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FAS Bangkok forecasts stability, with modest growth expected in rice and corn production, supported by favorable weather and strong domestic demand.

Cotton imports are forecast to grow by six percent to 7.6 million bales in marketing year (MY) 2025/26 based on expected growth in the textile and yarn sector.

Ukraine took the first step to gain access to the Chinese market for peas by establishing a phytosanitary protocol.

The Philippine excise tax for alcohol products increased by six percent on January 1, 2025, and will continue to increase at a fixed rate of six percent annually, as stipulated in the law, which does not include a sunset provision.

On March 31, 2025, China’s International Trade Single Window published a notification that included an update stating that imported meat and poultry products would require a “Product Expiration Date” as a data field for customs import declarations.

On March 27, 2025, China’s National Health Commission (NHC) and the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) jointly released the General Principles for the Labeling of Prepackaged Foods (GB 7718-2025).

Post forecasts MY 25/26 China corn production at 300 MMT, up 1.7 percent from MY 24/25, while corn imports are forecast at 8 MMT, lower than MY 23/24 levels due to China’s focus on grain self-sufficiency.

Japan's vegetable oil and protein feed markets are mature and stable. While surging commodity prices and the shipping crisis impacted Japan's oilseed and product imports in the past, the situation has normalized.

FAS/Seoul forecasts 2025 Korean cattle production and slaughter will drop to 951,000 head and 1,078,000 head respectively. FAS/Seoul forecasts 2025 beef imports to dip to 574,000 metric tons (MT).

MY 2025/26 soybean crushing demand to grow at a slower pace of two percent due to slow economic recovery with uncertainties from the U.S. reciprocal tariff measures.

On March 31, 2025, the Government of Vietnam (GVN) issued Decree 73/2025/ND-CP, reducing the Most-Favored-Nation (MFN) import tariff rates on corn, soybean meal, ethanol, frozen chicken drumsticks, in-shell pistachios, almonds, fresh apples, cherries, and raisins. The decree takes effect immediately.

In 2024, Taiwan's pet food market saw significant activity, with total imports reaching a record high of $276.8 million. Thailand continued to be the largest supplier of pet food to Taiwan, followed by the United States, South Korea, Canada, and Japan.