Browse Data and Analysis

On September 13, 2024, The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security, and Nature presented a plan to address the Dutch manure crisis. This crisis is caused by the (gradual) loss of a Dutch manure derogation under the Nitrate Directive (EU Council Directive 91/676/EEC), and has posed significant difficulties for farmers, while incurring high costs.

After hitting low levels in MY 2023/24, Spain’s cotton production is set to rebound in MY 2024/25. Exports remain the main outlet for Spain’s cotton lint production. The projected recovery in production should allow exports to bounce back to average levels.

On September 13, 2024, the Dutch Cabinet presented its government program for Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security, and Nature, outlining key initiatives and commitments for the coming years.

In 2023, the European Union (EU)-27 imported $6.5 billion in tree nuts from the world. The EU remains a net importer of tree nuts for all products as demand highly exceeds domestic production. The United States is the largest EU-27 tree nuts supplier, providing $2.4 billion worth of nuts, or 37 percent of total imports.

Both EU beef and pork production, as well as exports, are forecast to temporarily increase this year. Beef production will increase because of high carcass and beef prices combined with an overall dim outlook for the sector, incentivizing farmers to slaughter their cattle.

Driven by strong internal demand, EU chicken meat production is expected to continue growing in 2024 and 2025. In 2025, Poland will remain the largest EU chicken meat producer, accounting for more than 22 percent of total EU production.

In 2023, French food and agricultural imports from the United States reached $1 billion. While exporting to France can be challenging, there are many opportunities for U.S. suppliers.

Post forecasts Ukraine’s walnut production at 101,300 metric tons (MT) for marketing year (MY) 2024/25, a 4 percent decrease against MY2023/24. Household production continues to slide as old, non-productive trees are being chopped down.

FAS/Sofia estimates a reduction in Bulgarian oilseeds crops in marketing year (MY) 2024/25 due to extremely hot and dry weather conditions in July and August. FAS/Sofia estimates the rapeseed crop at 190,000 metric tons (MT), down nine percent from last year and 36 percent from two years ago.

Central Asia is a diverse, important corner of the world and a growing market for U.S. goods. Agricultural imports from the world for Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, and Uzbekistan totaled $11.6 billion in 2023 and have nearly doubled over the last three years, with the United States as the 11th largest trade partner at $196 million.

Ukraine introduced procedures for the approval of minimum export prices for selected bulk commodities, including grains, oilseeds, vegetable oils and meals, walnuts, and honey.

Turkish cotton production in Marketing Year 2024/25 is projected to increase to 870,000 metric tons due to better weather and improved yields, in addition to forecast increases in area. Consumption is forecast to remain stagnant at 1.55 million metric tons.