Browse Data and Analysis

On August 24, 2023, the Philippines marked Bt cotton as the 4th genetically engineered crop approved for commercial propagation after corn (2002), rice (2021), and eggplant (2022).

The introduction of E5 gasoline in July 2023 restarted Indonesia’s bioethanol consumption after years of inactivity, albeit to a modest start of an estimated 2 million liters for 2023 due to E5’s price premium in a price sensitive market.

Bite size local news, Post reports and activity summaries wrapped by ATO Hong Kong. In this issue: USA Pavilions Dazzle at Asia Fruit Logistica and Restaurant & Bar Trade Shows; “Night Vibes” Campaign Must be Affordable To Counter Residents Crossing the Border to Spend

On August 1, 2023, Taiwan’s Council of Agriculture (COA) was transformed into the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA). MOA’s total workforce plans to increase from about 4,770 to 5,300 staff, and the administrative budget is expected to rise by TWD 8.3 billion (USD $260 million) to a total annual budget of TWD 158.9 billion (USD $5 billion).

Thailand’s export prices fell a further one percent as the Thai baht continues to weaken.

FAS Manila adjusts marketing year (MY) 2024 raw sugar production down to 1.8 million metric tons, 100,000 metric tons (MT) below USDA Official. Declining sugarcane planting areas and weather disturbances including the ongoing El Niño are expected to affect sugar production.

On September 18, 2023, the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) published draft Provisions on the Protection of Geographic Indication (GI) Products for public comment.

This is an update to a voluntary GAIN report KS2023-0013, Korea's Positive List System for Veterinary Drugs. Information on MRL violations and MRL changes has been added.

FAS China forecasts commercial production of in-shell walnuts to remain unchanged from the previous year at 1.4 MMT in MY 2023/24. Cold winter temperatures in Xinjiang damaged the almond crop this year.

On August 7, 2023, the People’s Republic of China (PRC) notified Measures for the Quarantine Administration of Imported Plant Propagation Materials (Revised Version) to the World Trade Organization (WTO) under G/SPS/N/CHN/1282.

2022 saw the start of the post-pandemic recovery for the hospitality industry in Australia.

FAS Manila forecasts beef imports to remain flat at 200,000 MT Carcass Weight Equivalent (CWE) in 2024 because of low demand for imported beef.