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On April 4, 2024, the Government of Bangladesh issued a Statutory Regulatory Order (SRO) allowing the bulk import of animal feed ingredients without labels; fixing an issue that was causing tariffs to be applied to shipments of feed ingredients when bulk containers did not have labels in them.

India’s centrifugal sugar production in marketing year (MY) 2024/2025 (October-September) is forecast to reach 34.5 million metric tons (MMT), equivalent to 33 MMT of crystal white sugar.

Despite area expansion by private sugar mills, a long, drawn-out El Nino in 2023/24 reduced both sugarcane and plantation white sugar production. The ongoing impact of El Nino will be immediately followed by the onset of the 2024 dry season combined with a predicted La Nina at the end of 2024, which are forecast to further reduce sugarcane and plantation white sugar production.

India’s oilseeds production in marketing year (MY) 2024/25 (October-September) is forecast to reach 41.9 million metric tons (MMT), a marginal drop from MY2023/2024 estimate of 42.7 MMT due weaker prices for Indian producers, limited agricultural input availability, and weather trends.

Bangladesh continues to increase rice production, for marketing year (MY) 2024/25, Post forecasts rice production at 37.7 million metric tons (MT). With high international prices and increased production, Post forecasts limited opportunities for Bangladesh to import rice in MY 2024/25.

On April 2, 2024, FAS Jakarta held its second annual Ramadan iftar event at the U.S. Embassy’s @america cultural center. This year’s event, “Ramadan Delights with U.S. Products: featuring the Talents of Chef Vindex and a Conversation with U.S. Halal Certifying Bodies,” promoted high-quality U.S. food ingredients such as beef, cheese, dates, chickpeas, raisins, and seafood.

Due to a slight increase in cane area and production, sugar production in 2024/25 is forecast to reach 6.8 million tons, 3 percent higher than 2023/24. In line with population growth and demand from the food processing sector, continued moderate growth in sugar consumption is forecast.

Post forecasts an increase in marketing year (MY) 2024/25 cotton imports on higher global demand for ready-made garments. Despite Bangladesh’s economic challenges, Post maintains MY 2023/24 cotton imports at 7.5 million bales, on lower yarn and fabric imports.

The Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka’s (Sri Lanka) Ministry of Health extended the implementation effective date of the Food (Color Coding for Sugar Levels-Liquids) Regulations (2022) from January 1, 2024 to January 1, 2025.

This GAIN-INDIA report is an addendum to FAS India's (New Delhi, Mumbai) (Post) GAIN-INDIA | IN2024-0012 | India’s Wine Product Labeling Requirements – Update 2024. Post sought out additional regulatory review, and has obtained a revised confirmation from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) that its Food Safety and Standards (Labeling and Display) Regulations now do not require an expiry date for wine products.

Indonesia offers significant opportunities for U.S. ingredient suppliers to meet the demand for raw materials for its food processing industry. The United States is the third largest agricultural supplier to Indonesia, with an 11-percent market share.

The global economic slowdown and illegal imports of cheaper textile products continue to hinder the growth of the Indonesian textile and textile products industry in 2023/24.