Provisional Enforcement of EU MOAH MLs
Provisional Enforcement of EU MOAH MLs As noted in a previous INC update, in May 2026, the European Commission’s proposal on maximum levels for mineral oil aromatic hydrocarbons (MOAH) in food received a favorable vote at the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed (SCOPAFF). Subject to scrutiny by the European Parliament and the […]
European Parliament Passes Tariff Regulation: 0% on US Dried Fruits and Quota for US Tree Nuts
European Parliament Passes Tariff Regulation: 0% on US Dried Fruits and Quota for US Tree Nuts On June 16, 2026, the European Parliament passed legislation implementing the tariff elements of the August 2025 EU-US Joint Statement. In addition to setting customs duties at 0% for various dried fruits from the US, the legislation envisages a […]
ECB Raises Rates by 25 bps as Inflation Pressures Persist Despite Weakening Growth Outlook
ECB Raises Rates by 25 bps as Inflation Pressures Persist Despite Weakening Growth Outlook The European Central Bank (ECB) has met expectations by raising interest rates by 25 basis points in the Eurozone. Unanimously, it has set the deposit facility rate at 2.25%, the main refinancing rate at 2.40%, and the marginal lending facility at […]
US Senate Agriculture Committee to Release Farm Bill Draft in June; Specialty Crops and Tree Nuts Covered
The US Senate Agriculture Committee is expected to release its version of the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 in June, with a committee markup planned later the same month, according to Committee Chairman John Boozman (R-AR). The House passed the US$390 billion, five-year bill on April 30 with a 224-200 vote—the farthest […]
EU Suspends Customs Tariffs on Nitrogen-Based Fertilizers for One Year
EU Suspends Customs Tariffs on Nitrogen-Based Fertilizers for One Year On May 22, 2026, the Council of the European Union approved a one-year suspension of customs duties on nitrogen-based fertilizers, including urea and ammonia, with an estimated savings of €60 million for EU farmers and the fertilizer industry. The suspension excludes imports from Russia and […]
The Fertilizer Crisis: A Supply Chain Wake-Up Call
The Fertilizer Crisis: A Supply Chain Wake-Up Call The near-closure of the Strait of Hormuz has sent global fertilizer prices to their highest levels since 2022, exposing a structural vulnerability in the agricultural supply chains. How the Crisis Unfolded: The current fertilizer shock traces its origins to late February 2026, when hostilities in Iran led […]
A Snapshot of Global Economic Conditions Shaping Global Trade
Trump-Xi Summit Fails to Yield Breakthrough on Tariffs The summit between US President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping on May 14-15, 2026, did not lead to any new tariff agreements, according to a recent report by Oxford Economics. Given the lack of a significant breakthrough during Trump’s visit to China, Oxford Economics left […]
Prepare for El Niño
Fueled by unusually warm ocean waters in the tropical Pacific, El Niño conditions are developing and are set to influence global temperature and rainfall patterns, increasing the risk of extreme weather over the coming months. A new El Niño/La Niña Update from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) indicates an 80% likelihood of an El Niño event during […]
Regulatory News Affecting the Nut and Dried Fruit Trade
EU: Update on Timing of Increased Nickel ML in Pecans As noted in previous INC updates, the European Commission is working on raising the maximum level (ML) for nickel in pecans from 3.5 mg/kg to 10 mg/kg. According to FRUCOM, due to internal delays, a vote to amend the ML will not be possible in June […]
Updates on Policies Shaping Import and Export Conditions in Key Markets
Brazil-USA: Trump Administration Proposes 25% Tariff on Brazilian Goods On June 1, 2026, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) proposed a 25% tariff on many imports from Brazil, after determining that the country had engaged in unfair trade practices in multiple areas, ranging from digital trade to deforestation. The proposal is being put forth […]