USDA Foreign Agricultural Service,update

 

REMINDER: USDA Accepting Applications for Agribusiness Trade Mission to the Philippines WASHINGTON, December 29, 2025 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is accepting applications for its Agribusiness Trade Mission to Manila, Philippines, taking place April 13-16, 2026. U.S. exporters that are interested in exploring trade opportunities in Philippines’s thriving market and rapidly growing economy must apply by Wednesday, January 14, 2026.

USDA Foreign Agricultural Service,update

 

The following GAIN reports were released on January 7, 2026. _______     Bulgaria: FAIRS Country Report Annual Bulgaria acceded to the European Union (EU) in 2007 and follows EU directives and regulations pertaining to food safety, quality, and standards. This report outlines legislation regarding U.S. food product exports to Bulgaria, particularly those rules which differ from EU legislation. This report should be read in conjunction with the U.S. Mission to the EU (USEU) Office of Agricultural Affairs 2025's FAIRS report.

USDA, Foreign Agricultural Service,update

REMINDER: USDA Accepting Applications for Agribusiness Trade Mission to the Philippines WASHINGTON, December 29, 2025 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is accepting applications for its Agribusiness Trade Mission to Manila, Philippines, taking place April 13-16, 2026. U.S. exporters that are interested in exploring trade opportunities in Philippines’s thriving market and rapidly growing economy must apply by Friday, January 09, 2026.

USDA Foreign Agricultural Service,update

 

Stakeholder Notice: Revised Daily and Weekly Export Sales Reporting Schedule Due to the closure of USDA on December 24 and 26, 2025, USDA is issuing the following updated schedule for publishing the Weekly Export Sales reports. USDA previously issued a publication schedule for the Weekly Export Sales Reports that were missed due to the lapse in Government funding.  The schedule below is an update to the previously published calendar.

USDA Foreign Agricultural Service

 

Opportunities for U.S. Agricultural Products in the Philippines The United States continues to be the largest supplier of agricultural products to the Philippines, which was its ninth-largest export market in 2024. Consumer preferences have recently changed to include more health awareness, convenience foods, and products for different lifestyles. Products that have the greatest potential for expansion in the Philippine market include dairy, poultry, ethanol (non-beverage), pork, beef, processed potatoes, confectionery and snack foods, and seafood. Please click here to read more >>

The following GAIN reports were released on December 16, 2025.

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Canada: Biotechnology and Other New Production Technologies Annual

Health Canada has indefinitely paused a proposed policy update for cattle and swine clones developed through somatic cell nuclear transfer. Environment and Climate Change Canada consulted with Canadians on approval of four lines of genetically engineered (GE) pigs in Summer 2025. If approved, the intent is that the GE pigs will continue to seek further regulatory approval for commercial pork production purposes. Canada planted 11.6 million hectares of GE crops in 2025, mainly canola, soybeans, and corn. In 2024, imports of corn totaled 2.4 million metric tons (MMT), 33 percent less than the previous year, and 300 thousand metric tons (TMT) of soybeans (down 17% year-over-year). More than 90 percent of GE crops imported into Canada are sourced from the United States.

 

Caribbean Basin: Biotechnology and Other New Production Technologies Annual

Six years after the conclusion of a regional biosafety regulatory project, participating Caribbean countries remain stuck halfway up the mountain and unable (at least for now) to reach the summit — a point at which the use of modern biotechnology is scientifically and cohesively regulated throughout the region. However, even with biosafety regulations largely stuck in their tracks in the region, the trade of living modified organisms for food, feed, and processing (LMO-FFPs) flows without any significant biosafety restrictions. However, it also means the region remains hamstrung by its inability to engage in biotechnology research or benefit from the many advantages offered by new and emerging agricultural biotechnologies.

 

Malaysia: Biotechnology and Other New Production Technologies Annual

Malaysia continues to depend on imported GE-derived feed ingredients while keeping strict limits on domestic GE crop cultivation. In 2025, regulators began more active discussions on how genome-edited products should be handled, reflecting pressure to modernize policy. Animal biotechnology remained minimal, and discussions continue to focus on public expectations and halal consideration. Microbial biotechnology stayed commercially strong in 2025, supported by steady industry use of fermentation-based ingredients and clear food-safety rules.

