgaria’s food processing sector is expanding, driven by rising consumer demand, steady modernization, and increased investment in production technologies. This improving market environment creates strong opportunities for U.S. suppliers offering high-quality, reliable, and innovative ingredients that Bulgarian processors increasingly seek. While recent inflation and regional supply chain issues slowed some activity, processors continue to expand product lines, upgrade equipment, and look for new sources of premium inputs. Bulgaria’s 2025 entry into the Schengen Area and 2026 adoption of the euro will further streamline trade, reduce transaction costs, and improve market predictability for foreign partners. These trends position U.S. exporters to supply ingredients such as tree nuts, sauces, specialty beverages, dairy components, legumes, and frozen products that support Bulgaria’s evolving food manufacturing base.   Burma: Validity Period of Import Licenses and Permits Applications Established Burma’s Department of Trade set the validity period of import/export licenses and permits applications at 180 days beginning on January 1, 2026. Companies may submit only one import license application for the same product within a single calendar month. While being seen as trade facilitating and supporting transparency, other parts of the December 31, 2025, notification introduce new restrictions. U.S. food and agricultural product exporters are encouraged to discuss implications with Burmese importers. As of January 6, 2026, the notification is not accessible to the public on the World Trade Organization website.   China: China Notifies Additional Maximum Residue Limits for Pesticides in Foods to the WTO  On December 19, 2025, China submitted a notification to the WTO under reference number G/SPS/N/CHN/1356. The standard establishes 598 maximum residue limits for 126 pesticides in foods. The proposed date of entry into force has not been announced. Comments may be submitted to China’s SPS National Notification and Enquiry Center at sps@customs.gov.cn until February 17, 2026. This report provides an unofficial translation of the draft standard.   Lithuania: FAIRS Country Report Annual Since its European Union (EU) accession in 2004, Lithuania has consistently harmonized its domestic food and agricultural regulations with EU standards. The Foreign Agricultural Service in Warsaw, Poland (FAS/Warsaw) advises stakeholders to consult with Lithuanian importers and/or buyers to ensure current requirements are met. FAS/Warsaw also recommends that the following report be read in conjunction with the EU Food and Agricultural Import Regulations and Standards (FAIRS) report, prepared by the U.S. Mission to the EU (FAS/Brussels).   Lithuania: FAIRS Export Certificate Report Annual Lithuania applies harmonized European Union (EU) regulations, including requisite certificates for most animal and plant-origin food and agricultural imports from non-EU countries. U.S. exporters should be aware that some interpretational variations can occur between EU Member States and are advised to consult with their Lithuanian importers regarding market access questions. U.S. exporters may also wish to consult with Lithuanian authorities on a case-by-case basis.   Morocco: Morocco's 2026 FTA Tariff Schedule On January 1, 2026, the Government of Morocco (GOM) published Circular # 6705/222, announcing the required tariff changes under the U.S.-Morocco Free Trade Agreement (FTA) for Calendar Year 2026. The circular includes tariffs, tariff-rate quotas (TRQs), tariff-rate quota administration, and agricultural safeguard measures. In 2026, Morocco continues to apply additional safeguard measures for frozen or chilled chicken legs and wings. In Morocco’s 2026 Finance Law, Morocco suspended import tariffs on livestock as a targeted measure to stabilize domestic meat supply and local prices.   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