Browse Data and Analysis

On May 4 and 5, 2022, Venezuela’s National Supermarkets Association held an event entitled “Radiography of the Retail Sector in Venezuela 2022.” The goal of this event was to evaluate the Venezuelan retail sector situation including changes in retail and consumer trends, emerging threats, and new opportunities for growth.

On June 20, 2022, Canada announced final regulations banning the following single-use plastic manufactured items: checkout bags, cutlery, certain foodservice ware, ring carriers, stir sticks, and most straws.

A Tableau visualization comparing exports to the current top U.S. agricultural export markets since 1989.

Venezuelan seafood production totaled 241,000 MT in 2021, growing by 16 percent compared to 2020. Seafood products are Venezuela’s largest agricultural export, accounting for more than 54 percent of the total value of agricultural exports in 2021.

Venezuelan milk production reached 1.5 billion litres in 2021, just a 2 percent increase from 2020. The formal dairy industry processed 12 percent of this output, only working at 20 percent of their capacity, due to the collapse of the market and Venezuelan consumers favoring artisanal cheeses.

The Canadian food regulatory authorities opened public consultations on guidance for e-commerce platforms on how to be compliant with relevant food labeling regulatory provisions. Interested stakeholders have until July 8, 2022, to provide comments on this initiative.

In marketing year (MY) 2022/23, production of grains is forecast to increase 30 percent year-over-year on an increase in area planted to spring wheat, durum, and oats, and on the assumption of improved soil moisture conditions resulting in higher yields. However, dry conditions persist in Alberta and Western Saskatchewan and many farmers are behind in their planting schedule, due to unfavorable planting conditions.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has provided notice that CFIA will modernize the approach for import requirements for pet chews made from animal products and by-products.

Sugar production in Venezuela for MY 2022/23 is forecast to increase by 39% to 265,000 MT. The increase is primarily due to yield gains as a result of better access to quality inputs and a reduction in diesel shortages, as well as more favorable prices for producers.

This report identifies the export certification requirements by agricultural and food product. The Venezuelan ministries issue import permits, import licenses, and register processed food products. This report reflects minor changes from the 2021 report.

This report is an annual update of Venezuela's agricultural product import standards and enforcement mechanisms for U.S. exporters of agricultural commodities, foods, and beverages. Venezuela remains a complicated but promising market for U.S. agricultural products. The market has grown by 260 percent since 2019, illustrating opportunities exist.

As Venezuela’s economy continues to recover into MY 2022/23, Venezuela is expected to increase its consumption of wheat by 5.2 percent. With rising global prices of wheat, Venezuela may shift to more price competitive sources like Brazil and away from the United States for wheat grains.