 

Nicaragua: Biotechnology and Other New Production Technologies Annual

Nicaragua's biotechnology framework has become more complex over the past year, as enactments of Ministerial Resolutions 028-2024 and Ministerial Resolution 034-2024 significantly increased regulatory requirements for biotechnology studies and genetically engineered grain imports, respectfully. Despite these actions, Nicaragua's Biotechnology Law 705 remains non-operational.

 

Panama: Biotechnology and Other New Production Technologies Annual

Although Panama highlighted the use of biotechnology in its Agricultural State Policy Law 352 of 2023, Panama has not yet established the implementing regulations of Law 48 of 2002, which created the National Commission of Biosafety for Genetically Modified Organisms, in order to have clear and efficient procedures regarding the approval process and coordination among all of the competent government agencies in charge of authorizing the import, research, production and commercialization of agricultural biotechnology and other new production technologies in Panama.

 

The following GAIN reports were released on December 12, 2025.

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Angola: FAIRS Country Report Annual

This report outlines the most important information that companies need to pay attention to when exporting food and agricultural products to Angola. It summarizes Angola’s general food laws, regulatory authorities, major import/export procedures, food and packaging/labeling regulations, registration measures, and other trade facilitation issues. It contains information from the government authorities in the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, who oversee imports of agricultural and food products. Finally, it provides contact information for major government regulatory agencies and a list of useful local public and private sector contacts for additional technical product-specific information and import assistance. This country report is designed to be used in conjunction with the 2025 FAIRS Export Certificate report.

 

Angola: FAIRS Export Certificate Report Annual

This report documents Angola’s technical policies, practices, and import requirements for food and agricultural products and include numerous veterinary health export certificates for U.S. animals and animal genetics. In the absence of a food safety law, Angola follows international Codex Alimentarius standards. This report is designed to be used in conjunction with the 2025 FAIRS Annual Country Report.

 

European Union: FAIRS Export Certificate Report Annual

This guide provides an overview of health certificates needed for exporting plants, animals, foods, and other animal origin products to the European Union. U.S. regulatory agencies have been informed of the wide range of certificate changes that have occurred in the past months and have updated their export manuals to reflect those changes. Sections updated: All sections.

 

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

 

USDA Foreign Agricultural Service,update

 

The following GAIN reports were released on December 11, 2025. _______   Hungary: Biotechnology and Other New Production Technologies Annual Maintaining Hungary’s GE-free status remains a government priority. Although the country’s scientific and breeding institutions were supportive of genome editing, the European Commission’s (EC) legislative proposal on new genomic techniques (NGTs) was caught in political crossfire. At the same time, in the case of an enabling legislative environment in the EU, the country would be open to adopting innovative, non-transgenic biotechnologies but only with strong guarantees.

 

USDA Reschedules FAS Reports Affected by Lapse in Federal Funding Due to the lapse in Government funding, several scheduled FAS reports were cancelled or delayed. The following commodity reports have been rescheduled. Upcoming 2025 commodity reports not listed will be released at the date and time previously established on the FAS website. Tree Nuts: World Markets and Trade (October 23) will be released Monday, November 24 at 3 p.m. ET. Livestock and Poultry: World Markets and Trade (October 9) will be released on Tuesday, December 9 at 3 p.m. ET. Sugar: World Markets and Trade (November 20) will be released Tuesday, December 16 at 3 p.m. ET. Grains: World Markets and Trade (October 9 and November 12): data will be included in the report released Tuesday, December 9 at 12:15 p.m. ET. Oilseeds: World Markets and Trade (October 9 and November 12): data will be included in the report released Tuesday, December 9 at 12:15 p.m. ET. Cotton: World Markets and Trade (October 9 and November 12): data will be included in the report released Tuesday, December 9 at 12:15 p.m. ET.

