Browse Data and Analysis

For the past two decades, the United States has been the leading supplier of wines to the Philippines. In 2021, U.S. wine exports to the Philippines soared to a record $20 million (3.8 million liters at an average cost of $5.20 per liter) as consumers temporarily traded up to more expensive wines during the coronavirus lockdown.

Morocco notified G/SPS/N/MAR/91 on November 2, 2022. The notification concerns Moroccan registration, import and enforcement relating to plant protection products. Comments are due no later than January 1, 2022. An unofficial translation is included in this report.

For marketing year (MY) 2022/23, Post forecasts cotton harvested area and production at 45 thousand hectares and 153 thousand bales, respectively. Post reduced Bangladesh’s cotton import forecast for MY 2022/23 to 8 million bales on high international raw cotton prices, reduced garment production due to a domestic power shortage, and the slowdown of the world economy.

The European Union’s (EU) complex and lengthy policy framework for biotechnology creates a challenging environment for research and limits access to innovative tools for EU farmers.

On larger than expected production loss related Indonesia’s palm oil export ban policy, Post revises down Indonesia palm oil production to 44.7 million ton (MMT) for 2022/23 and updates 2021/22 production to 43.2 MMT. Soybean imports for 2022/23 are forecast at 2.6 MMT on continued demand from tofu and tempeh producers.

Marketing Year (MY) 2022/23 (August to July) is characterized by high pest infestation of cotton leafhoppers, known commonly as jassids, in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Senegal. Post forecasts the harvested area in all three countries to fall back to the previous year level, 1.33 million hectares (MHA) due to abandoned area caused by this infestation and excess rainfall.

The United States Becomes Hong Kong’s Top Ginseng Supplier; Hong Kong Travel Agency Predicts Comeback of Travel Business; Finance Minister Confident in Hong Kong’s Economic Fundamentals; Hopes for Normalcy Drive Sales of Hong Kong Shops; Macau to Ditch ‘Gambling Hub’ Image in Next Decade; Macau’s GDP Dropped 33 Percent to $4.6 Billion in Third Quarter

Vietnam cotton imports in marketing year 2021/22 (MY21/22) decreased 9 percent year on year to roughly 1.4 million metric tons (MMT) with a 30-percent higher value at $3.5 billion, according to Vietnam Customs data.

FAS Mumbai estimates marketing year (MY) 2022/23 India cotton production at 27.5 million 480 lb. bales, on 13 million hectares. Widespread planting of unapproved hybrids in Central India is likely to improve yields due to its shorter maturity duration which will allow for fewer heavy infestations of pink bollworm.

Since 2019, Taiwan took a cautious attitude regarding the COVID-19 pandemic but is now finally loosening its border controls and mask mandates. Unlike during the pandemic when people were more inclined to cook at home, now consumers are again looking for quick and convenient food and beverage options.

On November 18, 2022, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare/Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) published the Order F. No. Import/TFM/APEX/2022-FSSAI.

On November 28, 2022, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare/Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) notified on its website the Direction Std/SP-05/T(Nutraceutical-2022) (part-1)-Part (1) (October 18, 2022) (see, Appendix I).