Browse Data and Analysis

The Consumer Affairs Agency’s expert committee is expected to conclude its review of Japan’s labeling requirements for genetically engineered foods at the end of March 2018.

On February 1, 2018, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley presented the Government of India’s (GOI) annual budget for Indian Fiscal Year (IFY) 2018/19.

Export prices remain unchanged due to market inactivity. The government delayed its plan to issue a tender for the remaining rice stocks until April.

Chile is the top market for U.S. “consumer oriented products” in South America.

In early February, Ethiopia retendered for 400,000 metric tons of milling wheat after canceling an earlier-made contract because the supplier failed to provide the $10 million performance guarantee.

Russia has harvested its largest grain crop in nearly 40 years, exceeding 134 MMT according to official reports and moving Russia into the number one position of global wheat exporters.

Israel is almost completely dependent on imports to meet its grain and feed needs.

Italy is suffering from a severe summer drought caused by low rainfall (80 percent below average in the first half of 2017) and exceptionally high temperatures for most of the year.

Export prices of white and parboiled rice further declined by 1 to 2 percent while prices for fragrant rice continued to increase.

Saudi Arabia’s barley imports for marketing year (MY) 2017/18 are estimated at 8 million MT, about 6 percent lower than the official USDA estimate of 8.5 million MT.

Export prices declined significantly by 5 to 10 percent as foreign buyers are waiting for new supplies of MY2017/18 off-season rice which will enter the market in the next couple of weeks.

With new mature area entering full production and expectations for above trend yields, the 2017/18 palm oil production forecast is maintained at 38.5 million tons, a 5.5 percent increase from 2016/17.