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In Spain, wine is an important part of the economy, society, landscape, culture and gastronomy. Spain boasts the world’s largest vine area and is the third largest wine producer in the European Union (EU), after France and Italy.

This report focuses on specific Spanish certification requirements that differ from or are in addition to EU-harmonized certification. Compared to 2023, this report contains new country-specific certificates as well as updated links to relevant information sources and contacts.

This report is an update of GAIN report SP2023-0036. It outlines the legislation applicable to the export of U.S. food products to Spain, particularly focusing on those rules that differ from EU legislation.

On November 7, 2024, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) opened a consultation on risk mitigation options for U.S. packaged honey bees as part of their process for updating the risk analysis for importation of U.S. packages.

Canadian apple production is forecast to see a five percent growth in MY 2024/25, driven by a larger Quebec crop and average Ontario crop. Pear production is forecast to be down nine percent on 2023 numbers as a result of cold impacts to the crop in...

Canada continues to be the largest export market for U.S. consumer-oriented products. In 2023, U.S. consumer-oriented exports to Canada reached $20.2 billion, representing 25 percent of the total value of U.S. consumer-oriented exports worldwide.

The Government of Bulgaria (GOB) continues to oppose agricultural biotechnology. Non-governmental anti-biotech organizations, local activists, and Bulgaria’s organics industry actively spread nonscientific disinformation about biotechnology. Meanwhile, Bulgaria’s poultry, dairy, and livestock stakeholders continue to import biotech-derived feed ingredients.

Canada is the largest overseas market for U.S. high-value, consumer-oriented products, with exports reaching $20.4 billion in 2023 – representing a 2 percent growth from 2022. Canada's retail market is mature and largely consolidated, with five retailers comprising nearly 80 percent of the total retail grocery market.

According to preliminary model-based field crop estimates, spring wheat production in MY 2024/2025 fell one percent over the previous year on a 2.9 percent decline in area planted, partly offset by improved average yields.

As of October 31, at 11 A.M., the Longshoremen’s Union, CUPE Local 375, is on unlimited labor strike action at the Port of Montreal’s two Termont terminals (two of the four container terminals at the Port).

Health Canada opened public consultations on proposed compositional requirements for infant foods and foods currently regulated as foods for special dietary use. Interested stakeholders may submit their comments until December 23, 2024.

FAS/Sofia has revised further downward its estimate for Bulgaria’s MY 2024/25 corn crop to 1.7 million metric tons (MMT) based on the latest harvest data and which, if confirmed, will be the smallest crop since 2012. This is due to the severe summer heat and drought.