Browse Data and Analysis

On February 3, 2023, China notified a new national standard to the World Trade Organization (WTO) restricting excessive packaging for edible agricultural products (G/TBT/N/CHN/1715). The deadline for comment submission is April 4, 2023.

On February 13, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) Central Committee and the People’s Republic of China (PRC) State Council published the 2023 “No. 1 Document,” providing broad guidance for resource allocation and development goals in China’s agricultural sector. Food security remains a top focus with priority given to boosting production of grains and oilseeds and various policies to support farmer income and improvements in rural China.

In 2022, the total value of all U.S. agricultural and related products exported to the People’s Republic of China (PRC) reached a record $40.9 billion, an increase of 14.5 percent compared to the previous year.

As the PRC dismantles it’s zero-COVID policy measures, there is great optimism about the economy and, particularly, the HRI sector. Stakeholders expect a rebound in travel to fuel recovery in hotels, restaurants, and other outlets.

The People’s Republic of China decision to end COVID restrictions is expected to bolster economic activity which will facilitate food service business and improve demand for certain chicken meat products in 2023.

Since the implementation of the U.S.-China Phase One Economic and Trade Agreement in 2020, U.S. pet food exports to China have experienced significant grown. Earlier this year, the United States overtook Canada as the largest exporter of pet food to China.

With the easing of Zero-COVID restrictions, China-based trade shows expect considerable international interest. This report includes a list of food, agriculture, fish and forestry shows throughout China in 2023.

The People’s Republic of China (PRC) will re-start old crop rice auctions for feed use beginning in March 2023 to rotate out older stocks, to provide grain alternatives, and to temper rising feed grain prices.

Corn production in MY2022/23 is revised up slightly based on National Bureau of Statistics data indicating a better harvest in the North China Plain which more than offset smaller yields in the northeast.

On January 11, 2023, the People’s Republic of China (PRC) National Health Commission (NHC) released an updated Catalog of National Food Safety Standards. The updated list contains 1,478 standards covering food products, additives, quality specifications, testing methods, and production practices. This report provides an unofficial translation of the Catalogue.

On September 20, 2022, the China’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA), the National Health Commission (NHC), and the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) jointly published Announcement No. 594 containing the National Food Safety Standard of Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) for 41 Veterinary Drugs in Foods (GB 31650.1-2022) and 21 standards of methods for determination of veterinary drug residues.

On January 13, 2023, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA) published a finalized updated “Guideline for Safety Assessment of Genetically Modified Plants.”