Browse Data and Analysis

From January – September 2022, U.S. agricultural and food exports to Hong Kong declined 16 percent to $1 billion compared to the same period last year. During this same period, Hong Kong’s ranking as a U.S. agricultural and food export market slid from 15th in 2021 to 25th in 2022. However, the city held its rank as the 7th largest export market for U.S. consumer-ready food products.

This report focuses on specific Spanish certification requirements that differ from or are in addition to EU-harmonized certification. Compared to 2021, this report contains new country-specific certificates as well as updated links to relevant information sources and contacts.

This report provides information on export certificates required by the Government of Tunisia. In 2022, the United States and Tunisia reached agreement on a health certificate to accompany exports of U.S.-origin bovine, caprine, and ovine embryos, as well as U.S.-origin caprine and ovine semen.

Romania applies European Union (EU) regulations on imports of animal and non-animal products from the United States. The legislation on export certification is generally harmonized at the EU level. Romanian legislation applies to the minor categories on which requirements are not harmonized.

As a European Union (EU) member since 2007, Romania observes the EU regulations and directives, which are applied directly or transposed through national level implementing regulations. This report updates the sections on labeling requirements, packaging related waste, taxation, and other requirements measures over last year’s Romania FAIRS Annual Country Report.

This year ATO Osaka organized USA pavilions at three trade shows in Japan. In July, the ATO exhibited for the first time at FOODEX Kansai, the western Japan version of the USDA-endorsed show held in Tokyo every March. In August, the ATO returned to the Japan International Seafood Show for the first time in three years.

The Namibian Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform appears to have issued a circular with new import and transshipment requirement for animal and animal products into and through Namibia that states that importers must obtain a Namibian Veterinary Import Permit or Namibian Veterinary Import Permit for Conveyance In-Transit for commodities aimed for use in Namibia or in-transit.

On November 21, 2022, the Government of India’s Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) notified its draft notification F.No. 1/Standards/GMO&F/Misc/FSSAI/2018 (November 18, 2022).

The return of international visitors to Japan has started to offer glimpses of positive economic activity among the hotel and restaurant industries. Hotels experienced guest stay increases of 32.5 percent year over year, to 42.1 million, up 5.8 percent compared to October 2019.

Since the previous report, Taiwan has granted new approvals for imports of genetically engineered (GE) products for processing, food, and feed use. Taiwan has never permitted domestic production of GE crops or animals. In 2021, Taiwan imported close to $1.2 billion of U.S. GE crops including soybeans, corn, and cotton, accounting for 30 percent of total U.S. agricultural exports to the island.

FAS/San José anticipates Costa Rican orange production to rise to 305,000 metric tons in marketing year 2022/23, despite challenging growing conditions, as effective citrus greening management and increased density tree patterns drive yields higher.

The retail industry is an important component of Ecuador’s economy. The 2022 forecasts for retail food sales is $24.9 billion and for consumer expenditures on food, beverages, and tobacco is $15.9 billion. Excellent sales prospects exist for U.S. food products to supply this sector.