Browse Data and Analysis

In 2021, Chinese imports of alfalfa pellets hit record levels of 52,254 metric tons (MT) and $13.66 million by value, increases of 62 percent and 70 percent respectively. The market is dominated by Spanish-origin pellets.

The MY 2022/23 sugar production forecast is down 23 percent from the previous estimate. Producers face a shrinking domestic market and fluctuating world prices, as well as the strain of conflict with Russia in terms of ensuring production and exports.

On May 23, 2022, the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and Brazil held High-Level Committee talks. According to the press release issued by the PRC’s Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) on May 24, the talks included several agricultural-related outcomes including, improved and new sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) market access protocols for corn and hulled peanuts along with plans for new SPS protocols on soy protein concentrate, soybean meal, and orange fiber pellets that may be signed later.

The Netherlands is increasingly becoming one of Europe’s leading importers and exporters of seafood products. The United States was the Netherlands’ 15th largest foreign supplier of seafood in 2021. U.S. exports were dominated by frozen Alaskan Pollock (AP) which represented two-thirds of U.S. seafood trade to the Netherlands.

Several Chinese provinces are experimenting with the utilization of nine Chinese medicines, including American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius), for use in food products. The pilot programs are open through November 2022. At this time, American ginseng is regulated as a traditional medicinal product. If American ginseng is approved for use in food products, this could create additional opportunity for both imported product and spur domestic production.

This report provides an update on Turkey’s export ban on select agricultural products to stabilize local market conditions and keep food prices from running higher.

On May 10, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) issued the “14th Five-Year Plan for Bioeconomic Development,” with the intention to accelerate breakthroughs and achieve scientific and technological self-reliance in four key areas of bioeconomic development, including bio-agriculture and bioenergy.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has become an ultimate test of the resilience of Ukrainian agriculture. The country’s food security depends on a variety of factors, including farmers’ ability to produce key staple foods.

Germany, the largest economy in the European Union, is a large and promising pet food market. Imports of pet food account for more than half of the total market. While the market is mature and somewhat saturated, it is steadily growing.

While the UK exited the shadow of Brexit and COVID-19 in marketing year (MY)2021/22 and put the 40-year low wheat crop of MY2020/21 behind it, the developments in Ukraine over the past few months have brought new uncertainties to the market.

A recent industry survey in one of China’s leading provinces for textile and apparel manufacturing highlights the negative impact of the PRC’s zero-tolerance COVID policy in the world’s largest cotton market and area economy. According to survey results, production estimates are down, costs are higher, and deliveries are delayed.

Ranked No.1 in both the facility registration by China’s General Administration of Customs (GACC) and the feed product registration by China’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA), the United States accounts for 20 percent of Chinese imported pet food market share and is poised to expand.