USDA, Foreign Agricultural Service,update

 

The following GAIN reports were released on November 26, 2025. _______     Indonesia: Statement Letter Necessary to Release Non-Compliant Shipments for Indonesian Export Timing Restrictions This report provides updated guidance to help U.S. exporters comply with Indonesian Quarantine Authority regulation number 14/2024, which outlines restrictions surrounding the timing of plant shipments departing U.S. ports. For any shipments that are not in compliance with the “21-day rule” in Articles 293 or 204, we strongly recommend that U.S. exporters prepare a statement letter explaining

USDA Foreign Agricultural Service,update

 

The following GAIN reports were released on November 20, 2025. _______     Australia: Grain and Feed Update

USDA,FOREIGN AGRICULTURAL SERVICE...update

 

Secretary Rollins Leads Largest USDA Trade Mission to Mexico, Participates in New World Screwworm Joint Reviews Washington, D.C., November 13, 2025 – Last week in Mexico City, Mexico, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins led the largest U.S. Department of Agriculture agribusiness trade mission in the history of our country. During the mission to Mexico, 41 U.S. businesses, 33 cooperators and agriculture advocacy groups, six state departments of agriculture, and 150 participants conducted more than 500 business to business meetings over three days. This was a critical opportunity for American business to further trade ties and for USDA to continue its aggressive response to New World Screwworm (NWS) in Mexico and continue to hold Mexico accountable for its commitments to the 1944 Water Treaty.

USDA Foreign Agricultural Service,update

 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture will provide $480 million to make America safer, stronger, and more prosperous and strengthen global food security through its two premier international food assistance programs, McGovern-Dole and Food for Progress. These programs rely on and support American farmers, ranchers, and producers, who generously share their bounty with the world, and open key markets for American businesses.

USDA Foreign Agricultural Service,update

 

The following GAIN reports were released on September 24, 2025. _______     El Salvador: FAIRS Country Report Annual Since August 7, 2024, the Superintendence for Sanitary Regulation has been responsible for food and beverage product registration in El Salvador. The Consumer Protection Law is enforced by the Consumer Protection Agency (DDC). Ministry of Agriculture is in charge of meat and dairy products, and pet food import permits. Food safety norms are becoming stricter, sometimes causing unnecessary trade delays.

USDA Foreign Agricultural Service,update

 

Grain: World Markets and Trade This monthly report includes data on U.S. and global trade, production, consumption and stocks, as well as analysis of developments affecting world trade in grains. Covers wheat, rice and coarse grains (corn, barley, sorghum, oats and rye). Current Report Past Reports (USDA Economics, Statistics and Market Information System)

USDA Foreign Agricultural Service, update

 

The following GAIN reports were released on September 3, 2025. _______     Brazil: Cotton and Products Update

USDA,Foreign Agricultural Service,update

 

Cotton: World Markets and Trade This monthly report includes data on U.S. and global trade, production, consumption and stocks, as well as analysis of developments affecting world trade in cotton. Current Report Past Reports (USDA Economics, Statistics and Market Information System)

USDA Foreign Agricultural Service,update

 

Cotton: World Markets and Trade This monthly report includes data on U.S. and global trade, production, consumption and stocks, as well as analysis of developments affecting world trade in cotton. Current Report Past Reports (USDA Economics, Statistics and Market Information System)

USDA Foreign Agricultural Service,update

 

