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On December 28, the General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China (GACC) published Announcement No. 131 of 2022, indicating a change in classification of COVID-19 controls and management was forthcoming. The Announcement states...

On December 26, several authorities of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) issued Announcement No. 132 of 2022 related to the development of an online verification program of several agricultural and related product import tariff quota certificates...

U.S. beef exports to East Asia in 2022 are again on record pace after a record year in 2021. Despite economic uncertainties due to the COVID-19 pandemic, continued global supply chain challenges, and a competitive global beef market, U.S. beef exports to East Asia, both in value and volume, were outstanding in the first half of 2022.

The Japanese food market was valued at $698 billion in 2021 with retail sales accounting for $467 billion (67 percent) and foodservice sales accounting for $231 billion (33 percent). Japan relies on imports from other countries for the bulk of its food supply. The United States is the leading agricultural product supplier with a 23 percent market share in 2021.

Estimated cotton imports for marketing year (MY) 22/23 are reduced to 1.4 million metric tons (MMT) on high carry-in stocks, higher domestic production, weak consumption, and uncertainty concerning the issuance of additional import quota. Consumption is reduced to 7.7 MMT in both MY 21/22 and MY 22/23 on restrictive zero-COVID polices and slower economic growth that has resulted in lower demand for textile and apparel products.

Mandarin (Citrus unshiu) production in Japan continues to gradually decrease along with a falling number of farmers. Overall Japanese citrus consumption fell as the price of imported citrus, including oranges, grapefruit and lemons, increased due to a combination of shipping challenges, inflation, and Japanese yen depreciation.

Japan’s National Tax Agency (NTA) proposed 9 new geographical indications (GIs) for alcoholic beverages from the United Kingdom. NTA will accept public comments on the proposal through January 16, 2023.

This year ATO Osaka organized various promotional activities across western Japan, utilizing print, television, and radio media to reach 15 million consumers (excluding social media). ATO Osaka partnered with local foodservice establishments to promote U.S. beef, pork, cheese, peppers, fruits, nuts, and other ingredients via special menu promotions.

This year ATO Osaka organized USA pavilions at three trade shows in Japan. In July, the ATO exhibited for the first time at FOODEX Kansai, the western Japan version of the USDA-endorsed show held in Tokyo every March. In August, the ATO returned to the Japan International Seafood Show for the first time in three years.

The return of international visitors to Japan has started to offer glimpses of positive economic activity among the hotel and restaurant industries. Hotels experienced guest stay increases of 32.5 percent year over year, to 42.1 million, up 5.8 percent compared to October 2019.

Japan is updating its transport biofuel standards, which will expire in March 2023. In May 2022, Japan pledged to take all available measures to double demand for bioethanol by 2030. Boosting domestic production of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), including alcohol-to-jet SAF, is Japan’s primary focus for meeting that commitment.

On December 2, 2022, the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) published a notice for public comment on 173 products from the European Union (EU) that are applying for protection as geographic indicator (GI) products.