US Diesel Aid for Farmers to Be Paid After the Election, USDA Says
The US administration’s US$8 billion in diesel aid for farmers will be paid out after the November 3 election, a USDA official told Reuters on October 23. President Donald Trump announced the aid earlier in the week as part of a set of measures to ease high fuel prices caused by the war in Iran. […]
USDA Awards US$86.6 Million to Support US Specialty Crops, Including Tree Nuts and Dried Fruits
The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced on October 13, 2026, that it is awarding US$86.6 million through the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) to improve the competitiveness of specialty crops. The Agricultural Marketing Service will fund approximately 609 projects across 56 states and territories. States and territories will pass the funds on as […]
Türkiye Issues 2026 Crop Notice on Aflatoxin- and Mold-Affected Dried Figs
The Türkiye-based Aegean Exporters’ Associations issued a sector notice on October 14, 2026, addressing the proportion and disposal of aflatoxin- and mold-affected dried figs from the 2026 crop under its Aflatoxin-Contaminated Dried Figs Disposal Project. The association said its 2026 assessment followed visits to processing facilities, feedback from member companies and review by the board […]
Seven Middle Eastern Markets Notify WTO of New Cashew-Kernel Technical Standard
Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen jointly notified the World Trade Organization (WTO) on October 13, 2026, of a proposed technical standard specifically covering cashew kernels for human consumption. The notification identifies protection of human health and safety as the objective and references ISO 6477:1988 on cashew-kernel specifications. The […]
EU Parliament and Council Strike Deal on Organic Omnibus Package
The European Parliament and the Council of the EU have reached a provisional agreement on updated rules for the production, labeling, certification and trade of organic products. Under the agreed rules, products imported from non-EU countries whose organic production rules are recognized as equivalent to EU standards can continue to be marketed using terms such […]
EU Plant Protection Products Update
The EU has published the following new maximum residue levels (MRLs): (1) This MRL shall apply from May 5, 2027. More information. (2) This MRL shall apply from the twentieth day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union (published on 16 October). More information. A new implementing regulation updates […]
EU Leaders Call for Food Safety Simplification Deal by Year-End and Removal of Fragmented Labeling and Packaging Rules
EU leaders adopted conclusions on competitiveness at the European Council summit on October 15-16, 2026. They took note of the recent Council position on the food and feed safety simplification package and invited the co-legislators to conclude negotiations on it, along with other priority files, by the end of the year. The European Council also […]
EU Publishes Draft MOAH MLs
As noted in the European Commission’s FAQ document (Rev.4) on the draft regulatory measures on mineral oil hydrocarbons (MOHs) in food, the following draft texts have been published: Draft regulation and annex on maximum levels (MLs) for mineral oil aromatic hydrocarbons (MOAHs) in food Draft Commission recommendation on the monitoring of MOHs in food Draft […]
EU Perchlorate ML in Brazil Nuts: Call for Feedback
According to information shared by the Directorate-General for Health & Food Safety (DG SANTE) at a recent FRUCOM event, the European Commission is currently discussing setting MLs for perchlorate of 0.15 mg/kg in Brazil nuts and 0.05 mg/kg in other nuts. Please share any concerns they you may have regarding this potential ML by filling […]
EU Perchlorate ML in Brazil Nuts: Call for Feedback
According to information shared by the Directorate-General for Health & Food Safety (DG SANTE) at a recent FRUCOM event, the European Commission is currently discussing setting MLs for perchlorate of 0.15 mg/kg in Brazil nuts and 0.05 mg/kg in other nuts. Please share any concerns they you may have regarding this potential ML by filling […]