On September 13, 2024, China's National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment (CFSA) released Requirements for Application Materials for Safety Evaluation of Genetically Modified Microorganisms Used in Food Processing (Trial), which allows genetically modified microorganisms (GMMs) derived products without residual of exogenous genes and GMMs to be used as new food raw materials and new varieties of food-related products in addition to food additives.
FAS China attended the annual China Pea Conference and Plant-Based Congress, which was held in Shanghai, July 2024. This report provides the U.S. pea growers, exporters, and practitioners with pertinent updates on trade, challenges, and trends in peas, pea protein, and plant-based alternative products, as gathered intel from the conference. Please note that USDA does not officially endorse or support the accuracy of unofficial quantitative data taken from the presentations and/or discussions.
China continued to be the world's largest food importing country in 2023, with total food imports valued at $140 billion. The United States was the 4th largest source of China's imports of consumer-oriented agricultural products in 2023. U.S. agricultural products are generally competitive in the China market and sought by local importers and end-users for their high quality. Particularly in the categories of Tree Nuts and Soup & Other Food Preparations, the United States ranked No. 1 in terms of market share among all other exporting countries. Beef, pistachios and almonds, cheese, pet food, wine, non-alcoholic beverages, and ginseng show great potentials.
On October 8, 2024, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA) announced the registration of 30 genetically engineered (GE) corn and soy varieties, including 27 GE corn varieties and three GE soybean varieties. The second list of GE corn and soybean varieties was released initially for public comment on March 19, 2024. This report provides a link to a previous report containing an unofficial translation of the 30 GE corn and soybean varieties along with their yield performance information.
This report presents regulatory requirements and standards that must be fulfilled to export food and agricultural products to Ethiopia. The report contains pertinent information on applicable laws, regulations, directives, guidelines, procedures, and key regulatory contact details. It is recommended that this report be read with the FAIRS Export Certificate Report for a comprehensive understanding of the import regulatory requirements and standards.
Germany is the largest market for food and beverages in the European Union importing USD 69 billion worth of consumer-oriented agricultural products in 2023. The food retail sector is saturated, highly consolidated, and competitive. There is good sales potential in Germany for U.S. exporters of beef, nuts, fish and seafood products, beer and wine, and food preparations. The German Farmers Union (DBV) estimates that 80 to 90 percent of consumed products in Germany are consumer-oriented processed products. The war in Ukraine raised prices for energy, feed, and fertilizer, and subsequently groceries. As a result, many German consumers have cut back spending on both essential and non-essential products.
FAS Jakarta and FAS Hanoi teamed up with U.S. Mission to ASEAN to organize a woman farmers' roadshow bringing two U.S. woman farmers to Vietnam and Indonesia. The Nebraska rancher and Maryland farmer raised awareness of women's role in agriculture ahead of the International Year of the Woman Farmer in 2026. While in Indonesia, the two speakers led a seminar attended by local woman farmers, agricultural extension workers, students, researchers, and faculty members from Indonesia's leading agricultural university Bogor Agricultural University (IPB). They shared their experiences and best practices in agribusiness and discussed shared concerns and proposed ways to advocate for woman farmers' equal access to resources and opportunities.
Mexico's retail sector remains a dynamic industry with sales reaching $78.4 billion in 2023. Although the majority of consumers still turn to traditional markets, modern chains like Walmart and Soriana continue to attract middle and high-income consumers. Additionally, e-commerce, including grocery and food apps, have increased in popularity with a growing preference for convenience and easy access to goods and services. Retail trends include private label products, healthy snacks and confectionary goods, and plant-based alternatives for meat and dairy. Asian foods and sauces are increasing in popularity due to the growing Asian population, and as popular U.S. Asian food trends, particularly Japanese and Korean cuisine, cross the border
The Philippine Department of Agriculture issued Department Order No. 16 (2024) on October 1, 2024, requesting the Bureau of Customs to continue imposing price-based special safeguard (SSG) measure on thirteen (13) agricultural tariff lines and impose price-based SSG on four (4) additional agricultural products. The Department Order takes effect immediately. The trigger prices for the various agricultural products were previously submitted to the World Trade Organization (WTO) in September 2002. However, the Philippines has yet to notify the WTO on its decision to continue applying SSG, pursuant to the WTO Safeguards Agreement.
Starting October 1, 2024, the Philippines moved to a B3 or 3 percent coco-methyl ester (CME) biodiesel mandate, from 2 percent previously. The blend will gradually increase to 4 percent in October 2025, and to 5 percent in October 2026. An estimated 900 million coconuts are needed to produce the 100-120 million liters of CME needed to comply with a 1 percent mandatory increase in CME blend.
Effective October 1, 2024, authority for Spanish import controls of agricultural products for human consumption has been transferred from the Ministry of Health to the authority of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPA). Official border controls are now reorganized into a common integrated system for the import of food and related products. The new streamlined system intends to guarantee unity of action and simplify administrative procedures for imports by merging all plant and animal health inspectors under one authority.
Rice export prices, particularly white and parboiled rice, dropped 5-11 percent from the previous week due to competition from Indian rice and the weakening of the Thai baht.
For more information, or for an archive of all FAS GAIN reports, please visit gain.fas.usda.gov/.
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