Browse Data and Analysis

On March 12, 2024, the People’s Republic of China (PRC) National Health Commission (NHC) and State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) jointly published an Announcement on releasing 47 new or updated National Food Safety Standards (known as Guo Jia Biao Zhun, or GB Standards) and 6 amendments sheets.

China remained the world's largest seafood producer in 2023, with official production estimated at 71 million metric tons (MMT), up 3.5 percent from 2022.

FAS Bangkok forecasts Thailand’s rice and corn production to marginally increase in MY 2024/25 along with expanded acreage in response to current attractive farm-gate prices. In 2025, Thailand will likely export 7.5 million metric tons of rice or well above its 5-year average.

From March 4-6, 2024, 26 representatives from all ten member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Timor-Leste participated in a USDA-funded agricultural biotechnology workshop - along with dozens of private sector stakeholders at the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta, Indonesia.

FAS Manila forecasts MY 2024/25 milled rice production will increase to 12.125 million MT as the country emerges from the current El Nino and government spending on inputs and machinery contributes to increased yield.

On February 2, 2024, Vietnam's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) issued Circular 01/2024/TT-BNNPTNT, announcing the List of Harmonized System (HS) codes for Goods under MARD's state management and the List of Imported and Exported Goods subject to Specialized Inspections in the agricultural sector.

Breaking with historical practice, Korean soybean crushers began operating below full capacity in mid-2023 and are forecast to further reduce crush volume into marketing year (MY) 2024/25. Soybean imports are forecast to recover slightly from MY 2023/24, but will still remain below average levels on sluggish crushing demand.

On March 1, the Government of Indonesia’s Halal Product Assurance Agency (BPJPH) listed five U.S. halal certifying bodies (HCBs) on its website as fully accredited to issue halal certificates for U.S. products destined for the Indonesian market.

Rice export prices dropped 2-3 percent as the Thai baht weakened and new MY 2023/24 off-season rice supplies entered the market.

The PRC National Standard (Guo Jia Biao Zhun, or 'GB') for Natural Casings - GB/T7740-2022 was issued on October 12, 2022, and implemented on May 1, 2023.

On March 19, 2024, the People’s Republic of China (PRC) National Crop Variety Registration Committee (CNCVRC) published a second variety registration list for genetically modified (GM) corn and soybeans.

On March 13, 2024, the National Health Commission (NHC) announced approval of 23 new food materials and additives, of which three are products derived from Genetically Modified Microorganisms (GMMs).