Browse Data and Analysis

On April 4, 2024, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) published on its website, Order F. No. TIC-B02/2/2022-IMPORTS-FSSAI. The FSSAI order extends the effective implementation date for the mandatory registration of foreign food manufacturing facilities (FFMF) for the import of certain categories of foods such as milk and milk products; meat and meat products including poultry, fish, and their products; egg powder; infant food; and nutraceuticals to India.

On April 15, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasted a 31 percent chance of an above normal 2024 southwest monsoon. IMD will issue a end of May forecast for the Monsoon Core Zone (MCZ), which represents most rainfed agriculture regions in the country and is the critical forecast related to agricultural planning, planting, and production.

FAS India forecasts marketing year (MY) 2024/25 coffee production (Oct/Sep) at 6 million 60-kilogram bags. Deficit pre-monsoon rains (Mar/May) are expected to negatively impact yields, as fruit setting drops significantly in major growing regions.

Wheat production is expected to recover this marketing year as higher soil moisture raises yield. West and North Kazakhstan were impacted by heavy flooding, with the areas of Atyrau, Kostanay, and Almola most negatively affected.

The global cotton industry is still readjusting to lower post-pandemic demand, and Uzbekistan wasn’t spared the effects of the market overhang. Uzbekistan's strong vertical integration and government support for the industry have helped drive both its resiliency and recovery.

On April 4, 2024, the Government of Bangladesh issued a Statutory Regulatory Order (SRO) allowing the bulk import of animal feed ingredients without labels; fixing an issue that was causing tariffs to be applied to shipments of feed ingredients when bulk containers did not have labels in them.

India’s centrifugal sugar production in marketing year (MY) 2024/2025 (October-September) is forecast to reach 34.5 million metric tons (MMT), equivalent to 33 MMT of crystal white sugar.

India’s oilseeds production in marketing year (MY) 2024/25 (October-September) is forecast to reach 41.9 million metric tons (MMT), a marginal drop from MY2023/2024 estimate of 42.7 MMT due weaker prices for Indian producers, limited agricultural input availability, and weather trends.

Bangladesh continues to increase rice production, for marketing year (MY) 2024/25, Post forecasts rice production at 37.7 million metric tons (MT). With high international prices and increased production, Post forecasts limited opportunities for Bangladesh to import rice in MY 2024/25.

Due to a slight increase in cane area and production, sugar production in 2024/25 is forecast to reach 6.8 million tons, 3 percent higher than 2023/24. In line with population growth and demand from the food processing sector, continued moderate growth in sugar consumption is forecast.

Post forecasts an increase in marketing year (MY) 2024/25 cotton imports on higher global demand for ready-made garments. Despite Bangladesh’s economic challenges, Post maintains MY 2023/24 cotton imports at 7.5 million bales, on lower yarn and fabric imports.

The Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka’s (Sri Lanka) Ministry of Health extended the implementation effective date of the Food (Color Coding for Sugar Levels-Liquids) Regulations (2022) from January 1, 2024 to January 1, 2025.