Browse Data and Analysis

On April 15, 2023, Poland introduced an entry ban on certain agri-food products from Ukraine, amid difficult economic situation of famers on a domestic market. Following intensive negotiations with the Ukrainian side, since April 21, 2023, transit of Ukrainian agricultural products through the Polish territory is allowed, while the import ban on agri-food goods from Ukraine is maintained until June 30, 2023.

In January 2017, hemp cultivation became legal pursuant to Italian law No. 242/2016 promoting hemp cultivation and its industrial uses, leading to a sector revival, with more than 800 farms cultivating 4,000 hectares (ha).

Spring planting in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), which usually takes place in April, is expected to be less costly this year as diesel and fertilizer prices decreased slightly since last year. Corn in marketing year (MY) 2023/2024 is expected to be planted on 202,000 hectares (HA) with anticipated production of 900,000 metric tons (MT).

The European Commission requested a scientific opinion from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) on microorganisms produced by new developments in biotechnology.

On April 10, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA) Plant Variety Protection Office published a notice “Further Clarifying the Submission Requirements for Sexual Propagation Materials,” related to plant variety rights.

On April 14, 2023, the National Development Reform Commission (NDRC) published Announcement No. 369 on Implementation Measures for Improving the Target Price Policy for Cotton.

The General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (GACC) recently updated the list of products subject to Decree 248 and has not notified these changes to trade partners.

By early April 2023, many Ukrainian official agencies and private companies published their end-of-the-year results. This report provided valuable insight into wartime macroeconomic and agricultural developments.

EU27 sugar production forecast for market year (MY) 2023/24 is projected at 15.3 million metric tons (MMT), resulting from reduced beet acreage in France and increased plantings in other member states.

On April 12, 2023, the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA) jointly published a draft “Implementation Opinions of SAMR and MARA on Carrying Out Crop Seed Certification" for comment.

The area planted in sugar beets in MY 2023/24 is forecast marginally higher as some farmers will likely switch to growing beets in hopes of better returns. Despite this increase in acreage, beet sugar production is projected to remain flat year-to-year at 3 million metric tons because of drought conditions.

In August 2021, the People’s Republic of China (PRC) State Administration of Market Regulation (SAMR) released an updated National Food Safety Standard Restricting Excessive Packaging for Foods and Cosmetics (GB 23350-2021).