Browse Data and Analysis

The Venezuelan private sector supports biotechnology use and application. Nevertheless, the Venezuelan authority maintains a ban on the domestic use and research of modern biotechnology-derived agriculture.

FAS estimates Venezuela corn production at 1.36 million metric tons for the new market year (MY) 2024/2025 on a planted area of 350,000 hectares. Significant economic uncertainty persists following the July 28, 2024, presidential election, and higher inflation and a scarcity of U.S. dollars will likely inhibit increased corn acreage and limit yields.

Since 2014, Venezuela’s total meat consumption has declined 57 percent due to prolonged economic downfall. Nevertheless, since 2019, an improved economic environment has led to stabilized beef production and significant growth in the poultry sector. In 2024, total per capita meat consumption is forecast to be 32.4 kilograms, growing 83 percent from its 2018 record low.

Uruguayan beef exports in 2025 are forecast to remain unchanged at 475,000 tons carcass weight equivalent (cwe). The final volume will depend on how active Chinese buyers are the remainder of the year and FOB prices. Exports to the United States are projected to remain high.

This report outlines market conditions and opportunities for U.S. agricultural exports to expand or enter the Venezuelan market. While the economy stagnated in 2023, Venezuela is the sixth largest South American destination for U.S. agricultural and related product exports.

In calendar year 2023, Venezuelan agricultural imports dropped 8 percent year-on-year to $2.7 billion. By volume, however, agricultural imports increased 4 percent year-on-year owing to a decrease in import prices. Agricultural imports from the United States totaled $675 million, down 9 percent from 2022.

This report identifies the export certification requirements for agricultural and food products. The Venezuelan ministries issue import permits, import licenses, and register processed food products.

This report is an annual update of Venezuela’s agricultural product import standards and enforcement mechanisms for U.S. exporters of agricultural commodities, foods, and beverages.

Uruguayan wheat production in marketing year (MY) 2024/2025 is forecast at 1.3 million tons, 260,000 tons lower than the previous crop season which saw record high yields. Wheat exports are projected down at 800,000 tons, 29 percent lower than the previous year.

Post forecasts Uruguay’s marketing year (MY) 2024/25 soybean up to 3.4 million metric tons (MMT) on increased soy acreage planting, driven by increased acreage in second or late crop soy due to producers fears of another dry year of La Niña weather pattern and potential disease threat to corn, preferring soy over corn.

Marketing year (MY) 2024/2025 Venezuelan sugar production is forecast to increase to 373,000 metric tons due to favorable yields, increased access to quality inputs, improved prices for producers and better sugar industry profit margins.

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.