The following GAIN reports were released on August 14, 2026.

India: FSSAI Publishes Final Regulations on Contaminants Toxins and Residues

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) notified the Food Safety and Standards (Contaminants, Toxins and Residues) Amendment Regulations 2026 in the Official Gazette, relating to heavy metals, naturally occurring toxins and veterinary drug residues in food products. The date of implementation for the final regulation is December 1, 2026.

Indonesia: Biofuels Annual

In early March 2026, Indonesia unveiled a new biofuel roadmap that phases in a 5 percent bioethanol blend (E5) for non-public service obligation (PSO) or non-subsidized gasoline, beginning with a geographic rollout across Java Island in 2026 to 2027 and expanding nationwide to a 10 percent blend (E10) by 2028. Rising global energy prices led the Government of Indonesia (GOI) to tighten controls on subsidized-fuel consumption while keeping retail prices for higher octane (RON 90) gasoline and subsidized diesel unchanged. This approach shielded consumers' purchasing power from the impact of global price increases. Against this backdrop, the GOI accelerated its biodiesel blending mandate raising it from a 40 percent biodiesel blend (B40) to a 50 percent biodiesel blend (B50) in July 2026, ahead of the new roadmap's original timeline and revising the fuel allocation upward.

Japan: Poultry and Products Annual

FAS/Tokyo projects almost flat 2027 chicken production and imports versus 2026, with consumption remaining strong. High feed, freight, and energy costs are limiting expansion despite robust demand, though consolidation is driving modest production gains. Consumers continue shifting from beef and pork to chicken amid inflation, boosting retail and food service demand.

Saudi Arabia: An Overview of Saudi Arabia's Potatoes Market

Potatoes are a staple food in Saudi Arabia, and the country is largely self-sufficient in fresh potato production, which supports a growing potato processing sector and fuels increasing frozen potato exports to neighboring countries. However, the demand generated from the growing hotel, restaurant, and café sector creates opportunities for processed potato imports.

The following GAIN reports were released on August 17, 2026.

China: China Launches Essentially Derived Varieties System with First Set of Ten Crops

On July 27, 2026, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA) released its initial Implementation Catalogue for its new system of essentially derived varieties (EDVs) for agricultural plants, which took effect immediately upon issuance. So far, the catalogue covers 10 crops: rice, wheat, cotton, foxtail millet, faba bean, rapeseed, peanut, Chinese cabbage, pepper, and peach.

Kenya: Kenya's Pulses Market - Trends and Emerging Market Opportunities

Kenya is among the largest producer of pulses in Africa and a major consumer in Sub-Saharan Africa, with dry beans accounting for the largest share of production and consumption. Pulse production relies primarily on rain-fed agriculture and faces recurrent challenges from erratic rainfall, drought, pests, diseases, and limited access to improved seed, reducing the sector's ability to meet growing domestic demand. Kenya supplements local supplies through imports of dry beans, dry peas, lentils, and chickpeas from regional and international suppliers while exporting mung beans (green grams), pigeon peas, and other specialty pulses. U.S. pulse exports to Kenya remain limited but present opportunities for growth, particularly for dry peas, lentils, chickpeas, and value-added pulse products serving the food processing, institutional, and retail sectors.

The following GAIN reports were released on August 18, 2026.

Bangladesh: Update of National Poultry Development Policy Formalizes MBM Import Ban

On June 14, 2026, Bangladesh updated its national framework policy for the poultry sector for the first time in 18 years with the “National Poultry Development Policy 2026.” This report analyzes the new policy, highlights key differences from the previous framework, and assesses potential impacts on the poultry industry and agricultural trade. This policy marks the first instance of a formal ban on the import of meat and bone meal (MBM) of any animal origin.

Cote d'Ivoire: Cote d'Ivoire and Ghana - Sweets and Snacks Expo 2026 Las Vegas - FAS Commercial Diplomacy's Sweet Returns for America's Confectionary and Snack Industries and its US Exporters

FAS Accra, Abidjan (Post) targeted the 2026 Sweet & Snacks Expo to provide its three Coastal West Africa Region (CWAR) buyers (i.e., from Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana), to build greater awareness of the American sweets and snacks sector. Post’s investment is anticipated to result in $280,000 in new sales of U.S.-origin sweets and snacks over the next 6-12 months. This represents a potential return on investment (ROI) of over 4,000 percent, that is, for each $1.00 Post invested, it is generating a potential return of roughly $40.76 for America’s farmers ranchers, foresters, and the American confectionary and snack industries and its U.S. exporters. Of particular interest to Post's CWAR buyers have been American candies, chips, biscuits, and dairy-based snack products.

