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Brazil is set for another record-breaking grain harvest. Post maintains its corn planted area forecast at 22.5 million hectares for MY 2022/2023 and corn production is forecast at 125.5 MMT for MY 2022/2023, up 8 percent from the estimated 116 MMT for MY 2021/2022.

The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) proposed default greenhouse gas (GHG) emission values for biomass feedstock eligible for the feed-in tariff and feed-in premium (FIT/FIP) programs for power generation.

Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) proposed 15 new geographical indications (GIs) for EU food products, including cheese, sausage, olive oil, vinegar, fruits and garlic. MAFF will accept public comments on the proposal through April 12, 2023.

Eleven of Japan’s top 25 food and beverage retailers are headquartered in western Japan. These regional retailers have deep community roots and are known for tailoring their product offerings to meet local preferences. This report describes the...

Post increased the 2022/23 forecast for soybean planted area expansion to 43.3 million hectares (ha) and soybean production to 153 million metric tons (MMT). This season sowing began optimistically, with most soybeans planted on time compared to last year. However, in the southern part of the country including Rio Grande do Sul and Parana, rains will be needed in January because if continues to be dry, the crop will be negatively impacted.

After being adversely affected by the coronavirus pandemic, Brazil’s gross domestic product (GDP) registered two years of consecutive growth, 4.6 percent in 2021 and an estimated 3 percent by the end of 2022.

The volume of U.S. fresh, dried, and processed fruit exports between 2012/13 and 2021/22 dropped 29 percent to 2.9 million metric tons[1]. However, a 25-percent gain in unit value during this period softened the decrease in value to just 11 percent lower as trade dropped $700 million to $6.0 billion.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) has proposed geographical indication (GI) protection for Tokachi Raclette cheese from Hokkaido Prefecture. MAFF will accept comments on the proposal until March 27, 2023. If approved, Tokachi Raclette cheese will become the first domestic dairy product in Japan’s GI system.

Post forecasts 2022/23 planted cotton area at 1.66 million hectares (ha), with production at 13.3 million bales (2.89 million metric tons, MMT), about a 13 percent increase from the 2021/22 estimated production of 11.52 million bales (2.5 MMT). Cotton area is forecast to rise because of favorable weather leading to timely first-season soybean planting and improved yields, as well as a favorable outlook for prices and profitability.

Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) proposed an update to Japan’s biofuel standards from Japan’s fiscal year 2023 through 2027. METI will accept public comments in Japanese on the proposal until 5 PM on January 17, 2023, Japan time. Based on received public comments, METI will revise the contents in the proposed biofuel standards and open a second and final public comment period within a few weeks.