The following GAIN reports were released on June 10, 2025. _______     China: National Food Safety Standard on Microbiological Examination of Foods Coliforms Count On March 27, 2025, the PRC released the National Food Safety Standard on Microbiological Examination of Foods Coliforms Count. This updated standard applies to the testing and counting of coliforms in foods. The final standard will enter into force on September 16, 2025. At the time of this report, the PRC has not notified the WTO of this revised standard. This report provides an unofficial translation of the final standard. Stakeholders should conduct their own review of the regulations to assess any market or regulatory effect on their business.   Guatemala: Exporter Guide Annual Guatemala’s imports of consumer-oriented products continue to grow, reaching $886 million in 2024, a 14 percent increase that surpassed imports of bulk and intermediate products by nearly 50 percent. Since 2020, imports in this category have doubled. Food sales in hotels, restaurants, and supermarkets are also increasing, driven by a young population with an average age of 26.   India: India Cuts Import Tax on Crude Edible Oils - Opportunities for US Soybean Oil On May 30, 2025, India reduced its import duty on crude soybean, sunflower, and palm oil from 20 percent to 10 percent, lowering the effective duty to 16.5 percent. The policy aims to curb high edible oil prices and inflation while encouraging imports of crude oil to boost domestic refining. The tariff reduction is expected to increase crude oil imports, especially palm and soybean oil, presenting opportunities for the U.S. soybean sector.

USDA,FOREIGN AGRICULTURAL SERVICE,update

 

U.S. Agricultural Exports Opportunities in Taiwan In 2024, Taiwan was the eighth-largest market for U.S. agricultural exports, valued at $3.8 billion, 16 percent greater than 5 years ago. The top five U.S. agricultural exports to Taiwan are beef and beef products, soybeans, corn, wheat, and fresh fruits. In December 2024, an agreement as part of the U.S.-Taiwan Initiative for 21st Century Trade entered into force. The agreement covers trade facilitation, customs, anticorruption, and support for small- and medium-sized businesses. The agreement has yet to conclude other topics undergoing negotiation, including agriculture. The United States was the largest supplier of agricultural products to Taiwan in 2024, accounting for 25 percent of Taiwan’s import market, followed by Brazil (10 percent) and China (6 percent). Please click here to read more >>

The following GAIN reports were released on May 29, 2025.

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China: Regulations on the Protection of New Plant Varieties Finalized

 

REMINDER: USDA Accepting Applications for Agribusiness Trade Mission to Dominican Republic WASHINGTON, March 19, 2025 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service is now accepting applications for its agribusiness trade mission to Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, scheduled for July 13-17, 2025. Current and potential U.S. exporters interested in exploring trade opportunities in the region must apply by April 2, 2025. “With strong economic growth and rising demand for high-quality food in the Dominican Republic, now is an ideal time for U.S. agribusinesses to expand their presence,” said Foreign Agricultural Service Administrator Daniel Whitley. “This trade mission will connect U.S. exporters with key buyers and help them forge partnerships to tap into this dynamic market.” The Dominican Republic is the largest economy in the Caribbean and the seventh-largest economy in Latin America. Since the Dominican Republic-Central America Free Trade Agreement took effect in 2007, U.S. agricultural exports to the Dominican Republic have doubled, reaching $2 billion in 2024. CAFTA-DR has phased out almost all tariffs, and the agreement further strengthens the position of U.S. products in the region. Consumer-oriented products represent the largest share of U.S. agricultural exports to the Dominican Republic, with growing demand across multiple sectors, including: Beef, pork, poultry and related products Dairy products Snack, bakery and confectionery products Fresh fruit Wine and distilled spirits Dog and cat food During the trade mission, participants will join buyers from the Dominican Republic, Haiti and Jamaica for targeted business-to-business meetings to explore and discuss potential business opportunities in each country. Foreign Agricultural Service staff and regional experts will also provide in-depth market briefings, lead informative site visits and host networking events.  For more information or to apply, visit https://www.fas.usda.gov/topics/trade-missions/dominican-republic-july-2025. The application deadline is Wednesday, April 2, 2025. The agribusiness trade mission to the Dominican Republic is one of several USDA-led export promotion initiatives in 2025. Recent trade missions to Thailand and Guatemala yielded successes for U.S. exporters. Application periods have closed for upcoming trade missions to Hong Kong and Peru, and USDA will announce application details for planned missions to Côte d'Ivoire, Mexico and Taiwan soon. To learn more about FAS Agribusiness Trade Missions, visit https://www.fas.usda.gov/topics/trade-missions.   USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

The following GAIN reports were released on March 28, 2025.