News from 2023


Agriculture Department discusses National Advisory Committee on Meat and Poultry Inspection on April 25

The US Agriculture Department published a three page notice on April 25, according to the U.S. Government Publishing Office.


USDA Announces 2023 Cotton Loan Rate Differentials

News Release: Washington - The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Commodity Credit Corporation today announced the 2023 crop loan rate differentials for upland and extra-long staple cotton which are applied to the crop loan rate to determine the per bale actual loan rate.


Senators Stabenow, Boozman, Smith, Hyde-Smith Announce Subcommittee Hearings on Commodity Programs, Credit, and Crop Insurance

News Release: WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), Chairwoman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, and John Boozman (R-Ark.), Ranking Member, today announced that the Subcommittee on Commodities, Risk Management, and Trade will hold two hearings titled “Commodity Programs, ...


Canada: Livestock and Products Semi-Annual

The Canadian cattle herd will continue to contract in 2023.


China: Updated Phytosanitary Certificates WTO Notified

China notified to the World Trade Organization (WTO) under G/SPS/N/CHN/1278 two updated phytosanitary certificate templates.


China: National Food Safety Standard Restricting Excessive Packaging for Foods and Cosmetics

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).


Jamaica: Sugar Annual

Post forecasts Jamaica’s sugar production down eight percent to 36,000 metric tons (MT) for marketing year (MY) 2023/2024, an outlook that reinforces a trend already underway with past estimates for this waning industry.


Venezuela: Sugar Annual

Sugar production in Venezuela is forecast to increase by 13 percent to 300,000 MT in marketing year (MY) 2023/24 due to improved access to quality inputs, a reduction in diesel shortages, and higher prices to producers.


Philippines: Sugar Annual

FAS Manila forecasts marketing year (MY) 2024 raw sugar production at 1.9 million metric tons (MT).


China: Sugar Annual

MY 2022/23 cane sugar production is estimated at 7.92 MMT, revised down 1.08 MMT from the USDA official estimate due to lower-than-normal rainfall in Guangxi, China’s largest sugar producing province.


Kenya: Sugar Annual

Kenya’s sugar production is expected to decline in MY 2023/24 to 650,000 metric tons (MT) due to lower area harvested as Kenya farmers prematurely harvest sugar cane in MY 2022/23 to meet Kenya’s increasing milling demand.


Poland: First Polish Pig Farm Tested ASF-positive in 2023

On April 14, 2023, the first outbreak of African swine fever (ASF) in pigs in Poland in 2023 was announced.


European Union: EU Early Alert - Pesticide Review - March 2023

The European Union (EU) follows a complex, rolling system of review for active ingredients and Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs) in food.


Paraguay: Grain and Feed Annual

Posts projects Paraguay’s wheat production for marketing year (MY) 2023/2024 to increase to 1.25 million metric tons (MMT), with exports rising to 410,000 MT. Brazil is projected to be the main destination, accounting for approximately 90 percent of Paraguayan exports.


Malaysia: Food Processing Ingredients

The Malaysian food manufacturing and processing industry is an important component of the country’s economic growth and has seen significant development and innovation for shelf stable products as consumer demands increase.


European Union: Grain and Feed Annual

In MY 2023/24, EU’s grain production is anticipated to reach 285 MMT, up from the 267 MMT registered the previous season, when a severe drought pushed yields down.


Brazil: Sugar Annual

Brazil’s Marketing Year (MY) 2023/24 sugarcane crop is forecast to reach 661.4 million metric tons (MMT), which is 6.5 percent larger than MY 2022/23, because of favorable weather conditions and high sugar prices.


Bangladesh: Biweekly Price and Policy Update Week of 9 April 2023

This is a biweekly report outlining the prices of agricultural commodities in Bangladesh, as well as major trade and policy updates.


Hong Kong: The Hong Kong Wonton - Volume 3 Issue 8

Bite size local news, Post reports and activity summaries wrapped by ATO Hong Kong. In this issue.


Japan: Updated Guide to New Phytosanitary Certificate Requirements of Japan

From August 5, 2023, Japan will begin to strictly require phytosanitary certificates (PC) for a broad range of previously exempted agricultural imports.