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While output is unchanged, the 2022/23 harvested area is reduced to reflect the abandoned fields in key production areas of Sindh due to last summer’s flooding. The import forecast is increased to reflect the need to supplement the decline in domestic availability.

FAS India forecasts marketing year (MY) 2022/23 coffee production (Oct/Sep) at 6.25 million 60-kilogram bags, nine percent higher than the official USDA estimate on above normal southwest monsoon rains (Jun/Sep) expected to improve yields, especially for Robusta varieties in major growing regions.

On October 31, 2022, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare/Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) published draft amendments [Notification F.No. STD/39-FA/Notification/2022 in the Gazette of India: Extraordinary (Official Gazette)] (Appendix I). The notification was subsequently published on the FSSAI website on November 3, 2022.

On October 31, 2022, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare/Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) published draft amendments [Notification F.No. STD/39-FA/Notification/2022 in the Gazette of India: Extraordinary (Official Gazette)] (Appendix I). The notification was subsequently published on the FSSAI website on November 3, 2022.

On October 27, 2022, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare/Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) published notification F.No. STD/FA/A-1.30/No.1/2020-FSSAI(P-I) in the Gazette of India: Extraordinary (Official Gazette). The notification was subsequently published on the FSSAI website on October 31, 2022.

India remains undecided on genetically engineered (GE) crops, despite its regulatory authorities clearing on the environmental release of GE eggplant and mustard events. Bt cotton (Bacillus thuringiensis) remains the sole crop derived from biotechnology (biotech) approved for commercial cultivation.

Sri Lanka does not produce genetically engineered (GE) crops or animals. There is some GE research at the laboratory level, but there is no commercialization. The lack of a legal framework and biosafety procedures are a major setback; the country is in the process of finalizing regulatory biotechnology policies.

In the past year, there have been no major changes in Kazakhstan’s biotechnology policies, although the government may be making plans to regulate and commercialize agricultural biotechnologies. For the time being, Kazakhstan continues to rely on Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) regulations for guidance on biotechnology issues.

In 2022, after a Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) completed the draft, the National Biosafety Committee (NBC) reviewed a policy on regulating imports of genetically engineered (GE) commodities for food, feed, and processing (FFP). The NBC sent the draft FFP policy to relevant Ministries for further review. Cotton remains the only GE crop approved for cultivation.

With international funding to develop and implement biosafety regulatory systems drying up in 2019, Caribbean biosafety regulatory efforts remain in idle mode. The region is seeking further funding from the United Nations Environmental Program/Global...

On September 12, 2022, the Sri Lanka Standards Institution (SLSI) notified draft amendment standards (number 1) to SLS 917:2018 for milk added drinks to the World Trade Organization (WTO). WTO members are invited to submit comments on notification G/TBT/N/LKA/51. The comment period expires on November 12, 2022.

India’s hospitality sector, which was severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, has now recovered to pre-pandemic conditions and sales. The hotel, restaurant and institutional sector owes its rapid recovery to domestic travel and a return to in-person dining and catered events. By the end of 2022, a continued reduction in COVID-19 cases combined with improved consumer confidence for dining out, will drive demand for imported food products.