Nigeria: Description of Food and Agricultural Product Registration and Facility Inspection Fees

Nigeria’s food safety agency requires that all food, beverage, and feed products be registered, and foreign production facilities inspected before products can be imported into Nigeria. Product registration fees per imported product average about $1,400, while foreign facility inspection fees average about $12,000 per facility. This report outlines product registration and facility inspection fee schedules, and provides background on related administrative processes.

The following GAIN reports were released on August 19, 2026.

European Union: Stone Fruit Annual

In MY 2026/27, EU stone fruit production is estimated above last season's levels, marked by widespread recovery driven by the absence of severe drought and a rebound in frost-affected countries. Increased domestic supply is expected to boost consumption, with strong demand momentum across Europe this summer fueled by widespread heat waves. EU cherry production is also projected to rise compared to last year, with planted area remaining stable despite a slow, continued downward trend over the past five years. Solid cherry production volume is driven by a good harvest in Spain, a rebound in Italy, and a stronger-than-expected crop in Germany.

Japan: Stone Fruit Annual

FAS/Tokyo forecasts Japan's fresh cherry production for marketing year (MY) 2026/27 at 14,000 metric tons (MT), up 25 percent from 11,200 MT in MY 2025/26. The recovery is driven by improved fruit sets in 2026 and generally favorable growing conditions in Yamagata prefecture, which accounts for roughly three-quarters of national production. FAS/Tokyo forecasts cherry imports to decline 15.6 percent to 4,200 MT as domestic availability improves. For peaches and nectarines, FAS/Tokyo forecasts MY 2026/27 production at 110,000 MT, up 9.3 percent from MY 2025/26 as the average fruit size has improved compared to the prior year's heat and drought conditions that resulted in smaller fruit. Greater domestic supply is forecast to lift consumption to 107,800 MT and support an expansion in exports to 2,500 MT, while imports remain limited at about 300 MT, consisting almost entirely of U.S. nectarines.

Ukraine: Poultry and Products Annual

FAS/Kyiv anticipates growth in Ukraine’s chicken meat production in 2026 and 2027, despite increased war-related production and trade risks. The growth is driven by unrestricted access to the United Kingdom market and stable domestic demand. Ukraine’s largest producer, MHP SE, expanded internationally by acquiring Greece’s largest poultry producer, Th. Nitsiakos AVEE. The EU, Ukraine's largest foreign market, has introduced a new permanent zero import duty quota of 120,000 metric tons. Post expects the importance of Middle Eastern markets to decline in 2026 and 2027 as exports shift to other regions. Domestic chicken production remains efficient and profitable, even with low export prices.

The following GAIN reports were released on August 20, 2026.

Angola: Poultry and Products Annual

FAS Luanda forecasts Angola’s chicken meat production to increase to 80,000 metric tons (MT) in 2027, supported by continued commercial investment, although structural constraints will continue to limit domestic output. Chicken meat consumption is forecast to reach 350,000 MT, driven by population growth and poultry’s affordability relative to other animal proteins. Imports are forecast to increase modestly to 270,000 MT and will continue to supply approximately 77 percent of domestic demand, underscoring Angola’s continued dependence on imported poultry.

Argentina: Biofuels Annual

Argentina’s fuel ethanol production is forecast to reach a record 1.35 billion liters in 2026, driven by record domestic consumption, additional corn-based production capacity, and a March 2026 regulation allowing fuel distributors to blend up to 15 percent ethanol through voluntary agreements above the mandatory 12 percent rate. Corn-based ethanol is expected to account for approximately 60 percent of output, while stronger domestic demand is forecast to reduce exports modestly. Biodiesel production is projected at nearly 1.2 billion liters, up eight percent from 2025, as higher domestic use more than offsets weaker exports. However, exports are forecast at their lowest level since 2007, and the industry is expected to operate at only about 27 percent of installed capacity. Proposed legislation under consideration would raise the ethanol mandate to 15 percent and the biodiesel mandate to 10 percent, but biodiesel provisions remain politically contentious.

Mexico: Stone Fruit Annual

Mexico’s 2026 peach production is forecast at 255,000 metric tons, a five percent decrease over 2025. This decline is largely driven by adverse weather conditions and stagnant domestic demand. Peach imports are forecast to grow seven percent in 2026, with the United States maintaining a dominant market share. Mexico's domestic sweet cherry production remains highly constrained. The United States provides over 80 percent of Mexico’s cherry imports.