Browse Data and Analysis

India is gearing up for a record wheat harvest in market year (MY) 2024/2025. FAS New Delhi (Post) forecasts India's wheat production at 112.5 million metric tons (MMT), thanks to the timely and record plantings of wheat, which benefitted from favorable weather conditions from the time of planting through the reproductive growth stages.

On December 29, 2023, the People’s Republic of China (PRC) submitted two major reports related to climate change to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC): the Fourth National Communication on Climate Change (NC4) and the Third Biennial Update Report on Climate Change (BUR3).

With expectations for no change in area, and assuming average yields, cotton production is forecast to decline in 2024/25. Given prospects for an increase in cotton textile exports, domestic use is forecast to increase in 2024/25.

On March 12, 2024, the People’s Republic of China (PRC) National Health Commission (NHC) and State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) jointly published an Announcement on releasing 47 new or updated National Food Safety Standards (known as Guo Jia Biao Zhun, or GB Standards) and 6 amendments sheets.

On February 22, 2024, India’s Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying/Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, issued Office Memorandum File No. L-110109(3)/1/2016-Trade (E-2625) outlining the parameters for premium frozen duck meat for import into India.

The Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka’s (Sri Lanka) Ministry of Health extended the implementation effective date of the Food (Trans Fat) Regulations (2022) from January 1, 2024 to January 1, 2025.

China remained the world's largest seafood producer in 2023, with official production estimated at 71 million metric tons (MMT), up 3.5 percent from 2022.

The PRC National Standard (Guo Jia Biao Zhun, or 'GB') for Natural Casings - GB/T7740-2022 was issued on October 12, 2022, and implemented on May 1, 2023.

On March 19, 2024, the People’s Republic of China (PRC) National Crop Variety Registration Committee (CNCVRC) published a second variety registration list for genetically modified (GM) corn and soybeans.

On March 13, 2024, the National Health Commission (NHC) announced approval of 23 new food materials and additives, of which three are products derived from Genetically Modified Microorganisms (GMMs).

From September 26 to 27, 2023, the People’s Republic of China (PRC) National Energy Administration (NEA) organized a meeting on pilot programs for biodiesel promotion and application in Shanghai to learn relevant experience and practices, exchange and analyze the development of the country’s biodiesel industry, and study and deploy next steps.

Soybean imports for marketing year (MY) 24/25 are forecast to reach 103 million metric tons (MMT). Increased soybean meal (SBM) inclusion rates due to competitive prices, stable demand in the poultry sector, and growing demand in aquaculture is expected to offset weaker demand in the swine sector due to forecast declining production in MY 23/24 and MY 24/25.