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On June 1, the National Health Commission (NHC) issued a public letter soliciting comments on its 2022 plan for the National Food Safety Standards Project. The notice identified 41 national food safety standards the NHC intends to develop or revise in 2022. This report contains an unofficial translation of the Letter and plan.

The National Health Commission (NHC) recently approved, in two separate announcements, 68 new food materials and additives, of which 11 are enzymes derived from Genetically Modified Microorganisms (GMMs).

On June 8, 2022, China’s National Crop Variety Registration Committee (NCVRC) published “National Registration Standards for Genetically Engineered Soybean Varieties (Trial)” and “National Registration Standards for Genetically Engineered Corn...

Rice export prices decreased due to the weakening of the Thai baht.

Economic conditions in Bangladesh have created significant opportunities for U.S. agricultural exports, particularly consumer-oriented commodities including tree nuts, condiments and sauces, fruit juice and non-alcoholic beverages, snacks, and baking ingredients.

Post forecasts consumption of cotton in the Malaysian textile industry at 290,000 bales in marketing year (MY) 2022/23, a 3.3 percent drop from the previous year post’s estimate. The expected reduction is based on textile companies shifting their operation to other South-East Asian countries as the cost of labor increased in Malaysia with the revision of new minimum wages on April 1, 2022.

FAS Manila maintains 2022 pork production while increasing imports 25,000 MT to 400,000 MT, reflecting improved market access conditions. No changes are made to the chicken PSD.

Thailand doubled its target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in COP26. The Thai government has yet to finalize the new biofuel consumption targets. Biofuel consumption in 2021 and 2022 is still far below current targets due to the prolonged outbreak of COVID-19 and the slow economic recovery after the pandemic caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The following changes have been made to the 2022 FAIRS report: 1) Section II – Labeling. Effective December 1, 2023, food containing hydrogenated oils must be labeled. 2) Section III – Packaging. Glass and plastic bottles will be subject to additional levies. 3) Section VI – Other Requirements, Regulations, and Registration Measures.

Japan’s Consumer Affairs Agency (CAA) will add walnuts to list of allergens that product manufacturers and importers must include on the label of packaged products containing walnuts. Currently, CAA strongly recommends including walnuts on the label, but does not require their inclusion.

The United States is the largest bilateral agricultural trading partner without a free trade agreement with Vietnam. This report summarizes the tariff and non-tariff competition that U.S. agricultural products face in Vietnam, as the result of the numerous bilateral and regional free trade agreements that Vietnam has signed with other trading partners.

Rice export prices decreased one percent due to the weakening of the Thai baht.