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On June 28, 2022, the State Council Tariff Commission (SCTC) extended the Section 301 retaliatory tariff exclusion period for sorbitol and other select non-agricultural U.S. commodities. The exclusion was set to expire on June 30 but has now been extended until February 15, 2023.

On June 29, 2022, the General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China (GACC) released Announcement No. 53 of 2022 titled “Implementation of Conditional Retrieval Facilitation Measures for Imported Seed.”

Soybean imports for marketing year (MY) 21/22 are revised downward to 94 million metric tons (MMT) due to slower economic growth, high prices, and COVID-related restrictions depressing meal and vegetable oil consumption. Soybean production for MY 22/23 is forecast higher at 18.4 MMT on expanded planted area supported by high prices and government incentives.

The European Union (EU) follows a complex, rolling system of review for active ingredients and Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs) in food. For agricultural inputs, U.S. farmers must know early in the process of review to prevent or mitigate the loss of, and/or access to, chemical inputs.

Libya poses unique opportunities and challenges for U.S. agricultural exports. The nation is characterized by an unstable government, conflict, opaque regulations, an underperforming agricultural sector, and about $1.5 billion worth of agricultural imports from around the world every year.

Post revises China's Marketing Year (MY) 2022/23 feed demand upward by 4.5 million metric tons (MMT) based on recovering demand for hog feed. Rice substitution for corn in feed rations may play a more significant role because of price advantages over corn and other corn substitutes. Post adjusts wheat production in MY2022/23 upward by 2 MMT to 135 MMT based on improved growing conditions.

Despite the dramatic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, retail sales revenues in Germany have grown continuously since 2019. In 2021, the German retail sector recorded over $618 billion euros in sales revenues. Retailers benefitted from higher consumer spending for premium food products, while food service businesses suffered from low hospitality and catering demand during the series of lockdowns put in place.

Supermarkets, hypermarkets, and independent food stores, continue expanding in Guatemala; imports of U.S. consumer-oriented products have continued to grow and in 2021, the value of these products reported a record year of $637 million.

According to the Department of Statistics, Malaysia’s food and beverage sales contributed 11.8 percent ($1.7 billion) to total wholesale sales value of $14 billion for January-April 2022, with a growth of 11.5 percent over the same period last year. The country’s food retailers continue to rapidly develop, and premium grocery stores and convenience outlets are increasingly popular.

With a growing population and a market-oriented agricultural and food sector that is open to international trade, Mexico is an important agricultural trading partner for the United States. In 2021, exports of U.S. agricultural and related products to Mexico totaled $25.5 billion, showing an increase of 34.9 percent versus 2020 when U.S. agricultural and related exports to Mexico totaled $18.9 billion.

The turnover of the Dutch retail sector was valued at €45.1 billion ($47.4 billion) in 2021. The sector is relatively consolidated, with the two largest food retailers controlling 58 percent of the market. Consumers are increasingly looking for sustainable products, products that are healthy and nutritious, and convenience products, and, as a result, will continue to buy more plant-based foods.

The easing of pandemic mobility restrictions and the recent national elections boosted food and beverage retail sales. Though the sector failed to sustain growth last year, key retail companies remain confident about growing the market in 2022.