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In June 2022 the Government of Guatemala confirmed that poultry products exported to Guatemala no longer need the USDA export mark on every box, and instead USDA can apply the mark on every consignment, pallet, or transportation unit. This has resulted in more efficient export clearance times with reduced labor, dock space and loading time which ultimately translates into better poultry prices for consumers.

U.S. exports of consumer-oriented food products to Saudi Arabia decreased four percent in 2021, compared to 2020, to approximately $535 million mainly due to shipping issues (e.g., fewer cargo ships, higher costs, etc.) throughout the year. In June 2022, the Saudi government lifted all COVID-19 restrictions allowing the food service sector to return to pre-pandemic operations while also fully reopening the country to foreign visitors.

This report is an overview and update of Japan's food and agricultural import regulations and standards (FAIRS). For more information on Japan's certification requirements, see the FAIRS Export Certificate Report for Japan.

This report lists major export certificates required by the Japanese government to export food and agricultural products from the United States to Japan. For more information on Japan's import requirements, see the Food and Agricultural Import Regulations and Standards (FAIRS) Annual Country Report for Japan at https://gain.fas.usda.gov/.

In El Salvador there is no specific food law. However, the Ministry of Health’s (MINSAL) Health Code is used to enforce food safety for all food and beverage products. MINSAL is in charge of food and beverage product registration.

This report provides examples for the major export certificates and other documents required by the government of El Salvador for U.S. exports of food and agricultural products. Please note, El Salvador’s import requirements change frequently, and are often subject to discretionary decisions at the point of entry.

With more than 83 million of the world’s wealthiest consumers, Germany is the largest market for food and agricultural products in the European Union. The German market offers good opportunities for U.S. exporters of consumer-oriented food and agriculture products, particularly nuts, fish and seafood products, dried fruits, bakery products, and organic products.

In 2021, exports of U.S. agricultural and related products to Mexico totaled $25.5 billion. In spite of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and logistical challenges, Mexico remained one of the most consistent markets for U.S. food and agricultural exports, especially for foodservice products. Mexico continued to maintain its open-door policy and welcomed 31.8 million international tourists in 2021, which boosted its hotel, restaurant and institutional (HRI) industries following a sharp decline in 2020.

The General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (GACC) recently made updates at the end of September 2022 to the list of products subject to Decree 248, removing 100 and adding 148.

Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) proposed revisions to Japan’s maximum residue levels for 7 agricultural chemicals (Fludioxonil, Flutriafol, Isopyrazam, Pyraziflumid, Pyridalyl, Trinexapac-ethyl and Zoxamide) for various agricultural commodities.

The European Union (EU) follows a complex, rolling system of review for active ingredients and Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs) in food. For agricultural inputs, U.S. farmers must know early in the process of review to prevent or mitigate the loss of, and/or access to, chemical inputs.

On September 2, 2022, the National People’s Congress (NPC) published an updated Agricultural Product Quality and Safety Law of the People’s Republic of China (PRC). Though domestically focused, some articles of the law hold the potential to impact trade, including sections on cold chain logistics and traceability.