USDA Foreign Agricultural Service,update

 

STAKEHOLDER NOTICE – Notice of Funding Opportunity for three U.S. agriculture market promotion trips   The U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service announced on March 16, 2026, the availability of three $115,000 NOFOs that create opportunities for U.S. agricultural producers to increase exports to Uzbekistan and Armenia through U.S.-based agricultural marketing tours. USDA invites eligible applicants to apply to its three NOFOs to design and host 2-week marketing programs to educate international buyers on the superiority of U.S. agricultural products and arrange business connections between U.S. industry and Uzbek and Armenian buyers.    The three marketing tours seek to:    Increase U.S. distilled spirits exports to Uzbekistan by educating Uzbek buyers on the superiority of American whiskeys.    Increase U.S. soy exports in Uzbekistan by educating Uzbek importers on using U.S. soy for livestock feed.   Expand business opportunities and reduce trade barriers for U.S. companies exporting agricultural products to Armenia.    The funding opportunities are described in the Notice of Funding Opportunity published on Grants.gov here:   Uzbekistan – U.S. Distilled Spirits Promotion - https://grants.gov/search-results-detail/361510  Uzbekistan – U.S. Soy Promotion - https://grants.gov/search-results-detail/361509  Armenia – Promoting Food Safety Regulations Favorable to U.S. Agricultural Exports - https://grants.gov/search-results-detail/361508  The application deadline for this NOFO is 11:59PM Eastern Standard Time (EST) on May 14, 2026.   The following GAIN reports were released on March 13, 2026. _______     Brazil: The Global Acai Report In 2026, açai production in Brazil is estimated to reach 2 million metric tons (MMT), representing an 11 percent increase from the 2025 estimate of 1.8 MMT. Domestic consumption of Brazilian açai grew by approximately 15 percent annually. Total exports in 2025 reached 55,798 MT, remaining roughly unchanged from the previous year.   European Union: Livestock and Products Semi-annual Rising input costs, stringent regulations, and disease outbreaks are undermining the EU cattle sector’s viability, leading to projected declines in herd sizes and beef production by 2026. These supply constraints and restricted imports are driving up beef prices, which is subsequently curbing domestic consumption. Meanwhile, the swine sector is restructuring as oversupply and trade barriers cause prices to plummet, forcing a reduction in the pig crop and slaughter particularly across Western Europe. While internal pork consumption remains supported by these lower prices, overall EU exports are expected to face significant cuts due to disease-related bans.   Hong Kong: Hong Kong Pet Food Market Report 2026 Hong Kong is a long-standing market for U.S. pet food, with the United States remaining the leading supplier for over two decades due to strong consumer confidence in U.S. safety standards, quality control, and country-of-origin branding. In 2025, Hong Kong imported $28.8 million of U.S. dog and cat food, up 2.8 percent year-on-year, even as total global pet food imports fell 6.5 percent to $142 million. About $41 million (29 percent) of imports were re-exported—mainly to mainland China and Macau—while $101 million (71 percent) stayed in the local market. Demand for premium, science-based, and functional pet food continues to grow, supporting opportunities for U.S. exporters.   Mexico: Grain and Feed Annual Post forecasts Mexican production of wheat, rice, and sorghum in marketing year (MY) 2026/2027 higher largely due to improved water availability. Corn production is forecast to decline, as rising input costs, anticipated low crop prices, and elevated carryover stocks from MY 2025/2026 output weigh on planting decisions. Imports of corn, wheat, and rice are forecast to increase, driven by rising consumption tied to population growth and an expected expansion in livestock production. Sorghum imports are forecast to decrease as domestic production gradually recovers and feed demand increasingly shifts toward imported yellow corn.     For more information, or for an archive of all FAS GAIN reports, please visit gain.fas.usda.gov/.