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In order to support the introduction of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) is going to hold expert committee meetings to discuss the framework of upcoming SAF regulations.

On June 28, 2024, China notified a supplemental Entry Plant Quarantine Pests List to the World Trade Organization (WTO) under G/SPS/N/CHN/1301. China’s SPS Enquiry Point at sps@customs.gov.cn will accept comments on the draft until August 27, 2024. This report provides an unofficial translation of the Announcement and includes the additional pests list as an attachment. Stakeholders should conduct their own review of the regulation and provide comment as necessary.

China is a leading producer of food and agricultural products in the world and one of the top markets for U.S. agricultural exports. Despite China’s slower-than expected economic recovery in 2023, demand for U.S. agricultural and food products remain strong with imports of consumer-oriented products totaling $84 billion.

Fueled by a rebound in hospitality and food service, the Philippine economy outperformed Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia in 2023 despite inflationary pressure. Total U.S. agricultural and related exports to the Philippines reached $3.6 billion in 2023 with U.S. consumer-oriented and intermediate agricultural exports ranking the highest in Southeast Asia.

Taiwan is highly dependent on agricultural imports due to its insufficient farmland. In 2023, it imported $3.66 billion of food and agricultural products, making it US' eighth largest trading partner in agricultural goods. This extraordinary amount is achieved also because Taiwan has one of the highest disposable incomes in north Asia, and consumers generally have positive impressions of U.S. food and beverage products.

Indonesia’s gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 5.1 percent in 2023, making its economy the 16th largest globally. The United States is the second largest supplier of agricultural products to Indonesia with an 11-percent market share in 2023. Major exports include soybeans, wheat, cotton, milk powder, feeds and fodders, dairy, fresh fruit, and beef and beef products.

Marketing Year (MY) 2024/25 rice production and consumption forecasts remain unchanged since the April 2024 Grain and Feed Annual Report. Post revised MY 2023/24 rice imports down based on the import tender fulfillment pace by the Korean government. Progress allocating the 2024 rice tariff rate quota (TRQ) has been favorable for the United States, but local distribution of imported U.S. table rice has not kept pace, as auctions remain suspended since November 2023.

Higher feed demand from broiler, aquaculture, and ruminants will push total feed use slightly higher in MY2024/25 with greater corn inclusion into feed rations than previous years. MY2024/25 corn production is forecast larger than MY2023/24 with larger yields.

On June 27, 2024, China’s Food Safety Standards Monitoring and Evaluation Department of the National Health Commission (NHC) released a letter soliciting public comments on fourteen National Food Safety Standards and related regulations.

On June 26, Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries affirmed that it would increase the tariff-rate quota volumes for butter to 14,000 MT, but would leave non-fat dry milk (NFDM) unchanged at 750 MT.

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

All foods sold in Australia must comply with a range of laws designed to protect consumer, plant, and animal health. These laws apply equally to imported and locally produced foods.