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FAS India forecasts marketing year (MY) 2022/23 coffee production (Oct/Sep) at 6.25 million 60-kilogram bags, nine percent higher than the official USDA estimate on above normal southwest monsoon rains (Jun/Sep) expected to improve yields, especially for Robusta varieties in major growing regions.

On October 31, 2022, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare/Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) published draft amendments [Notification F.No. STD/39-FA/Notification/2022 in the Gazette of India: Extraordinary (Official Gazette)] (Appendix I). The notification was subsequently published on the FSSAI website on November 3, 2022.

On October 31, 2022, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare/Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) published draft amendments [Notification F.No. STD/39-FA/Notification/2022 in the Gazette of India: Extraordinary (Official Gazette)] (Appendix I). The notification was subsequently published on the FSSAI website on November 3, 2022.

On October 27, 2022, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare/Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) published notification F.No. STD/FA/A-1.30/No.1/2020-FSSAI(P-I) in the Gazette of India: Extraordinary (Official Gazette). The notification was subsequently published on the FSSAI website on October 31, 2022.

India remains undecided on genetically engineered (GE) crops, despite its regulatory authorities clearing on the environmental release of GE eggplant and mustard events. Bt cotton (Bacillus thuringiensis) remains the sole crop derived from biotechnology (biotech) approved for commercial cultivation.

The Philippines is a regional biotechnology leader and the first country in the world to approve Golden Rice for commercial propagation. The Bt Eggplant biosafety permit was signed on October 17, 2022, allowing commercial propagation. Planting of Golden Rice has started since its approval in 2021, while Bt corn acceptance has grown with more than 600,000 hectares planted in 2021.

FY2022 agricultural exports reach record levels.

India’s hospitality sector, which was severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, has now recovered to pre-pandemic conditions and sales. The hotel, restaurant and institutional sector owes its rapid recovery to domestic travel and a return to in-person dining and catered events. By the end of 2022, a continued reduction in COVID-19 cases combined with improved consumer confidence for dining out, will drive demand for imported food products.

India’s domestic apple and pear production in market year (MY) (July-June) 2022/23 are estimated at 2.35 million metric tons (MMT) and 311,000 metric tons (MT), respectively. Favorable rainfall in Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh has augmented yields and will lead to increased exports. Market year 2022/23 apple imports are estimated at 430,000 MT.

On October 18, 2022, The Government of the Philippines marked Bt eggplant as its third genetically engineered crop approved for commercial propagation, following Bt corn and Golden Rice.

Prospects for U.S. brewing ingredients remain strong amidst a robust local beer manufacturing industry. Beer is the most widely consumed alcoholic beverage in the Philippines, accounting for 72 percent of total alcohol consumption or 2.1 billion liters annually. Export prospects in the region are especially strong because of the country’s membership in various free trade agreements and its strategic location.

On September 8, 2021, the Indian government raised its minimum support prices (MSP) for the select rabi (winter-planted) crops, including wheat. FAS New Delhi (Post) forecasts marketing year (MY) 2022/2023 (October-September) rice production at 122 million metric tons (MMT), down six percent compared to last year, due to unseasonal rains in October resulting in water lodging as the rice crop nears harvest.