Browse Data and Analysis

Turkiye’s pistachio production in marketing year (MY) 2024/25 is forecast to reach a new record due to multiple factors. Higher production volumes and larger-than-normal carryover stocks are expected to prompt sizeable export volumes of Turkish pistachios for the first time.

Agriculture in North Macedonia is an important contributor to the economic and social development of the country. The country has a negative agricultural trade balance that has expanded lately due to constraints on domestic agricultural production, and increasing demand driven by improving consumer incomes and developing tourism, food service, and retail trade.

Czechia has been an interesting market for U.S. food and agriculture high-value products, such as tree nuts, fish and seafood, beef, distilled spirits, wine, and food preparations. The country serves as an entry point for U.S. companies expanding beyond traditional markets in Western Europe to the developing markets in the East.

U.S. pet food exports to China have grown with the increasing number of registered facilities and approved import licenses. The largest share of Chinese pet owners lives in second-tier cities, with export opportunities for U.S. pet food brands that want to reach more of the Chinese market.

On September 17, 2024, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen unveiled her list of EU Commissioners-designate for 2024-2029.

On September 4, 2024, a working group consisting of 29 European stakeholders released its report on the “Strategic Dialogue on the Future of EU Agriculture” following seven months of intensive consultations.

On September 13, 2024, The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security, and Nature presented a plan to address the Dutch manure crisis. This crisis is caused by the (gradual) loss of a Dutch manure derogation under the Nitrate Directive (EU Council Directive 91/676/EEC), and has posed significant difficulties for farmers, while incurring high costs.

China removed quarantine access requirements for frozen fruit imports in August 2024. This allows frozen fruit imports from any country, according to the updated imported food catalogue by the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC).

After hitting low levels in MY 2023/24, Spain’s cotton production is set to rebound in MY 2024/25. Exports remain the main outlet for Spain’s cotton lint production. The projected recovery in production should allow exports to bounce back to average levels.

On September 13, 2024, the Dutch Cabinet presented its government program for Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security, and Nature, outlining key initiatives and commitments for the coming years.

In 2023, the European Union (EU)-27 imported $6.5 billion in tree nuts from the world. The EU remains a net importer of tree nuts for all products as demand highly exceeds domestic production. The United States is the largest EU-27 tree nuts supplier, providing $2.4 billion worth of nuts, or 37 percent of total imports.

The National Health Commission (NHC) and the State Administration of Market Regulation (SAMR) published the National Food Safety Standard for “Sanitary Practices for The Production of Cooked Meat Products” (GB 19303-2023) on September 6, 2023.