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In 2021, the Brazilian foodservice industry reached revenues of BRL 460 billion (USD85.2 billion), a growth of 26 percent compared to 2020. Although many challenges are still present, the forecast for 2022 is at 18 percent growth compared to 2021.

Post forecasts an increase in cattle production by 2.8 percent in 2022 and one percent in 2023, driven by global demand, elevated beef prices, and a general trend of expansion in the sector. Nevertheless, increasing production costs, especially feed prices, inflation, and unstable weather are expected to pose challenges to cattle ranchers.

Taiwan MY 2023 fluid milk production is forecast to increase to 465,000 MT. During the supply chain disruptions resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, milk imports declined by 17 percent in MY 2021, pushing local producers to exceed production expectations to meet high demand.

Taiwan is the United States' sixth largest export market for food and agricultural products. With the highest GDP per capita in Eastern Asia, the island imported over US $30 million of coffee from the US in 2021.

Taiwan’s GDP per capita is expected to surpass Japan and Korea, making its consumers with the strongest spending power in Eastern Asia. At the same time, demand for international sweets and snacks are growing as consumers compensate for not being able to travel abroad. ATO-Taipei conducted retail research on popular products and origins to show market opportunities and preferences.

Post increased its forecast for soybean planted area to 42.8 million hectares for 2021/22, up previously from 42.5 million hectares. Brazil continues to expand its area due to record high domestic soybean prices. Post forecasts a record harvest at 148.5 million metric tons (MMT), increased from 144 MMT previously with planting starting earlier this year as well.

Post forecasts 2022/23 cotton area planted at 1.65 million hectares (ha), an increase of just over one percent from the 1.63 million ha cotton area estimate for 2021/22. Post’s forecast is based on expectations that despite challenges, such as risings costs and tightening margins, Brazilian producers are optimistic about the crop’s prospects, and eager to continue growing the sector.

Brazil’s Marketing Year (MY) 2022/23 sugarcane crop is estimated at 621 million metric tons (MMT), an increase of eight percent compared to the final estimate for MY 2021/22 (576 MMT), supported by better weather conditions vis-à-vis the previous year. Sugar prices remain attractive and sugar-ethanol plants have focused on sugar production as opposed to ethanol. Brazilian exports for MY 2022/23 are estimated at 28.2 MMT, raw value, an increase of 2.25 MMT relative to the previous season.

Taiwan is the seventh-largest market for U.S. agricultural exports. Taiwan has vibrant urban communities and a highly developed e-commerce industry that provides convenience for customers, all which support Taiwan’s continued demand for safe and high-quality food products. In addition, evolving consumption trends suggest customers are increasingly looking for western-style food options that cannot be locally sourced. Since domestic food production alone cannot match increased food demand, agricultural imports will continue to play an important role in Taiwan’s retail food economy. While trade barriers exist and competition intensifies, opportunities to increase U.S. agricultural exports remain promising.

On September 15, 2022, Taiwan announced the extension of tariff and tax exemptions for several agricultural commodities till the end of 2022. The tariff on beef and selective butter products and milk powder is reduced by 50 percent, the tariff on wheat and the business tax on imported corn, soybeans and wheat are waived. These measures have been in place since December 2021.