| The following GAIN reports were released on December 8, 2025. _______ The Government of Argentina (GOA) approved thirteen new genetically engineered (GE) events in late 2024 and 2025 (one cotton, three soybeans, and nine corn). Processing times seem to have improved, with a record number of commercial approvals for GM plants and an increased number of assessments involving microorganisms. Brazil is the second-largest producer of biotech crops in the world, with 134 events approved for plants. For the 2024/2025 crop season, FAS Brasilia forecasts 69.6 million hectares planted with GE traits. Adoption rates for soybeans and cotton reached 99 percent and for corn, 96 percent. Biotechnology has played a transformative role in Brazilian agriculture, driving significant gains in productivity and innovation. Continued use of biotechnology seeds is a major contributor to yield growth in Brazil since its adoption. In addition to GE plants, this report provides updates on several aspects of these technologies. In 2025, Chilean researchers began a study on genetic variants associated with disease resistance in coho salmon, initiating the first ever study using biotechnology on animals in Chile. Also in 2025, the Agricultural and Livestock Service (SAG) of the Ministry of Agriculture authorized the experimental production of a high-in fiber wheat variety developed using CRISPR technology; and the Chilean National Institute for Agricultural Research (INIA) began test planting of a new rice variety using 50% less water than traditional methods. Commercially, Chile continues allowing only the reproduction and reexport of GE seeds under strict control of the SAG. Colombia's agricultural sector incorporates biotechnology-derived products, including the recent commercial release of edited berries. The country maintains a rigorous, science-based regulatory framework supportive of genetically engineered (GE) commodities. However, anti-biotechnology activism in Congress continues to create challenges, with proposals for GE-free territories and measures to further protect native seeds, resulting in regulatory uncertainty and potential impacts on agricultural trade. In 2024, the total area planted with GE crops decreased by 10 percent, mirroring a broader decline in overall corn and cotton cultivation. On December 01, 2025, the Israeli Ministry of Health published a request for public comments on proposed amendments to European Union Regulations 915/2023, 1333/2008, 432/2012, 396/2005. The publication, which has not yet been notified to the World Trade Organization, is open for public comment until December 15, 2025, 23:59 (Israel Standard Time). Jamaica's agricultural sector sustained substantial damage due to Hurricane Melissa, which touched down on October 28, 2025. The category five hurricane destroyed most of Jamaica's agricultural productive areas, resulting in estimated losses and damages of approximately $180 million. As the Government of Jamaica begins its recovery efforts, the immediate and medium-term risks of food shortages remain a serious concern. In September 2025, FAS Jamaica reignited its marketing chops by teaming up with the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) to host its first promotional activity in more than four years, showcasing the quality, affordability, and flavor of under-utilized U.S. beef cuts and ground lamb. In 2024, U.S. beef and lamb exports to Jamaica accounted for $18 million. While Jamaica's import demand for beef has favored premium cuts, such as ribeyes and tenderloins, the promotional event spotlighted more value-friendly, lesser-known beef cuts to broaden market interest. Japan's dairy herd and raw milk production are expected to remain stable in 2026. Although higher prices are reducing household milk consumption, tourism is supporting food service demand. Surplus milk is boosting butter production and stocks, while butter imports and consumption remain steady. Cheese production will be flat, with continued reliance on imports. Non-fat dried milk (NFDM) output remains high, but domestic demand for food products is softening. However, imports for animal feed are rising because they are more competitively priced than domestic NFDM for feed. The sector faces stable supply, shifting demand, and ongoing inflationary pressure. Malaysia's palm oil production is forecast at 19.5 million metric tons (MT) in MY2025/26, with export estimates rising to 16.2 million MT as demand in African markets grows and Indonesia's B40 mandate limits regional supply. Structural challenges persist, with replanting at only 1.8 percent versus the 4 percent target, though mechanization and research and development are improving yields. For MY2025/26, soybean imports are projected at 715 thousand MT, while soybean meal consumption climbs to 1.69 million MT, driven by poultry feed as African Swine Fever (ASF) continues to weaken swine demand. Soybean oil output estimate in MY2025/26 remains modest at 89 thousand MT with flat consumption in a competitive oilseeds market dominated by palm oil. In November 2025, the National Biosafety Committee (NBC) authorized imports of genetically engineered (GE) canola for food, feed, and processing. GE soybean import licenses have also been renewed by Pakistan's Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for another year. Supported by this recent development, soybean imports are expected to further rebound to 2.4 million tons during 2025/26. Peru continues its extended biotechnology moratorium on cultivating genetically engineered (GE) crops based on ongoing environmental concerns until December 2035. This "precautionary" approach restricts Peru's ability to innovate and develop tailored solutions for plant, animal and microbial research with genome editing. Research institutions and the Government of Peru, however, are seeking a pathway to reconsider gene edited technologies. The first half of 2025 saw the United Kingdom (UK) progressed on two main items related to biotechnology, it (1) adopted secondary legislation needed to implement the Precision Breeding Act, (2) streamlined the market authorization process for Genetically Engineered (GE) regulated products. On the other hand, the UK made no new GE authorizations since the 2024 Biotech Annual report. Consequently, Great Britain (GB) has fallen further behind the European Union (EU) in its GE authorizations, with the backlog now standing at 28 GE events, despite the removal of the requirement for ten-yearly renewals in GB in March 2025. Additionally, the prospect of the UK entering a new Sanitary & Phytosanitary (SPS) deal with the EU appears to have placed any other changes by the UK in biotechnology on hold. For more information, or for an archive of all FAS GAIN reports, please visit gain.fas.usda.gov/. | 
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