Browse Data and Analysis

On February 15, 2023, Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/334 amending Annexes II and V to Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 lowering the maximum residue levels (MRLs) for clothianidin and thiamethoxam in or on certain products was published in the Official Journal (OJ).

High feed and energy prices and environmental restrictions are pressuring both cattle and swine farmers in the European Union (EU), leading to a reduction in operations.

U.S. beef exports under the EU High Quality Beef (HQB) quota increased by over 2,000 metric tons (MT) in 2022, to 13,438 MT. The quota usage rate increased to 52.9 percent, up from 50.1 percent in 2021, despite an increase in the quota from 23,000 MT in 2021 to 25,400 MT in 2022.

On February 22, 2022, the European Commission (EC) approved two genetically engineered (GE) crops (1 soybean and 1 oilseed rape) for food and animal feed. The two authorizations were published in the European Union’s Official Journal on February 24, 2022, and they remain valid for 10 years.

Despite the increasing costs of production and ongoing HPAI outbreaks, EU chicken meat production is expected to remain stable in 2023. With the easing of COVID restrictions, EU domestic consumption is forecast to increase by 1.4 percent in 2023 following the 1.2 percent growth in 2022.

The European Commission published a draft regulation outlining new rules for the indication and designation of ingredients for wine. The draft regulation also introduces a change to the VI-1 certificate. Stakeholders have until February 23, 2023, to comment.

The COVID-19 pandemic boosted organic food sales in the EU, enabling it to overtake the U.S. market in 2021. However, spiraling inflation combined with high food and energy prices will likely reduce organic food sales in most EU markets in 2022.

On December 6, 2022, the Council of the European Union and European Parliament concluded negotiations on the EU’s Deforestation-Free Supply Chain Regulation.

Following declining production in 2021 due to COVID-19 and outbreaks of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), EU chicken meat production is expected to resume growth in 2022 and 2023. The EU chicken meat trade surplus will decrease as imports are growing and exports will continue to decline. As consumption in hotels, restaurants and institutional (HRI) outlets resumes, demand for inexpensive chicken meat, especially from Brazil and Thailand, is rising.

This report provides guidance on the certificate requirements for agricultural and food products exported to Serbia and includes the certificates that are recognized by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management (MAFWM) in Serbia and the relevant U.S. authorities (U.S. Department of Agriculture/Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture/Food Safety and Inspection Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture/ Agricultural Marketing Service, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration).

The European Commission will allocate €185.9 million (approximately $197.4 million) in 2023 for the promotion of European Union agri-food products. This program will focus on the promotion of agri-food products that align with the objectives of the EU Green Deal and Farm to Fork strategy.

Warm and dry summer conditions have driven the EU’s MY 2022/23 citrus production down to 10.5 million metric tons (MT). The production decline has been especially steep in the case of orange production, which is anticipated to decline by nearly 13 percent.