| The following GAIN reports were released on September 4, 2025. _______ Effective September 1, 2025, Canada removed the 25 percent retaliatory tariffs introduced in March 2025. This applies to all U.S. agricultural products that were on the retaliatory list. Post forecasts MY 2025/26 cotton production at 6.91 MMT, an increase of 8 percent from the previous report and marginally higher than the official USDA estimate. Post lowers its MY 2024/25 cotton import estimate to 1.1 MMT, down 66 percent from MY 2023/24. Cotton consumption growth remains weak as fierce price competition in the anemic domestic market has led companies to increasingly incorporate cheaper synthetic fibers at the expense of cotton, while export oriented textile firms face an uncertain trade environment. Israel has adopted European Union (EU) food regulations and directives as part of its "Food Reform" initiative, aligning its food legislation with EU updates through a public comment process and World Trade Organization (WTO) notifications. On August 12, 2025, Israel issued four WTO notifications regarding changes to EU regulations on pesticide residue levels, food flavorings, and food additives, inviting public comments and detailing implementation timelines. The forecast for MY 2025/26 cotton area harvested in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Senegal combined is increased six percent to 1.04 million HA, with production in the region also increased six percent to 1.97 million bales. In Burkina Faso, the second-largest cotton company stopped all activities for MY 2025/26 due to severe insecurity in the eastern region of the country and will not plant cotton this year. This production forecast represents a 1.5 percent increase from the March 2025 annual report. MY 2025/26 combined exports and stocks are forecast at 1.92 million bales and 205,000 bales, respectively. Turkish cotton production in Marketing Year (MY) 2025/26 is projected to decrease to 700,000 metric tons (MT) due to smaller planting area and drought conditions in some regions; the planting area is forecast at 395,000 hectares (ha). Consumption is forecast to slightly decrease to 1.45 million metric tons. Cotton imports for MY 2025/26 are estimated to decrease to 825,000 MT, with the U.S. losing its position as top supplier, while exports are forecast to decrease to 300,000 MT. The Turkish textile industry faces challenges, like reduced demand from key markets and knock-on effects of an unstable local currency, but remains a crucial part of the economy. The industry continues to push for policy changes in sustainable practices and biotechnology. Zambia has resumed corn exports following a record-breaking harvest in marketing year 2025/26, marking a significant recovery from drought-affected marketing year 2024/25. In August 2025, the government lifted its export ban and launched a corn and corn meal export program, targeting key markets like the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Malawi. Favorable weather conditions drove strong production, while lower corn prices and improved electricity supplies are expected to boost domestic consumption. With food security and stable corn supplies prioritized ahead of the 2026 presidential election, challenges remain, including restrictive policies on genetically engineered crops and broader economic issues like high debt, inflation and unemployment levels. For more information, or for an archive of all FAS GAIN reports, please visit gain.fas.usda.gov/. | 
No comments:
Post a Comment