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Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) proposed revisions to Japan’s maximum residue levels for 7 agricultural chemicals (Sulfoxaflor, Pyraflufen-ethyl, Benthiavalicarb-isopropyl, Polyoxorim-zinc, Polyoxin complex, Spinosad, as well as Pyrantel and Morantel) for various agricultural commodities.

Japan’s National Tax Agency (NTA) published a list of 10 proposed geographical indications (GIs) for alcoholic beverages from the United Kingdom. NTA will accept public comments on the proposal through March 22, 2022.

On October 12, 2021, the United States and Morocco completed a sanitary certificate for exports of U.S. live aquatic animals to Morocco. The completion of this certificate offers new opportunities for U.S. exporters of live aquatic animals intended for farming.

The Japanese food market was valued at $789 billion in 2020 with retail sales accounting for $474 billion (60 percent) and foodservice sales accounting for $239 billion (30 percent). Japan relies on imports from other countries for the bulk of its food supply.

Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) opened a public comment period for 28 proposed geographical indications (GIs) for food products from the United Kingdom.

The U.S.-Japan Trade Agreement (USJTA), which entered into force on January 1, 2020, improved market access for U.S. products through the creation of tariff-rate quotas (TRQs) for food wheat, wheat products, malt, processed cheese, whey, glucose and fructose, potato starch, corn starch, and inulin.

Japan imports approximately 500,000 metric tons of malt annually, which accounts for nearly 90 percent of total demand. While overall beer consumption is declining, malt demand is expected to rebound from a down year in 2020 and steadily grow in subsequent years, reflecting strong demand for malt in craft beer and whiskey production.

Japan’s mandarin production continues to decline amidst labor shortages and reduced consumption. Shipping challenges and rising prices are projected to reduce the consumption of largely imported oranges and grapefruit.

FAS/Tokyo expects Japan’s imports of bioethanol to stay steady in line with Japan’s long-standing annual target for on-road biofuel of 500 million liters crude oil equivalent which is entirely fulfilled by bioETBE.

Post expects Morocco’s citrus production for MY 2021/22 to reach an estimated 2.55 million metric tons, increasing 12 percent over MY 2020/21. Tangerine/mandarin production should increase by 13 percent over the previous year to 1.36 MMT, while orange production should increase by 11 percent to 1.15 MMT and lemon/lime production to reach 45,000 MT.

Morocco continues to import agricultural products derived from genetically engineered (GE) technologies for use in animal feed products. No GE products have been developed or commercialized for local production in Morocco.

This report provides the latest status of consumption, regulation, public perception, research, development, production, and use of agricultural biotechnology in Japan.