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China's demand for imported forages, mainly alfalfa hay, has been affected by weak market demand for dairy products and the falling price of fresh milk. Although dairy consumption remained stable, oversupply of milk became a challenge due to the excessive investment in dairy farming over the last few years.

This report presents regulations and standards applicable to food and agricultural imports, including changes to existing national food safety laws and regulations. In 2023, China released and implemented several new or updated regulations and standards that impact trade.

China’s MY 2024/25 sugar production is forecast at 10.4 MMT as the planted areas for both cane and beet are expected to rise. Given sugar prices are expected to trend down, China’s MY 2024/25 sugar consumption estimate is also forecast to increase to 15.7 MMT.

Eswatini sugar cane production in MY 2023/24 was affected by unfavorable climatic conditions and proliferation of the yellow aphid leaf. This affected cane production and quality resulting to the season ending earlier than normal.

On March 28, 2024, China notified the National Food Safety Standard of Maximum Residue Limits for Pesticides in Foods to the World Trade Organization (WTO) under G/SPS/N/CHN/1299.

On March 12, 2024, the People’s Republic of China (PRC) National Health Commission (NHC) and State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) jointly published 47 new or updated national food safety standards and six amendments.

In 2023, the United States remained the fourth largest exporter of consumer-oriented products to China, with demand for U.S. food processing ingredients, such as tree nuts, dried peas, dried fruit, ginseng, hops, and surimi, experiencing significant growth.

Feed production is forecast lower on declining demand from poultry and livestock producers. Corn production in MY2024/25 is forecast larger than MY2023/24 due to improved yields and a slightly larger planting area, despite government policies encouraging increased soy area and reduced corn area.

The People’s Republic of China’s (PRC) reorganized and restructured its food safety regulatory system in 2018-2019, substantially changing registration procedures and import requirements applicable to U.S. exports of feed and feed additives.

Marketing year (MY) 24/25 cotton imports are forecast at 2.4 million metric tons (MMT) on higher domestic and international demand for textile and apparel products. After a sharp decline in early 2023, exports of textile and apparel products have rebounded, along with demand for imported cotton.