USDA, Foreign Agricultural Service,update

 

The following GAIN reports were released on February 18, 2026. _______ China: China's Priorities in Agriculture and Rural Development in 2026 On February 3, 2026, Beijing released the annual No. 1 Document, outlining national strategies and measures related to agriculture and rural development. While food security remains the top priority, the focus has shifted from pursuing quantity increases to striving for improvements in quality. The document highlights the adoption of “new productive forces” such as artificial intelligence and robotics in agriculture. Additionally, it reiterates diversifying import sources and stresses the importance of coordinating agricultural imports with domestic production.   China: Solid Wood Annual 2025  China's 2025 timber production is estimated at 144 million m³, an increase of five percent, due to the maturation of managed commercial forests. China's housing market downturn has significantly reduced wood demand, with new housing starts and commercial housing sales both experiencing substantial declines. The furniture industry faced challenges in 2025 due to intensified competition and U.S. tariffs. Wood product imports and exports declined in 2025, with imports decreasing due to high domestic production and weak demand, and exports impacted by competitive international markets and tariffs.   Mexico: Mexico and European Union Prepare to Sign Modernized Global Agreement Mexico and the European Union are expected to sign the Modernized Global Agreement in 2026. The agreement significantly expands agricultural market access, removing tariffs on products from both parties, instituting improvements in customs and trade facilitation procedures, and imposing new rules on the use of geographic indications. 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 February 13, 2026.

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Colombia: Colombia Releases Single-Use Plastic Tax on Imports

On February 9, 2026, Colombia implemented a new national tax on all products containing single-use plastic products which also applies to imports. While the legal obligation to declare and pay the tax rests with the Colombian importer, U.S. exporters are being asked by their customers to provide detailed information related to packaging to support importer compliance.

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