| The following GAIN reports were released on June 18, 2025. _______
On June 10, 2025, seven ministries of the People's Republic of China (PRC) jointly announced a nation-wide acceleration of digitalization of the food industry. The announcement sets digitalization targets for China's food industry for 2027 and 2030, and includes implementation plans and projects for key processes and services. This report provides an unofficial translation of the announcement and implementation plan. Stakeholders should conduct their own review of the policy to assess any market effect on their business. In 2024, U.S. agricultural exports to El Salvador totaled $888 million, a 3 percent increase from 2023. Notably, exports of consumer-oriented products rose by 23 percent, from $364 million to $447 million, surpassing Guatemala and Nicaragua, which had ranked as the top two suppliers in this category in 2023. The leading U.S. consumer-oriented exports to El Salvador by value were soups and other food preparations, pork and pork products, dairy, poultry meat, and condiments and sauces. Hong Kong's economic growth reached 2.5 percent in 2024, at the lower end of most forecasts. Although Hong Kong government (HKG) officials have taken a number of measures to boost tourism, investment, and economic activity, the city continues to face headwinds including high interest rates and a slumping housing market, which have impacted demand for imported food and beverages. Despite these challenges, Hong Kong's transparent import regulations, status as a free port and regional hub for transshipment to other markets in Asia, and concentration of high-income consumers make it an appealing and competitive market for U.S. agricultural products. Key U.S. consumer-oriented commodity imports include beef, poultry, seafood, tree nuts, fresh fruit, wine and spirits, and a wide range of prepared foods and snack foods. On May 8-9, 2025, FAS Jakarta and U.S. Embassy Dili led the first agricultural trade delegation of U.S. industry groups in Timor-Leste. The delegation met with senior government officials, importers, and private industry to explore opportunities for U.S. commodities. After fruitful B2B discussions, the industry group representatives anticipate a combined export potential of $22.7 million annually in the short term, with U.S. poultry exports projected to reach a record $20 million in 2025. Even higher projections are anticipated once Timor-Leste ascends to ASEAN later this year as it gains more favorable market access to ASEAN's 10 other member states. Timor-Leste is considering launching food processing and agribusinesses in the area designated for an industrial park near its new deepwater port, which could also provide opportunities for U.S. ingredient exports. In 2024, the United States accounted for around 4 percent of Timor-Leste's $300 million imports of agricultural and related products. On June 9, 2025, the Israeli Ministry of Environmental Protection published a request for public comments on changes to the Deposit Law on Beverage Containers. The amendment could impact U.S. exports to Israel for beverage products which would need to abide by new laws related to labeling, registration, and plastic container requirements. The publication is only open for public comment until June 30, 2025, 23:59 (Israel Standard Time). The Consumer Affairs Agency (CAA) of Japan proposed revisions of Japan's maximum residue levels for five agricultural chemicals (Esprocarb, Ethaboxam, Picarbutrazox, Polyoxorim zinc, and Trifloxystrobin) for various agricultural commodities. In addition, the CAA announced a draft public notice about a special application process for the Positive List for Apparatus, Containers and Packaging (ACP). By June 19, 2025, interested U.S. parties should submit their comments to PlantDivision@usda.gov for plant products, TFAA.FAS.AnimalDivision@usda.gov for animal products, and PPTRD@usda.gov for processed products. The CAA will also notify these proposed revisions to the World Trade Organization. Sales in Japan's frozen food market have been increasing year by year, reaching a record high in 2023. Several factors have led to this growth, including an increase in time spent at home during the COVID-19 pandemic, a rise in dual-income households leading to greater demand for convenience, and ongoing price inflation. Frozen foods in Japan are generally categorized into two types: prepared (processed) frozen foods and frozen ingredients such as vegetables and fruits. Thus far, imports have mainly consisted of frozen ingredients. The market is expected to continue expanding in the coming years. Although currency exchange rates and transportation costs have made it somewhat more difficult to export food ingredients for food service use, there is still a strong consumer willingness to spend on convenience and time-saving products. This trend suggests opportunities to explore new export strategies for the Japanese market. Mexico's potato production is estimated at 2.28 million metric tons (MMT) in marketing year (MY) 2025/26 (July 1 – June 30), four percent higher than the estimated MY 2024/25 production due to seasonal rains in several potato-producing states in mid-2024, easing drought conditions. Total MY 2025/26 planted area is estimated at 63,000 hectares (ha), including 17,500 ha in Sonora, the main potato production state. Mexico's total domestic consumption is forecasted at 2.78 MMT for MY 2025/26, three percent higher than the previous MY estimate, reflecting increasing consumer awareness of and demand for U.S. fresh potatoes. MY 2025/26 fresh potato imports are estimated at 0.225 MMT, five percent higher than the previous MY estimate based on projected increased consumption. New Zealand continues to be an important market for U.S. agricultural exports. In 2024, New Zealand's imports of U.S. agricultural products rose by $50 million compared to 2023 to $571 million. Despite its relatively small population, the country is a top market for U.S. exports including dairy, citrus, grapes, distillers dried grains, and soybean meal. New Zealand is also a key market for consumer-oriented products, including grocery products such as prepared foods and pet food. Overall, New Zealand continues to present many opportunities for U.S. exporters. Pakistan is an important market for U.S. food and agricultural-related products, with U.S. exports surpassing $910 million in 2024. The top U.S. exports to Pakistan were cotton, planting seeds, tree nuts, dairy products, pulses, and forestry products. Pakistan offers opportunities for U.S. food and agricultural exporters, with a growing demand for packaged and processed foods driven by rapid urbanization and a young population. U.S. exporters can tap into Pakistan's growing demand by tailoring their products to local consumers' preferences. This Exporter Guide provides an overview of the market, trends, and recommendations to U.S. exporters on how to conduct business in Pakistan. On June 10, 2025, the Philippine Health Secretary temporarily suspended the implementation of new fees and charges for services under the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) jurisdiction due to concerns from various sectors. The FDA's services impacted by this action include the issuance of a certificate of product registration, a requirement prior to importing food and prepackaged food products for retail sale. During the suspension period, the fees and charges will revert to the rates set in 2001. For more information, or for an archive of all FAS GAIN reports, please visit gain.fas.usda.gov/. | 
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