News from 2023


European Union: European Food Safety Authority Launches Stakeholder Survey on Microorganisms Produced by Biotechnology

The European Commission requested a scientific opinion from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) on microorganisms produced by new developments in biotechnology.


Nigeria: FAIRS Export Certificate Report Annual

This report highlights all major certificates and permits that the government of Nigeria (GON) require for exporting food and agricultural products from the United States to Nigeria. It also complements The FAIRS – Annual Country Report for Nigeria (2023).


Nigeria: FAIRS Annual Country Report

As the global food and agricultural trade continues to integrate, Nigeria has formulated structures, strategies, laws, and food control systems, including regulatory authorities, to enhance public health, food safety, and international trade.


Panama: FAIRS Export Certificate Report Annual

Panama recognizes the certificates and standards of the U.S. regulatory and sanitary inspection system, based on the United States – Panama Agreement regarding certain sanitary and phytosanitary measures and technical standards affecting trade in agricultural products, of December 20, 2006, simplifying requirements for the importation of U.S. food and feed products.


Panama: FAIRS Annual Country Report

New changes to Panama's import requirements reflected in this report are for fresh potatoes, poultry products, and sanitary registrations for pet food, raw materials, ingredients and additives.


Haiti: FAIRS Export Certificate Report Annual

This report describes the major export certificates required by the Government of Haiti for imports of food and agricultural products.


Morocco: FAIRS Export Certificate Report Annual

This report provides information on export certificates that the Government of Morocco requires.


Australia: Grain and Feed Annual

After a record setting winter crop in marketing year (MY) 2022/23, Australia is expected to produce a more subdued, but still strong grain crop in MY 2023/24.


Nigeria: Oilseeds and Products Annual

Despite being one of the largest oil palm-producing countries, Nigeria relies on imports to bridge its supply gap.


Bosnia and Herzegovina: Grain Situation Update

Spring planting in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), which usually takes place in April, is expected to be less costly this year as diesel and fertilizer prices decreased slightly since last year.


Chile: Food Processing Ingredients

Chile has a modern and developed food and beverage processing industry. The Chilean food sector is the second most relevant export sector in the country after mining.


Eswatini: Sugar Annual

Post forecasts sugar cane production in Eswatini will increase by 1.5 percent to 5.6 million MT in MY 2023/24, based on increased available irrigation water, expanded planted area, and a return to trend yields.


Honduras: Sugar Annual

Sugar production and exports are projected slightly up in marketing year (MY) 2024 (October 2023 to September 2024) because of the increase in productivity yields, harvested area, and additional investments made in the sugar sector and increased exports, as the Honduran Sugar Industry fully recovers from the rainy season in November 2022.


Venezuela: FAIRS Annual Country Report

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.


Venezuela: FAIRS Export Certificate Report Annual

This report identifies the export certification requirements for agricultural and food products.


USDA Lifts PACA Reparation Sanctions on Florida Produce Business

News Release: Washington - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that WWD Fruits LLC, doing business as B Fruits, satisfied a $60,725 reparation order issued under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA) involving unpaid produce transactions.


USDA Settles a Packers and Stockyards Case with Geary Livestock Market LLC

News Release: Washington - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) entered into a stipulation agreement with Geary Livestock LLC (Geary), on April 9, 2023, for alleged violations of the Packers and Stockyards (P&S) Act. Under the terms of the stipulation, Geary waived its rights to a hearing and paid a penalty of $2,000.


Japan: Japan Invites Public Comment on the Guidelines for Handling Alcoholic Beverages with Organisms Developed with Genome Editing Technology

On April 21, Japan's National Tax Agency opened a public comment period for the Guidelines for Handling Alcoholic Beverages with Organisms Developed with Genome Editing Technology.


Japan: Japan JFY2022 Minimum Access Rice Tender Results

In Japan Fiscal Year 2022, Japan's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) awarded 677,714 metric tons of rice through the Minimum Access import system.


Italy: Italian Industrial Hemp Overview 2023

In January 2017, hemp cultivation became legal pursuant to Italian law No. 242/2016 promoting hemp cultivation and its industrial uses, leading to a sector revival, with more than 800 farms cultivating 4,000 hectares (ha).