On September of 25, 2018, the U.S. Commodity Credit Corporation and Farm Service Agency notified the availability Market Facilitation Program (MFP) funds for eligible producers of shelled almonds.

On September 24, 2018, the US and Korea signed an updated Free Trade Agreement (KORUS) which includes several renovated customs guidelines.

The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety of Korea notified the World Trade Organization of the proposed amendments to the Standards and Specifications for Food Additives.

The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety of Korea notified the World Trade Organization (WTO) of the proposed amendments to the Standards and Specifications for Foods.

According to a USDA GAIN Report, on September 13, 2018, Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare announced revisions to the Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs) for some agricultural chemicals.

India has extended by 45 days for the second time the imposition of higher customs duties on 29 products imported from the US, including almonds and walnuts.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has received several initial filings of pesticide petitions requesting the establishment or modification of regulations for residues of pesticide chemicals in or on various commodities.

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) published the Reasoned Opinion on “Review of the existing maximum residue levels for myclobutanil according to Article 12 of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005”.

On July 25, 2018, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) published the 2016 European Union Report on Pesticide Residues in Food, finding that more than 96% of the samples analyzed were found to be within legal limits; around 51% were free of any quantifiable residues.

At the China International Tree Nut Conference held in Zhuhai, on August 1-3, 2018, the subjective Walnut Crop estimate was set by Representing Councils at 830,000 metric tons. Representatives from the regions of Yunnan, Xinjiang, Shanxi, Hebei, Gamsu, Henan and Shaanxi reported a crop similar to last year’s final receipt of 840,000 MT.