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In Marketing Year (MY) 2023/24, Post forecasts increases in corn and rice production due to improved access to high-quality agricultural inputs and seeds in Venezuela. However, access to financing continues to be the primary constraint to a significant expansion of harvested area.

The UK has a large, well-developed food processing industry, requiring a wide range of ingredients, from low-value, highly processed food to high-value, lightly processed ingredients. This provides many opportunities for U.S. exporters, including wellness and health products.

Following the UK’s departure from the European Union (EU), Great Britain (GB) is now outside of the EU single market and customs union, while Northern Ireland (NI) remains within the EU single market and customs union. Currently, rules in GB closely mirror EU law.

In 2023, the cost-of-living crisis will replace COVID as the key challenge to the UK food and drink sector. Prices have increased at the fastest rate in 40 years, as the war in Ukraine, supply chain issues, and increases in energy prices make an impact.

Since January 1, 2021, the UK has been responsible for authorizing products of genetic engineering (GE) using retained EU law. Eight GE crops are currently out for public consultation as part of the second tranche of approvals under the new UK...

Japan’s National Tax Agency (NTA) proposed 9 new geographical indications (GIs) for alcoholic beverages from the United Kingdom. NTA will accept public comments on the proposal through January 16, 2023.

Despite private sector support for biotechnology, Venezuela’s ban on the domestic use of and research on modern biotechnology-derived agriculture remains in place. The backbone of this ban is the Seed Law of December 2015, which also prohibits the importation of genetically-engineered seeds.

The hospitality industry was one of the hardest hit sectors during the pandemic but bounced back to pre-COVID levels since the full reopening of the sector in March 2022. However, the industry now faces an even bigger challenge with the cost-of-living crisis affecting the UK. Supply shortages, delays to deliveries, and staff shortages are having a significant impact on everyday business operations.

Venezuela's economic recovery continues, strengthening Venezuelans' purchasing power and consumption. As a result, in marketing year (MY) 2022/23 wheat consumption is revised up 4 percent compared to USDA's official forecast, while imports will increase to 1.3 million MT. The United States remains the largest supplier of hard red winter wheat to Venezuela.

Food availability in Venezuela has improved since reaching an all-time low in 2019 as the result of informal dollarization of the economy, lower inflation, increased private sector activity, and a growth in domestic production and imports.

Total meat consumption in Venezuela has declined 68.9 percent since 2013 as a result of the economic collapse. However, a better economic environment since 2019 has led to a stabilization of beef production and significant growth in chicken production. In 2022, beef production is forecast to grow 5 percent from 2021 to 287,803 MT.

Following the United Kingdom’s departure from the European Union, U.S. food exports are now required to follow new UK labeling requirements. Additionally, exporters should consider current labeling trends followed by UK manufacturers and private...