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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.

Croatia is a net food importer; government policy is geared primarily towards raising agricultural productivity and then controlling imports. Although Croatia has adopted the European Union’s (EU) biotech legislation, Croatia is a part of a group of EU member states that “opted-out” of planting genetically engineered (GE) seeds. Croatia believes its competitive advantage in agricultural products lies in seeking a premium for high-quality “natural” products rather than competing on volume.

FY2022 agricultural exports reach record levels.

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.