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On May 4, 2022, Ecuador’s President Guillermo Lasso appointed Mr. Bernardo Manzano as his 3rd Minister of Agriculture and Livestock (MAG).

Post forecasts Malaysian crude palm oil (CPO) production in marketing year (MY) 2021/22 at 18.5 million metric tons (MT), an increase of 646,000 MT compared to the previous year. This increase is lower than the USDA official estimate due to the...

Sugar production in marketing year MY 2022/23 is forecast to decrease to 530,000 MT, down five percent from the MY 2020/21 estimate, due to fertilizer and pesticide price increases during 2021, and despite a slight increase in planted area of 1,000 hectares.

Post forecasts that consumption of corn and wheat in Malaysia will marginally increase in Marketing Year (MY) 2022/23, assuming an eventual stabilization of commodity prices following the disruption caused by the crisis in Ukraine.

The food processing industry is an important component of Ecuador’s manufacturing sector. In 2020, the sector contributed $6.5 billion to Ecuador’s gross domestic product and grossed $11 billion in net sales. Excellent sales prospects exist for U.S. food ingredient products to supply this industry.

The Government of Ecuador continues defining the yearly minimum price for local production of corn, rice, and wheat. The Minister of Agriculture supports the reduction of corn area and the shift to other crops that are mainly focused on the export market.

The Malaysian food manufacturing and processing industry is an important component of the country’s economic recovery and growth.

Despite economic constraints and the continued COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. - Ecuador bilateral agricultural trade in 2021 rose to $3.8 billion. In addition, U.S. agricultural exports reached a record $587 million.

The Malaysian food processing industry has been identified as a crucial component of future national economic recovery and growth resulting from the significant disruption of COVID-19 pandemic.

The Malaysia food retail sector was estimated at $18 billion in 2020, and is projected to grow 30 percent to $23 billion by 2025.

This report serves as a road map for U.S. companies exporting to Ecuador. While Ecuador is a challenging market for U.S. food and agricultural products, it is also one of opportunities. Domestic production cannot meet consumer demand, necessitating continued imports.

As Malaysia's economy begins to recover from COVID-19 impacts, U.S. exporters can find strong opportunities in the retail food and food processing sectors. While recovery may take longer in the HRI sector, Malaysians' love of dining out and continued development of tourism will contribute to future growth in this area.