USDA Foreign Agricultural Service,update

 

The following GAIN reports were released on March 12, 2026. _______   Kazakhstan: Kazakhstan Announces Livestock Development Plan for 2026-2030 In late January of this year, Kazakhstan unveiled its five-year plan (2026-30) for developing the country’s livestock sector. The overarching goal of the government’s plan, which includes a variety of incentives, is to increase the production of milk and meat for domestic and export channels. In order to realize this production goal, the government’s plan implies the need to import 30,000-60,000 breeding beef and dairy cattle.   Mexico: Avocado Annual Mexico continues to lead the world in avocado production. For 2026, Post forecasts Mexican avocado production to increase by 3 percent to 2.8 million metric tons (MMT). This is mainly a result of favorable growing conditions and sustained export demand. Mexican avocado exports are forecast to increase 7 percent to 1.3 MMT, with the United States remaining Mexico’s top destination for avocado exports.   New Zealand: Livestock and Products Semi-Annual New Zealand’s cattle herd is forecast at 9.84 million head at the start of market year (MY) 2026, marking the first annual increase in total stocks in four years and the first simultaneous rise in both dairy and beef cow numbers since 2019. Total cattle slaughter in MY 2026 is revised down to 4.32 million head, reflecting increased breeding stock retention and dairy-on-beef expansion. Strong profitability has encouraged producers to retain more replacement heifers and cows, temporarily constraining slaughter volumes. Beef production is forecast at 700,000 metric tons (MT) of carcass weight equivalent (CWE), supported by modestly heavier carcass weights and favorable pasture growing conditions. Export markets continue to underpin sector performance. The United States remains the largest market for New Zealand beef, accounting for approximately 40 percent of exports in MY 2025, with record export unit values driven by tight U.S. supplies, ongoing herd rebuilding, and a weaker New Zealand dollar. The following GAIN reports were released on March 11, 2026. _______ Egypt: Grain and Feed Annual FAS/Cairo (Post) projects Egypt’s wheat imports for marketing year 2026/27 at 12.5 million metric tons, a decrease from the previous year due to an expected increase in domestic production. In contrast, corn imports are forecast to rise in marketing year 2026/27 to support the expanding poultry and feed industries. U.S. corn is regaining a presence in the Egyptian market, driven by competitive pricing and superior quality. Rice production is expected to remain steady compared to last year, with exports likely to continue to regional markets.   Hong Kong: The Hong Kong Wonton Vol 6 Issue 2 Bite size local news, Post reports and activity summaries wrapped by ATO Hong Kong. In this issue: U.S. agricultural exports to Hong Kong increase six percent in 2025; ATO shares American culinary history with students at Hong Kong Polytechnic University; U.S. pet food brands expand market leadership at the Hong Kong Pet Show; Washington’s Cosmic Crisp apples expand retail presence; Hong Kong’s economy grows 3.5 percent in 2025 amid a tourism rebound but uneven domestic consumption; the HKSAR prepares its first locally formulated Five-Year Plan aligned with national priorities; labor shortages and cross-border dining reshape the foodservice sector; retail sales reflect a widening gap between visitor-driven luxury spending and cautious household demand; and Macau weighs tourism tax reform while navigating uneven recovery in non-gaming spending.   Mexico: Berry Annual Voluntary Post forecasts Mexico's berry production for calendar year 2026 to increase by 4 percent to 1.2 million MT across blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries. This growth in production is driven by Mexican industry’s investments in improved varieties, adoption of modern growing techniques, and changes to harvest timing to capture premium pricing windows in international markets. Mexico’s largest area of production continues to be strawberries, which represent 54 percent of total production. Blueberry production is forecast to substantially grow as Mexican growers shift to focus on premium markets, leveraging the spring window to reduce competition with Peruvian exports to the U.S. market. Mexico is expected to maintain its position as the top supplier of fresh berries to the United States in 2026.   Saudi Arabia: US Beef Export Requirements Changed U.S. beef exports to Saudi Arabia no longer need to be from a USDA Export Verification program. Separately, Saudi Arabia now permits bovine-derived tallow in animal feed, including ruminant feed. The removal of the Export Verification requirement, along with tallow acceptance, is likely to lower trade barriers and increase U.S. beef exports to Saudi Arabia.   Taiwan: Taiwan Extends Tariff and Business Tax Cuts for Selected Imported Agricultural Commodities On March 4, 2026, Taiwan announced the extension of tariff and business tax exemptions for several agricultural commodities until the end of September 2026. The tariff on beef and selective butter products and milk powder is reduced by 50 percent, the tariff on wheat and the business tax on imported corn, soybeans, and wheat are waived. These measures, originally set to expire at the end of March 2026, represent the 17th wave of tax reduction measures since their initial implementation in December 2021. The government aims to keep the annual Consumer Price Index (CPI) growth rate below two percent.     The following GAIN reports were released on March 10, 2026. _______   Brazil: Poultry and Products Semi-annual Brazil is the third-largest chicken meat producer and the largest chicken meat exporter in the world. Post forecasts chicken meat production will increase in 2026 due to consistent external demand, a lower currency valuation, sluggish socio-economic performance, lower production costs, and increased domestic consumption. Brazil is currently free from Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in commercial plants. Post estimates domestic consumption to increase in 2026. Chicken meat exports are forecast to increase in 2026, as Brazil opens new markets and consolidates and diversifies exports to existing markets. Negotiating regionalization clauses to its current health certificates with the objective of protecting exports remains a priority for Brazil.   For more information, or for an archive of all FAS GAIN reports, please visit gain.fas.usda.gov/.