USDA Foreign Agricultural Service,update

 

The following GAIN reports were released on September 4, 2026. _______     China: 2026 Development Plan for National Food Safety Standards Published On September 1, 2026, China’s National Health Commission (NHC) published a list outlining its Development Plan for National Food Safety Standards. This report provides an unofficial translation of the list of 45 national food safety standards that China plans to develop or update in 2026. Stakeholders should conduct their own review of the regulations to assess any market or regulatory impacts on their business. China: Oilseeds and Products Update Post is lowering its forecast for MY 26/27 soybean production slightly to 20.1 million metric tons (MMT) on a smaller planted area. Chinese state-owned enterprises (SOEs) continue to purchase U.S. soybeans in accordance with the Busan agreement. As of August 13, USDA FAS Export Sales data indicates that, China had purchased 5.7 MMT of U.S. new crop soybeans for delivery in MY 26/27, with an additional 3.8 MMT being sold to “Unknown Destinations”, which can indicate purchases by Chinese SOEs. At the same time, China’s current 10 percent retaliatory tariff on U.S. soybeans has led commercial buyers to rely on South American origins, with Brazil sending record volumes from June to August 2026. China’s growing soybean crush for meal and cooling demand for soybean oil will push its soybean oil exports to reach a record 1 MMT in MY 25/26. Japan: The 276th Japan Food Safety Group Outcomes The Consumer Affairs Agency (CAA) of Japan has proposed revisions to Japan’s maximum residue levels (MRLs) on five agricultural chemicals (Chlorantraniliprole, 1,3-Dichloropropene, Fenazaquin, Thiobencarb, and Tiadinil) for various agricultural commodities. By September 9, 2026, interested U.S. parties should submit their comments to PlantDivision@usda.gov for plant products, FAS-TPGAAnimalDivision@usda.gov for animal products, and PPTRD@usda.gov for processed products. The CAA will also notify the proposed revisions to the World Trade Organization. South Africa: Poultry and Products Annual FAS Pretoria forecasts a three percent increase in chicken meat production, reaching 1.73 million tons in Marketing Year (MY) 2027 (January to December 2027). This growth is driven by lower feed prices following the recovery of the local grain harvest.South Africa’s poultry imports are expected to continue their long-term decline: FAS Pretoria forecasts a 2027 drop of four percent to 280,000 tons driven by continued high tariffs and anti-dumping duties and improved domestic production. Poultry imports for MY 2026 are expected to decrease by only two percent as South Africa lifts long standing restrictions on countries after Highly pathogenic Avian influenza outbreaks. In 2025, Mechanically Deboned Meat (MDM) represented 68 percent of poultry imports, while bone-in chicken meat imports represented 25 percent of the imports. Thailand: Grain and Feed Monthly FAS Bangkok forecasts MY 2026/27 rice production, down 2 percent from MY 2025/26 to 20.3 million metric tons (MMT), as tighter water supplies and an emerging El Niño reduce off-season planting. Rice exports hold at 7.3 MMT under a strong Thai baht and sustained Indian and Vietnamese competition, pushing ending stocks to a five-year high. Corn imports rebound in MY 2026/27 as the expanded 1 MMT zero-duty World Trade Organization (WTO) quota and extended ASEAN Free Trade Agreement (AFTA) window restore supplies curtailed by burn-free certification requirements that cut imports by a third in MY 2025/26. Wheat imports ease to 3.3 MMT as recovering corn availability displaces feed wheat, with both channels now competing for the same 3:1 domestic corn purchase allocation. Uruguay: Livestock and Products Annual Uruguayan beef exports in 2027 are forecast at 520,000 tons carcass weight equivalent (CWE), the highest level since 2021, supported by an expected increase in cattle slaughter and beef production. The United States and China are projected to remain the two largest export markets. Cattle are consistently being slaughtered at younger ages and heavier weights, reflecting changing market dynamics and the growing use of grain feeding. Domestic beef consumption is forecast to increase marginally. Ukraine: New Bovine Embryo Certificate with Ukraine In June 2026, Ukraine’s State Service for Food Safety and Consumer Protection and the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service agreed on a new international veterinary certificate for importing bovine embryos and oocytes from the United States into Ukraine. This certificate creates new opportunities for U.S. genetics exporters. For more information, or for an archive of all FAS GAIN reports, please visit www.fas.usda.gov.