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France, as a member of the European Union (EU), generally follows EU directives, regulations, and obligations. This report focuses on food laws in force in France that cover areas which are not EU harmonized. EU regulations are explained in the Food...

The French livestock industry depends on imported genetically engineered (GE) feed, especially soybean, rapeseed, and corn. However, France has no commercial production or field trials of GE crops. While most French scientists and farmers are generally supportive of biotechnology, consumer attitudes toward GE are primarily negative.

On January 24, 2022 the French State Council provisionally overruled the December 2021 ministerial order banning the sale of raw CBD hemp flowers and leaves. The court noted that the flowers and leaves of cannabis sativa L. with a THC content of less than 0.3 percent were “devoid of narcotic properties” and could therefore be marketed in France.

This report serves as a road map for U.S. companies exporting to Ecuador. While Ecuador is a challenging market for U.S. food and agricultural products, it is also one of opportunities. Domestic production cannot meet consumer demand, necessitating continued imports.

The retail industry is an important component of Ecuador’s economy. The 2022 forecasts for retail food sales is $24.9 billion and for consumer expenditures on food, beverages, and tobacco is $15.9 billion. Excellent sales prospects exist for U.S. food products to supply this sector.

The legal and regulatory situation to allow the planting of genetically engineered (GE) crops in Ecuador remains relatively the same as 2021. Commercial cultivation of GE crops is not permitted, however cultivation for research is allowed and an exception exists for GE products without recombinant or foreign DNA in the genome. A ruling by Ecuador’s Constitutional Court in early 2022 now makes it more difficult for the President to authorize exceptions to the GE ban.

This report identifies Ecuador’s import requirements for foreign export certificates, highlighting current procedures and identifying the relevant local agencies with oversight over these issues. An export certificate matrix and outline is included. This report supplements the FAS Quito Food and Agricultural Import Regulations (FAIRS) 2022 report.

This report outlines Ecuador’s requirements for food and agricultural product imports. It is a guide on the regulations that exporters need to consider in order to enter their products into the Ecuadorian market. Hyperlinks to ministries, agencies, and legal documents are provided throughout this report.

The French food processing sector encompasses approximately 15,500 companies ranging from small family-owned businesses to some of the world’s largest multinationals. Widely regarded for global leadership in innovative technology, quality and marketing, French food processing companies provide employment to more than 433,000 people, generating $53 billion in export sales.

Coffee production for marketing year (MY) 2022/23 (April to March) is forecast at 354,000 60-kg bags of Green Bean Equivalent (GBE) basis, an increase of 36 percent over the MY 2021/2022 estimate of 261,000 60-kg bags, due an increase in expected area harvested and improved pruning techniques.

On May 4, 2022, Ecuador’s President Guillermo Lasso appointed Mr. Bernardo Manzano as his 3rd Minister of Agriculture and Livestock (MAG).

In 2020, French food and agricultural imports from the United States reached $1.32 billion. While exporting to France is complicated, there are many opportunities for U.S. suppliers.