Browse Data and Analysis

Chicken meat production is forecast to show moderate growth in 2024, based on a steady demand for this protein source.

Wheat area rose to its highest level since 2001, at the expense of oats, rye, mixed grains, and lentils. Export volumes of wheat grain year-to-date (August to May) are up 78 percent over the same time last year, and wheat products (in grain equivalent) are up 21 percent.

Raisin production in Chile relies almost exclusively on table grape production that does meet quality levels for fresh exports. It also became a profitable alternative for orchards with traditional table grape varieties that are facing low prices in international markets.

Canada is the largest overseas market for U.S. high-value, consumer-oriented products, with exports reaching nearly $19.7 billion in 2022 – representing 24 percent of the total value of U.S. consumer-oriented exports worldwide, more than doubling the value of the next largest market.

On June 20, 2023, the Government of Canada announced next steps in their sustainable approach to pesticides management. As part of the announcement, Canada will restart the process of evaluating pesticide residue limits for increases, following a pause of this activity since August 2021.

In 2022, the Chilean retail food industry witnessed a robust recovery, with total sales reaching approximately $29.5 billion, a 20.9 percent over 2021. Supermarkets and grocery stores remained the primary retail channels for food products, accounting for around 55.5 percent of the market share.

The federal government opened consultations on regulatory changes to the Food and Drug Regulations to allow the incorporation by reference of food compositional standards.

Canada intends to establish a regulatory framework for plastic packaging, covering minimum recycled content requirements, and rules for compostability, and the use of recyclability signs on packaging.

Chile is the second-largest South American market for U.S. agricultural products. Solid political institutions and a stable macroeconomic environment, combined with high consumer purchasing power, make Chile a lucrative market for U.S. producers of wheat, cheese, pet food, alcoholic beverages, and other consumer-oriented products.

In MY 2022/23, FAS Santiago estimates lemon production will increase by 26.4 percent and total 172,000 MT (metric tons) due to favorable climatic conditions. Lemon exports will increase by 33.9 percent and reach 75,000 MT due to higher productions and a decrease in freight costs.

On May 3, 2023, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Agriculture, Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) published updated regulatory guidelines supporting the introduction of gene-edited seeds into the Canadian market.

In marketing year (MY) 2022/23, FAS Santiago estimates that table grape production will decrease by 8.6 percent reaching 720,000 metric tons and that exports will decrease by 8.7 percent, totaling 555,000 metric tons.