Browse Data and Analysis

FAS Manila forecasts Marketing Year (MY) 2024/25 rice imports to reach 4.60 million metric tons (MT), given the implementation of Executive Order No. 62, 2024 that reduced rice tariff rates from 35 to 15 percent.

Guatemala adopted the Central American Regional Technical Regulation RTCA 67.01.31:20, which updates the food product registration process. The regulation entered into effect on August 5, 2024, superseding previous regulation RTCA 67.031:07.

In 2023, the Guatemalan market showed significant potential for growth, with supermarkets, hypermarkets, and independent food stores expanding their locations.

On August 20, 2024, the Philippines notified the World Trade Organization (WTO) of GBT/TBT/N/PHL/336 on the Guidelines on the Adoption of Codex Guidelines for Ready-To-Use Therapeutic Foods (RUTF) (CXC 95-2022) as Technical Regulation.

The Philippines recently notified regulations on follow-up formula or milk supplements and products for young children to the World Trade Organization.

FAS Manila forecasts 2025 beef/carabeef and pork imports at 226,000 and 510,000 metric tons carcass weight equivalent, respectively. Strong economic growth, moderating inflation, and forecast population increases support higher meat imports in 2025.

The Philippines issued Sugar Order No. 5 (SO5) announcing the importation of 240,000 metric tons (MT) of refined sugar, the first sugar import program for marketing year (MY) 2024-2025 which starts in September 2024 and ends in August 2025.

The Philippines is set to resume raw sugar exports to the United States under its sugar quota in August 2024. The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) issued Sugar Order (SO) No. 3 on July 26, approving the export of 25,300 metric tons raw value (MTRV) of raw sugar in fulfillment of the United States tariff rate quota (TRQ) allocation for fiscal year 2024.

Despite record production and ample stocks, the Philippines is forecast to import a record volume of rice. Large imports are spurred in part by high domestic prices and the recent government decision to reduce tariffs from 35 to 15 percent.

Guatemala ranked as the #16 largest U.S. agricultural export market despite a nine percent decline, mainly due to lower imports of bulk commodities in 2023, reaching $1.6 million. It's crucial to remember that Guatemala, relying on foreign exchange by international trade, remittances, and tourism, is the largest economy in Central America, with an estimated gross domestic product (GDP) of $102.8 billion, a 19-million-person market, and relative economic stability.

Fueled by a rebound in hospitality and food service, the Philippine economy outperformed Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia in 2023 despite inflationary pressure. Total U.S. agricultural and related exports to the Philippines reached $3.6 billion in 2023 with U.S. consumer-oriented and intermediate agricultural exports ranking the highest in Southeast Asia.

On June 20, 2024, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. issued Executive Order No. 62 (EO 62) modifying the import duty rates of various commodities. EO 62 provides a multi-year comprehensive tariff schedule and applies to commodities subject to the Most Favored Nation (MFN) rates.