Browse Data and Analysis

Marketing year 2020/21 was another record year for U.S.-origin soybean exports to Egypt. The United States, with 2.53 MMT in exports, was Egypt’s largest supplier of soybeans. Egypt’s soybean imports in marketing year (MY) 2022/23 (October-September) are forecast at 4.0 million metric tons (MMT), up 400,000 MT from the MY 2021/22 estimate.

The 2022 crop season in Morocco is progressing under difficult conditions. Dry and hot weather during January and February has driven production to record lows, especially in southern Morocco.

Rice import for MY 2022/23 is forecast to increase by 12 percent as political campaigns and electoral activities leading up to the general election in 2023 gear up. A 4 percent marginal increase in wheat imports is envisioned as the Russia/Ukraine crisis prolongs. High flour mill operating costs will negatively impact the price of flour.

Sugar cane production in MY 2023 is forecast at 11 MMT while cane sugar production if forecast to reach 1.32 MMT. Higher sugar prices are expected to encourage higher sugar output. The United States remains the main market for Peruvian sugar exports under the TRQ program.

Colombia is a net importer of many agricultural products and cannot produce the raw materials and ingredients to meet the growing demand of the food and beverage processing industry.

Post forecasts market year (MY) 2022/23 cotton fiber production at 990,000 bales (480 lb.) The MY 2021/22 estimate for exports is unchanged at 1.1 million bales. MY 2022/23 export projection is 1 million bales, assuming the entire national production is exported. Annual consumption is stable at 20,000 bales.

Following stagnation in 2020 and decline in 2021, the German food processing industry still cannot catch up with the growth dynamics of pre-pandemic period. According to BVE initial estimates, total sales of US$201.3 billion were generated across all sub-sectors in 2021, which is 1.6 percent lower than the previous year.

The food processing industry is an important component of Ecuador’s manufacturing sector. In 2020, the sector contributed $6.5 billion to Ecuador’s gross domestic product and grossed $11 billion in net sales. Excellent sales prospects exist for U.S. food ingredient products to supply this industry.

The seafood industry plays an important role for Côte d’Ivoire 's national economy. In 2021, this sector accounted for about 3.2 percent of the agricultural GDP, resulting in a contribution of 0.8 percent to the overall GDP and generated $114 million in value. Demand for high quality seafood is high, creating an excellent opportunity for U.S. seafood suppliers.

Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) proposed revisions to Japan’s maximum residue levels for 11 agricultural chemicals (Afidopyropen, Cyantraniliprole, Tetraniliprole, Picoxystrobin, Flufenoxuron, Pencycuron, Cyfluthrin, Ampicillin, Phenoxymethylpenicillin, Lubabegron, and Bacitracin) for various agricultural commodities.

Post estimates cattle numbers in 2022 are expected to stagnate with 18 million head, including buffaloes, due to slow population growth rate, low raw milk prices, and an increasing number of cows being sent to slaughter because of high feed prices, despite government incentives.

A number of factors have converged over the last 18 months to send global agricultural commodity prices to near-record levels. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine – and the potential loss of Ukrainian exports – was the latest development to push commodity prices higher.