We use cookies to provide you with a better experience. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies in accordance with our Privacy Terms and Cookie Policy
Shining Light on Farm & Food Policy for 20 Years.
Thursday, May 02, 2024
U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer announced Friday he’s chosen Julie Callahan – an FDA and USDA alumnus – to work side-by-side with Ambassador Gregg Doud, representing the interests of the U.S. ag sector around the globe.
Chinese importers closed contracts to buy 720,000 metric tons of U.S. soybeans – most of it for new crop – according to a USDA announcement Thursday, signaling the country is calculating the growing tightness of Brazilian supplies and locking in deliveries past September.
It’s been a constant struggle over the years to get Japan to buy more U.S. rice, and a new development may be just the ticket to help improve trade ties.
China, despite economic woes and its battle with COVID-19, is buying more foreign dairy this year, but the increased imports are doing far less for U.S. producers than the industry had hoped for after the “phase one” trade pact went into effect in February.
As the spread of COVID-19 in April slowed meat processing facilities and important Latin American trading partners lost purchasing power, U.S. beef exports fell below last year's totals and pork exports grew at a slower rate than in the first quarter.
U.S. certified organic food will now be automatically recognized as organic in Taiwan and vice versa as the result of a new equivalence deal signed by both countries.
The fact that Chinese importers purchased between two and three cargoes of U.S. soybeans on Monday has helped quell concerns that the two countries might be rekindling their trade war, but the uncertainty of the situation continues to plague buyers and sellers.
Peanut butter makers are churning out as much product as they can and they can’t do it fast enough to meet the unprecedented demand from families who are desperate to keep their pantries stocked during the COVID-19 pandemic.
China is shunning U.S. soybeans and pork – at least temporarily – in retaliation to U.S. involvement in China’s treatment of Hong Kong, but expectations are that Chinese state buyers won’t be able to shut off U.S. trade for much longer.
RSS
