Browse Data and Analysis

Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) proposed revisions to Japan’s maximum residue levels for 9 agricultural chemicals (Etofenprox, Fenpyroximate, Florasulam, Fluensulfone, Tetraconazole, Cloxacillin, 1,2-Dichlorobenzene, Didecyldimethylammonium chloride, and Nicarbazin) for various agricultural commodities.

On May 11, 2022 the National Health Commission (NHC) approved 36 new food materials and additives, including seven enzymes derived from Genetically Modified Microorganisms (GMMs). These approvals follow an earlier announcement issued on March 1 of 32 food materials and additives, including 4 GMM derived enzymes, approved for use in China.

Burma’s aquaculture production and export in MY 2021/22 will remain flat as COVID-19 restrictions and the military coup continue to dampen the economy. Post anticipates lower U.S. soybean meal (SBM) and distiller’s dried grain with solubles (DDGS) exports to Burma in MY 2021/22 in line with slower aquaculture development and changes in foreign currency controls.

Guatemala maintains its 305,000 Ha of coffee, but harvested area is slightly reduced due to higher production costs, both inputs and labor. Production costs raised 32 percent as fertilizer prices continue doubling and migration is negatively impacting labor availability.

On June 2, 2022, the Government of Morocco suspended customs duties on sunflower, soybean, and rapeseed. This measure will take effect starting June 3, 2022 and continue until further notice. This decision is intended to protect citizens’ purchasing power in the face of rising global prices of various essential goods.

Morocco notified G/SPS/N/MAR/84 on May 12, 2022. An unofficial translation is included in this report. Comments are due no later than July 11, 2022. The notification concerns shelf life and storage temperature requirements for cheese and cheese products.

In 2021, according to Romania’s National Institute of Statistics (NIS), Romania imported $182 million of U.S. food and agricultural products, up 2.7 percent compared to 2020. According to the U.S. Census Bureau's bulk, intermediate, and consumer-oriented (BICO), U.S. suppliers shipped $84 million of U.S. food and agricultural products to Romania in 2021.

On April 24, 2022, China’s National Feed Industry Standardization Technical Committee issued a notice to collect industry input and suggestions on the establishment or amendment of national pet food standards.

On May 19, 2022, the European Commission (EC) approved two genetically engineered (GE) crops (1 soybean and 1 corn/maize) for food and animal feed. The two authorizations were published in the European Union’s Official Journal on May 20, 2022, and they remain valid for 10 years.

The French food processing sector encompasses approximately 15,500 companies ranging from small family-owned businesses to some of the world’s largest multinationals. Widely regarded for global leadership in innovative technology, quality and marketing, French food processing companies provide employment to more than 433,000 people, generating $53 billion in export sales.

The Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and Food Supply (MAPA) published Ordinance 558, which establishes procedures for accreditation, modification, audit, and cancellation of edible animal-origin products registration in Brazil.

Mexico coffee production for marketing year (MY) 2022/23 is projected at 3.84 million 60 kg/bags, on optimal weather conditions during the fruit development stage in the top producing states that will improve yields, and sustained strong global prices that will incentivize optimal harvest.