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The People’s Republic of China’s (PRC) reorganized and restructured its food safety regulatory system in 2018-2019, substantially changing registration procedures and import requirements applicable to U.S. exports of feed and feed additives.

Marketing year (MY) 24/25 cotton imports are forecast at 2.4 million metric tons (MMT) on higher domestic and international demand for textile and apparel products. After a sharp decline in early 2023, exports of textile and apparel products have rebounded, along with demand for imported cotton.

Post forecasts that South Africa’s oilseed area will be maintained at elevated levels in marketing year 2024/25. South Africa’s summer rainfall oilseed crops in marketing year 2023/24 have been affected by an El Niño induced mid-summer drought, resulting in an expected major drop in crop volumes, creating an optimistic outlook for higher crop area in marketing year 2024/25.

On December 29, 2023, the People’s Republic of China (PRC) submitted two major reports related to climate change to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC): the Fourth National Communication on Climate Change (NC4) and the Third Biennial Update Report on Climate Change (BUR3).

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.

South Africa’s corn crop in marketing year 2023/24 has been affected by an El Niño induced mid-summer drought, resulting in an expected drop of more than 15 percent in crop volume.

The South African ports have been overwhelmed with challenges in the past few years, causing delays in operations and financial losses. In 2022, the Container Port Performance Index by the World Bank ranked the port of Durban 341 out of 348 ports in the world and the Port of Cape Town was ranked 344.

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).

From September 26 to 27, 2023, the People’s Republic of China (PRC) National Energy Administration (NEA) organized a meeting on pilot programs for biodiesel promotion and application in Shanghai to learn relevant experience and practices, exchange and analyze the development of the country’s biodiesel industry, and study and deploy next steps.