Browse Data and Analysis

Honduras allows commercial production and field trials of genetically engineered (GE) crops.

The Brazilian MY 2014/15 sugarcane crop is estimated at 619 mmt, down 5 mmt from MY 2013/14, mainly due to weather related problems in the center-southern producing region.

A record Brazilian soybean crop of 94 million metric tons (mmt) is forecast for the 2014/15 marketing year (MY) as a result of increased planted area.

In 2008, El Salvador abolished the Planting Seed Law that required imported seeds to have a phytosanitary certificate with an additional declaration stating that the seeds did not contain GMOs.

Argentina continues to be the third largest producer of biotech crops after the United States and Brazil, producing 14 percent of the world´s total biotech crops.

Continued interest expressed by farmers and agricultural scientists to improve agricultural output via biotechnology has not resulted in a legal framework for either testing or commercializing biotech

Canadian planting of biotech crops is estimated at about 10.2 million hectares for 2014. The main biotech crops remain canola, corn and soybeans, with small amounts of sugar beets added recently.

Biotech regulation has been virtually non-existent in the Caribbean. That may change in the years ahead as twelve Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries move forward with UN Biosafety Frameworks.

Although events occurred over the past year that looked like Chile might move on its biotechnology framework, in the end, Chile is in the same place as it was last year.

The Dominican Republic continues to be a strong market for U.S. bulk agricultural products, intermediate goods, as well as high value consumer-oriented products.

Mexico is well equipped with the knowledge and expertise in agricultural biotechnology. However, the country is at a crossroads due to negative public perception related to biotechnology.

Panama has approved the imports of GM corn seeds for local production, and has conducted GM mosquitoes and salmon field tests.