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On April 8, 2022, the Government of Ethiopia (GOE) passed a directive allowing franco-valuta imports of essential food commodities without foreign exchange permits.

While Venezuela poses unique challenges as an export market, opportunities are growing for U.S. food and agricultural exporters to enter and expand in the market. Domestic production cannot meet consumer demand, leading to a continued dependence on...

On April 13, 2022, the Government of India rescinded its cotton import duty of 10 percent until September 30, 2022. This import duty consists of a five percent basic customs duty and a five percent Agriculture Infrastructure and Development Cess (AIDC), which has been reversed to “Nil” until the end of the Indian cotton marketing year (October/September).

In March 2022, the European Commission published a legislative proposal to revise geographical indications (GIs) legislation. The new measures integrate specific sustainability criteria and aim to achieve a higher level of protection for GIs.

The U.S.-Japan Trade Agreement (USJTA), which entered into force on January 1, 2020, improved market access for U.S. products through the creation of tariff-rate quotas (TRQs) for food wheat, wheat products, malt, processed cheese, whey, glucose and fructose, potato starch, corn starch, and inulin.

On March 29, 2022, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare/Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) issued order number Std/SP-05/Orders/FSSAI [E-1317], pertaining to the Food Safety and Standards (Food for Infant Nutrition) Regulations (2020). The new FSSAI order extends the implementation date of the regulations to October 1, 2022.

The Hong Kong government notified the World Trade Organization that it adjusted the ban on commercial imports of live rodents and lagomorphs to cover only commercial imports of live hamsters effective on April 1, 2022. In 2021, Hong Kong’s global imports of small mammals grew 14 percent to $2.5 million.

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 is accepting the electronic export certificates issued by APHIS and FSIS; and the sanitary and free sale certificates issued by NOAA, FDA and Enterprise Florida, Inc. for food products exported to Panama.

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. Consumers continue to perceive U.S. food products as high quality, wholesome and reliable, which has resulted in continuous growth in demand.

This report outlines updated plant and label registration guidance for U.S. dairy product exporters to Brazil. The USDA Foreign Agricultural Service Office of Agricultural Affairs (OAA) Brasília will continue to provide assistance for U.S. plant registration in Brazil, however, U.S. dairy product exporters will be responsible for product label registration in Brazil.

This report outlines updated plant and label registration guidance for U.S. fishery product exporters to Brazil. The USDA Foreign Agricultural Service Office of Agricultural Affairs (OAA) Brasília will continue to provide assistance for U.S. plant registration in Brazil, however, U.S. fishery product exporters will be responsible for product label registration in Brazil.

At a recent Beijing municipal press conference, authorities announced that effective April 1, 2022, imported cold-chain food products will be rejected if shipped into Beijing without prior inspection appointments at a Beijing Entry Checkpoint.