| The following GAIN reports were released on March 25, 2026. _______ Chile's grain sector remains dependent on imports as harvested area continues to decline while domestic demand remains stable. In MY 2026/27, wheat production is projected decrease by 1.7 percent to 1.15 million metric tons (MMT), while imports are forecast at 1.30 MMT, down 3.7 percent, reflecting slightly lower total supply needs. Corn production is projected at 525,000 metric tons (MT), down 4.5 percent, while imports are expected to reach 2.6 MMT, down 3.7 percent, continuing to supply the majority of feed demand from the pork and poultry industries. Declining harvested area for both crops, despite modest yield improvements, will continue to constrain domestic production and reinforce Chile's reliance on imports to meet stable food and feed demand. On February 24, 2026, China notified the WTO of the National Food Safety Standard for Prepared Dishes under reference number G/SPS/N/CHN/1358. This new draft standard stipulates the definitions for prepared dishes, food safety control measures, nutrition and quality requirements, and related physical and chemical indicators. Comments may be submitted to the China's SPS National Notification and Enquiry Center at sps@customs.gov.cn until April 25, 2026. This report provides an unofficial translation of the notified standard. Sugar production in the Dominican Republic (DR) is forecast to reach 580,000 metric tons (MT) in marketing year (MY) 2026/2027 (October–September), supported by stable rainfall conditions during the first half of the marketing year and continued normalization of export operations. Production for MY 2025/2026 is estimated at 550,000 MT, up from 520,000 MT in MY 2024/2025, reflecting steady yield in the eastern production region where most output is concentrated. The continued normalization of export flows following the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) decision to lift the Withhold Release Order (WRO) imposed in 2022 on Central Romana has further strengthened sector confidence, and the DR is expected to meet its U.S. raw sugar tariff-rate quota (TRQ) allocation for fiscal year (FY) 2026. The European Commission (EC) has launched a Call for Evidence for an EU strategy for livestock, scheduled for Q2-2026. This initiative recognizes livestock as an essential component of the EU agricultural sector while addressing complex challenges including but not limited to declining herd numbers, low profitability, environmental concerns, and trade competition. The strategy aims to ensure the EU livestock sector is crisis resilient, globally competitive, and sustainable across all dimensions. Notably, the EC will assess the scope for possible alignment of imported products to EU production standards, including animal welfare requirements following an impact assessment and in compliance with international law. The Call for Evidence seeks input from stakeholders across the livestock value chain, Member States, and civil society on opportunities and solutions to existing challenges. With 83.5 million of the world's wealthiest consumers, Germany is the largest market for dried fruits and nuts in Europe and a very important destination for U.S. almonds, pistachios, walnuts, cranberries, prunes, and other products. In recent years, pistachios are the product with the largest growth among U.S. exports in this category. This report provides marketing, trade, and regulatory information for U.S. exporters. The upcoming national implementation of the renewable energy directive RED III, fraud prevention, ensuring a stable investment climate, and market conditions for biofuels and their feedstocks, were some of the core topics discussed at the 23rd international "Fuels of the Future" congress. In contrast to previous editions, the contribution of renewable fuels to energy security played a much larger role. This report highlights stakeholder comments expressed at the congress. South Africa's grain sector is expected to remain stable and resilient in MY 2026/27 amidst tight margin pressures. Corn area is forecast to hold steady, supported by continued gains in seed genetics and precision agriculture that underpin yield improvements. Ample carry-over stocks from consecutive bumper corn harvests position South Africa to meet both domestic and regional demand. Wheat production is projected to remain stable; however, further expansion is constrained by rising input costs and strong competition from imports. South Africa's role as a regional trade hub continues to strengthen, particularly for rice re-exports, leveraging robust logistics networks and advanced regional retail food infrastructure. Modest growth in grain consumption is anticipated, primarily driven mainly by population growth and deeper regional integration, but will remain limited by subdued economic conditions and persistently high unemployment. On March 13, 2026, The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition published a notice in the government gazette inviting the public to comment on proposed amendments to the anti-dumping regulations. Interested people are invited to submit written comments on the proposed amendments by April 10, 2026. Since 2000, South Africa has imposed an anti-dumping duty of R9.40 (US$0.56) per kilogram on bone-in chicken meat imports from the United States, and it has been renewed every five years after sunset reviews by the International Trade Administration Commission (ITAC). After experiencing a significant shock due to the full-scale Russian invasion in 2022, Ukraine's retail industry made a strong recovery. By 2025, most indicators, including food imports, returned to pre-war levels. Notably, imports of U.S. fish and seafood, nuts, food ingredients, whiskey, wine, snacks, and pet food have been increasing. Average disposable incomes have also risen to pre-war levels; however, certain consumer groups, particularly internally displaced people, continue to face challenges. Geographic proximity, a free trade agreement, and the EU accession agenda have provided EU competitors with a trade advantage. The import situation for food and agricultural products will remain dynamic, facing logistics challenges until the war concludes. On February 27, 2026, Ukraine's State Service for Food Safety and Consumer Protection and USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service negotiated important changes to the Veterinary Certificate for Pet Food Exported into Ukraine from the United States of America. The earlier version of the certificate was negotiated in 2018 and included excessive testing requirements, resulting in a nearly 75 percent drop in export volume from 2019 to 2025. A more liberal trade regime will return U.S. products to the market and provide a level playing field with other suppliers. For more information, or for an archive of all FAS GAIN reports, please visit gain.fas.usda.gov/. | 
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