USDA Foreign Agricultural Service,update

 

The following GAIN reports were released on May 26, 2026. _______       Brazil: Brazil's Pulses Market - Strong Consumption and Trade Brazil ranks among the world's largest producers and consumers of dry beans, with production surpassing 3.5 MMT. The country remains generally self-sufficient in common dry beans but relies heavily on imports of chickpeas, lentils, and peas to meet domestic demand. The country traditionally exports varieties with limited domestic consumption, posing no risk to domestic supply. Brazil’s pulses trade relationship with the United States is limited but strategically important during supply disruptions.   Brazil: Stonefruit Production and Trade in Brazil Brazil's stone fruit sector focuses primarily on peach production, with smaller plum and limited nectarine production. The 2025/26 season faced significant weather challenges, as late frosts and excessive rainfall in southern producing regions reduced yields. With modest export volumes, most stone fruit production is consumed domestically. The sector confronts volatile weather conditions, high production costs, and competition from imports, but benefits from government support programs and ongoing investments in orchard modernization.   Japan: Japan Opens Comment Period for New JAS Standards for Almond Milk and Other JAS Revisions Japan is accepting public comments for the newly developed Japanese Agricultural Standards (JAS) for almond milk, as well as JAS revisions for organic algae and nishikigoi carp. Japan is also accepting public comments on maintaining the current JAS for textured soy protein products, easily chewed and easily swallowed foods, and hydroponically grown agricultural products that use probioponics technology. Comments are only accepted in Japanese and are due by June 17, 2026.   Philippines: Packaged Soups and Ready Meals Market Brief The Philippine market for soups and ready meals reached $176 million in retail sales in 2025, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of eight percent from 2020 to 2025, according to Euromonitor International. The market is forecast to reach $237 million by 2030, representing a CAGR of six percent from 2026 to 2030. While growth moderates from a larger base, the market remains attractive with steady expansion driven by continued consumer demand for convenient meal options. U.S.-origin packaged soups and ready meal products currently represent six percent of the total market, indicating substantial untapped potential for American exporters to expand their presence in this growing sector. The following GAIN reports were released on May 22, 2026. _______     Canada: Health Canada Consults on Industrial Hemp Health Canada has published a Notice of Intent with a 45-day public comment period seeking input on regulatory amendments for the industrial hemp sector. This Notice seeks early input that could influence potential future regulatory proposals. The consultation is open until June 30, 2026.   Nigeria: Nigeria Announces 2026 Fiscal and Trade Policy Changes On April 1, Nigeria announced the 2026 Fiscal Policy Measures and Tariff Amendments which eliminate, or gradually reduce to zero, nearly all the import adjustment taxes on agricultural imports. Extra duties on U.S. wheat imports, valued at $466 million in 2025, are expected to be reduced from 15 to 0 percent by April 1. Import adjustment taxes will be eliminated by April 1, or gradually reduced over 10 years, on other key U.S. exports including live animals for breeding, animal feed products, ethanol, and rice. In addition, the revised import prohibition list (Annex III) maintains 73 agricultural and related products (by HS code) on the list, while removing 77 products from the previous import prohibition list.   South Korea: Revised Label Regulations for Beverages Containing Alcohol On May 8, 2026, the Republic of Korea Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) revised the Enforcement Regulations of the Public Health Promotion Act and its implementing Notice to amend health warning labels for beverages containing alcohol. This new labeling requirement shall go into effect on November 19, 2026, and will be followed by a six-month implementation grace period for products manufactured and imported before that date. Industry should refer to MOHW’s Korean-language implementation guidance and work with their importers before finalizing labels. 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