Browse Data and Analysis

Wheat production in marketing year (MY) 2021/2022 is estimated at a record 21.8 million tons, 1.3 million tons higher than the official USDA number. In consequence, exports are increased to 15.2 million tons (including flour in its wheat equivalent).

On January 18, 2022, the European Commission launched a public consultation on biobased, biodegradable, and compostable plastics. Stakeholders have until March 15, 2022, to comment.

On January 21, 2022, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA) published 2022 Decree No. 2 which amends some articles of four seed related regulations with immediate effect. These regulations include rules for registration of GE seed as well as crop variety registration and seed protection.

On December 23, 2021, the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (GACC) published a notice that the inspection and quarantine requirements for imported dairy products, which include health certificates, import quarantine permits, and testing reports will now be subject to the details specified in GACC Announcement No. 114. Additional information for U.S. firms exporting dairy and infant formula products may be found within the executive summary.

Portuguese cattle and swine sectors are currently restructuring to increase their domestic beef and pork production to meet domestic and export market demands. The meat sector is also working to open new strategic export markets, especially in the pork market.

This report confirms the dropping of dioxin free certificate requirements for U.S. exports of dairy and dairy products to the Sultanate of Oman. For years, Oman required importers to provide a dioxin free certificate from the country of origin for dairy and dairy products, delaying entry and often requiring testing at destination.

Post forecasts higher Burmese rice exports in January in anticipation of regular demand from China through official channels, increased broken rice demand from EU countries, and continued demand from the Philippines.

Recent French decrees set specific targets for reducing single-use plastic package waste by 2025, including a mandate for reusing packaging, starting 1 January 2022. The decrees are based on the Circular Economy and Fight Against Waste Law which ultimately seeks to ban all plastic packaging by 2040.

High feed costs continue to stifle attempts at reviving Ghana’s broiler industry. Domestic broiler production is estimated to meet only about two percent of total demand for chicken meat.

South Africa had an excellent start to the 2021/22 MY, with carry-over soil moisture and widespread rains that led corn producers to start plantings two to four weeks earlier than usual. Excessive rainfall during December to early January caused damage to planted crops in some areas that could impact crop size, although the extent will only become clear over the next few months.

Australia is set for a second consecutive record grain crop following two years of drought. For the winter crops, wheat production is estimated to have reached another record in marketing year (MY) 2021/22 and barley production is expected to be the third largest in history, just slightly behind the previous year.

Canada’s wheat marketing year 2021/22 was defined by drought, fires, atmospheric rivers, and the resilience of Canada’s rail transportation sector. Canadian wheat export volumes are down 37 percent (August to November 2021) from the previous year, though wheat exports by value are 95 percent of the value earned the previous year, due to strong global prices.