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In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, FAS El Salvador identified an opportunity to seek market access for U.S. table-eggs. In February 2021, FAS obtained the equivalence needed to allow imports of fresh table-eggs from the United States, and the first shipment arrived in El Salvador on October 20th, 2021.

During 2020, El Salvador imported a little over $632 million of agricultural products, which is a drop of 8 percent compared to 2019.

The Covid 19 pandemic not only affected biodiesel consumption, but also delayed the implementation of B20 mandate in Malaysia. Biodiesel production in 2021 is expected to drop by 16 percent to 1.05 billion liters, as exports are negatively impacted by the price of CPO at an all time high throughout 2021.

In El Salvador, there is no legal impediment to the use of biotechnology for food, feed, and processing. However, no GE crops are currently cultivated.

The COVID 19 pandemic in Malaysia saw most government agencies operating at minimum staffing with most working from home throughout 2020 and 2021. This has severely impacted the number of GE events approved by the National Biosafety Board (NBB).

In El Salvador there is no specific food law. However, the Ministry of Health’s (MINSAL) Health Code is used to enforce food safety for all food and beverage products.

The COVID-19 pandemic and ensuing movement control orders have severely impacted the Malaysian hotel, restaurant, and institutional (HRI) industry, with a significant decline of 71.2 percent to $12.5 billion in tourism receipts in 2020.

Post is adjusting its MY 2021/22 crude palm oil (CPO) production forecast down 1.5 million metric tons (MT) from the USDA Official estimate to 18.2 million MT.

This report provides examples for the major export certificates and other documents required by the government of El Salvador for U.S. exports of food and agricultural products.

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the fragile nature of the tourism sector in El Salvador, which in 2020 closed with approximately $750 million in income, which is at least $1 million less than projections for foreign tourism and a 10-year set-back, according to some sector’s analysts.

Malaysia’s total agricultural product imports in 2020 reached nearly $19 billion, and approximately eight percent are sourced from United States.

The Salvadoran retail sector has remained strong and stable amidst the pandemic of COVID-19.