Browse Data and Analysis

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has approved a Queensland University of Technology (QUT) application to permit food derived from a banana line genetically engineered (GE) for resistance to Panama disease.

A tale of two is emerging for wheat and barley growers in Australia. Those in the eastern states have entered the MY 2024/25 planting season with good soil moisture and a particularly good fall break with widespread rains in the first week of April.

Australia’s sugar production is forecast to increase to 4.2 million metric tons (MMT) in marketing year (MY) 2024/25 from an estimated 4.1 MMT in MY 2023/24. This increase is due to an expected rise in sugar cane crush to 30.5 MMT in MY 2024/25, from an estimate of 29.8 MMT in the previous year.

Sugar production in the Dominican Republic (DR) is forecast to reach 520,000 metric tons (MT) due to favorable rainfall conditions through the first half of marketing year (MY) 2024/2025 (October - September).

Australian oilseed production, dominated by canola, is expected to be strong for the fourth successive season during the marketing year (MY) 2024/25. If realized, canola production of 6.5 million metric tons (MMT) would be 14 percent above the previous year’s estimate and the third largest on record.

Food Standards Australia and New Zealand (FSANZ) have updated the laws on allergen labeling for foods sold throughout Australia and New Zealand. The new allergen labeling laws are called PEAL – Plain English Allergen Labelling.

Wheat consumption in the Dominican Republic (DR) during marketing year (MY) 2024/25 (July 2024/June 2025) is forecast at 490,000 metric tons (MT), unchanged from the previous MY. Dominican wheat imports are forecast to rise to 670,000 MT due to manufacturers’ international expansion plans and growth in the hotel, restaurant, and institutional (HRI) sector.

The Dominican Republic’s food processing industry totaled $2.91 billion for calendar year (CY) 2023 in activities categorized as “food industry,” while processed beverages and other products amounted to $2.68 billion over the same period.

Cotton production in Australia is set for a fourth successive year of high production in marketing year (MY) 2024/25, forecast at 5.5 million bales, which would be the third largest crop. The prospect of average rainfalls over the winter/spring period if realized would establish improved irrigation water availability for growers.

Australian beef supply is forecast to climb after the herd rebuild period ends. The marked slowdown in the growth of the national herd is expected to drive a higher female slaughter rate, increase the overall supply of cattle for slaughter, and boost live cattle and beef exports in 2024.

Australia’s food, beverage, and grocery sectors, contribute to a third of all business activity in the manufacturing landscape.

El Niño conditions for Australia remain present, but this has been pushed aside in late spring and early summer after the eastern states received above-average rainfalls. This situation has prompted a rise in the sorghum production forecast for MY 2023/24 to 1.8 million metric tons (MMT), and the rice production forecast remains strong at 522,000 metric tons (MT) with the support of ample irrigation water.