| The following GAIN reports were released on April 1, 2026. _______ The Canadian cattle herd has entered the consolidation phase. Heifer retention practices in 2025 and a slight increase to the breeding herd to begin 2026 will support a larger 2026 calf crop. Consequently, slaughter and beef production are forecast to see growth in 2026. Heifer retention and reduced cow culls will continue in 2026 in efforts towards a herd rebuild. Increased beef production and market access opportunities will see Canadian beef exports grow in 2026. The Canadian swine herd is also forecast to remain relatively stable in 2026. Slaughter is forecast to see slight growth with a slightly larger pig crop and more processing capacity utilization. Pork exports will continue to remain strong on sustained global demand. On March 1, 2026, China lifted the 25 percent additional tariff on Canadian lobsters and snow crabs, reducing the import tariff for Canadian lobster to seven percent. In contrast, U.S. lobster exports to China remain subject to an effective tariff of 17 percent. The evolving tariff landscape, combined with shifting supply dynamics, is intensifying competition in China's high-value lobster market. This report details the situation for U.S. exporters including competition, trade, and opportunities. China was the world's second largest importer of food and agricultural products in 2025, at $207.4 billion. It has a robust and dynamic food processing industry with more than 100,000 registered food processing companies. The food service sector grew by 3.2 percent to $812 billion in 2025. Due to the Chinese Government's retaliation against U.S. agriculture, the United States' exports of consumer-oriented products to China dropped over 30 percent in 2025. Nevertheless, several product categories such as distilled spirits, dairy products, hops, and cranberry juice showed resilience or have even achieved significant sales growth in China despite elevated tariffs on U.S.-origin goods. U.S. food ingredients, perceived as superior quality and high safety standards have great growth potential in China's market. At the Food and Hospitality China (FHC) 2025 trade show, the USA Pavilion welcomed 21 U.S. exporters, including two State Departments of Agriculture and four USDA Cooperators, resulting in $10 million in projected sales. The U.S. brand was further elevated through joint sponsorship of the FHC International Culinary Arts Competition, where eight USDA Cooperators supported chef training roadshows in five cities, reaching nearly 600 in-person participants and over 47,000 online. In 2025, Colombia imported $5.1 billion in agricultural products from the United States. The local food industry continued its recovery from the challenges of 2024, supported by lower inflation boosted household purchasing power. Demand for healthy food ingredients is rising, driven by changing consumer preferences and new nutritional regulations for both imported and locally produced products. This trend has translated into increased demands for ingredients such as potato starch, oil seed flours and meals, agar-agar, and edible fruits and nuts flour, among others. The United States remains Colombia's leading international supplier of food ingredients. The Dominican Republic's food processing industry totaled $3.09 billion for calendar year (CY) 2025, in activities categorized as "food industry." Beverages and other food products accounted for an additional $1.09 billion during the same period. Key drivers in the industry consist of meat and dairy processing, wheat milling, and bakery products. The United States continues to be a leading supplier of essential ingredients, including meats, edible oils, fats, dairy products, and wheat. The continued expansion of supermarket chains' private-label offerings, particularly outside major cities, has diversified the food market. As a result, these brands have gained popularity, offering cost-effective alternatives while also introducing a broader range of products. Post forecasts Ethiopia's wheat production in MY 2026/27 at 7.0 million metric tons (MT), up eight percent from MY 2025/26 on expanded irrigation, broader adoption of improved seed, and continued development of cluster farming and mechanization. Commercial wheat imports are forecast at 1.4 million MT as tight domestic supplies and steady demand continue to drive imports by private traders. India notified the World Trade Organization (WTO) of draft amendments to the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging) Regulations, 2018, adding new clauses to the definitions section. Interested stakeholders may submit comments on the proposed draft amendments by May 22, 2026. The anticipated early onset of the 2026 dry season, combined with the potential for a moderate El Niño that could bring hotter, drier weather through late 2026 and early 2027, is expected to increase corn harvested area in 2025/26 and 2026/27 since some farmers are likely to switch from growing paddy to corn, which requires less water. Consequently, paddy harvested area in 2025/26 and 2026/27 is forecast to decline, since most corn and paddy are grown in the same fields. Nonetheless, due to higher paddy and corn production in 2024/25, the Government of Indonesia (GOI) did not allow imports of medium-quality rice for consumption or rice for industry. The GOI also reduced the corn import quota for industry in 2025/26, which led corn wet millers to temporarily shut down in late 2025. In contrast, wheat imports in 2026/27 are forecast to increase to meet higher demand from the growing feed and poultry sectors and rising consumer demand for wheat-based foods, with an expected increased market share for U.S. wheat. Japan's food processing sector contracted by 3 percent in 2025 to $174 billion, with growth in soft drinks, health foods, frozen foods, and shelf-stable products and declines in alcoholic beverages and dairy. These shifts create strong opportunities for U.S. ingredients, particularly in health-oriented, convenient, and value-added product segments. To compete effectively, U.S. exporters must differentiate on consistency, safety, quality, and branding, while maintaining close, long-term relationships with Japanese importers, manufacturers, and retailers. This report summarizes trade related components of Nigeria's National Agri-Food Systems Investment Plan for 2026 – 2027. The Plan represents the federal government's strategy to integrate the country's agricultural-related production, nutrition, environmental, employment, and climate systems, and link them with international trade and development initiatives. This report also describes one specific component of the Plan, the National Livestock Growth Acceleration Strategy, and implications for U.S. livestock and related product exporters. In 2025, Nigeria imported $50 million in feed and related products and $5 million in live animals. For more information, or for an archive of all FAS GAIN reports, please visit gain.fas.usda.gov/. | 
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