Browse Data and Analysis

On July 5, 2023, the European Commission (EC) adopted a new proposal to regulate plants obtained by certain new genomic techniques (NGTs) and their use for food and feed.

Post estimates that South Africa will produce a record rapeseed (locally called canola) crop of 220,000 metric tons in marketing year 2023/24.

U.S. exporters of vanilla extract are advised not to ship product to the European Union until further notice.

Weather conditions ranging from excessive heat to cooler than average temperatures, and from drought to excessive moisture, have curbed MY 2023/24 EU winter grain production expectations.

South Africa is the third largest exporter of canned fruits (apricots, pears, and peaches) globally, accounting for 16 percent of the market.

South Africa is currently harvesting its second largest corn crop in history and a fourth consecutive bumper crop. This creates a bearish outlook on local corn prices and will limit an expansion in the area to be planted with corn in marketing year (MY) 2023/24.

On May 21, 2023, the South African Minister of Health issued a Government Notice (R.3337) inviting public comments on a draft regulation relating to the labelling and advertising of food products under the Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Disinfectants Act, 1972 (Act No.54 of 1972).

This report provides an overview of the biofuel use mandates in EU-27 member states, including temporary changes in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia’s invasion in Ukraine. It supplements the EU Biofuels Annual Report for 2023.

The South African retail food market is highly concentrated among the five largest companies, including Shoprite Holdings Ltd, Pick n Pay Retailers Pty Ltd, Spar Group Ltd, Massmart (Walmart-owned), and Woolworths Holdings Ltd.

On June 21, 2023, the European Commission (EC) approved three genetically engineered (GE) corn crops and renewed the authorization for three soybean crops and one cotton crop used for food and animal feed. The authorizations were published in the European Union’s Official Journal on June 22, 2032, and they remain valid for 10 years.

South African production of oranges and lemons is projected to decrease in MY 2022/23 due to stagnated production area and a return to normal yield.

In MY 2022/23, European Union (EU) citrus production is projected to amount to 10.4 million metric tons (MMT), 10 percent down from the previous season, especially impacting oranges and lemons, and slightly lower than previous estimations.