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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.

While there is still considerable uncertainty regarding implementation, in January 2024 the government approved a system allowing for the resumption of genetically engineered commodity imports.

In marketing year (MY)2024/25, Guatemala is forecast to produce 2.4 million metric tons (MT) of sugar from a harvested area of 242,000 hectares (Ha). Though harvested area is increasing as positive sugar prices in the international market motivate producers to keep up renovation with improved local genetics, overall production is forecast to drop four percent for the estimated harvest of MY2023/24 (2.5 million MT), due to a late start to the rainy season and an extended El Niño year.

The Indian food processing industry is an important driver of the country’s economic growth. It is experiencing significant development and is innovating in the field of processed and packaged foods. The sector significantly contributes to India's gross domestic product (GDP), exports, investment, and employment.

Chile has a modern and developed food and beverage processing industry. The Chilean food sector is the second most relevant export sector in the country after mining. There are significant opportunities for imported food ingredients in Chile, as half of all ingredients used by the food processing industry are imported.

Health Canada is proposing a policy revision for foods derived from somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT), cattle and swine and their progeny.

Peru has a robust food processing industry that is an integral part of its economy. The food industry contributes to nearly 27 percent of the country's industrial gross domestic product (GDP). However, the non-primary manufacturing sector, which encompasses food and beverage production, experienced a decline of 8.1 percent in 2023.

As the Philippines’ economic growth outpaces its neighboring countries, the market presents stronger opportunities this year for U.S. food and beverage ingredients, including wheat, dairy products, poultry, pork, beef, starch products, processed and dried fruits, food preparations, and soy.

Though relatively small, the Costa Rican food processing sector relies on U.S. exporters to maintain critical supply chains. Proximity, reliability, and familiarity help make the United States the preferred supplier for a wide range of food processing ingredients, including wheat, corn, and animal proteins.

For MY 2024/25, Post forecasts cotton area to grow 13 percent compared to the current season, to 1.87 million hectares. Post also forecasts cotton production at a record 15.4 million bales (3.3 million metric tons (MMT)) on the back of significant area increase.

India is gearing up for a record wheat harvest in market year (MY) 2024/2025. FAS New Delhi (Post) forecasts India's wheat production at 112.5 million metric tons (MMT), thanks to the timely and record plantings of wheat, which benefitted from favorable weather conditions from the time of planting through the reproductive growth stages.

Rice export prices further declined 1-3 percent due to the weakening of the Thai baht against the U.S. dollar and the downward price pressure from the new MY2023/24 off-season rice supplies.