Argentina: Peanut Export Requirements Eased
On June 18, 2024, Argentina’s official gazette published Resolution 50/2024, which removes peanuts from the list of products for which an Affidavit of Foreign Sale is required.
Chile-EFTA: Modernized Free Trade Agreement Signed
On June 24, 2024, Chile and the members of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) —Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland— signed a protocol of amendment to modernize their free trade agreement. Provisions on trade and sustainable development, financial services, SMEs and e-commerce have been added to the agreement that has been in force since 2004.
China: Brazilian Pecans Gain Market Access
Chinese and Brazilian authorities approved sanitary and quarantine requirements for the import of Brazilian pecans into China. The agreement was reached at the VII Plenary Session of the China-Brazil High-Level Coordination and Cooperation Commission (COSBAN), held in Beijing on June 6, 2024.
Côte d’Ivoire: Temporary RCN Export Ban Partially Lifted
On May 7, 2024, the government of Côte d’Ivoire temporarily suspended exports of raw cashew nut (RCN). The ban was partially lifted in early June and trading subsequently picked up. According to the African Cashew Alliance, as of June 21, it was unclear whether the ban had been fully lifted, as the Ivorian government had not made any official announcement.
EU: Council Sets Higher Tariffs on Russian and Belarusian Peanuts
On May 30, 2024, the Council adopted a regulation that aims to levy prohibitive tariffs on grain products imported from Russia and Belarus. The regulation increases duties on cereals, oilseeds and derived products —including peanuts— from Russia and Belarus to a point that will in practice halt imports of these products. The Regulation was published in the Official Journal of the European Union on June 10 and will enter into force on July 1.
EU: Import Checks and Sampling for High-Risk Organic and In-Conversion Products
The European Commission has published a new initiative that aims to delete the requirement of identity and physical checks and sampling for 100% of consignments of high-risk organic and in-conversion products imported into the EU and introduce flexibility over the share of consignments of high-risk products subject to physical checks and sampling. The feedback period ends on July 16, 2024.
EU: Recognized Control Authorities and Control Bodies for Organic Imports
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/1748, published on June 24, 2024, sets out a list of recognized control authorities and control bodies for organic imports into the EU.
Spain: Almond Receipt Requirements Updated
The main organizations representing the almond value chain in Spain have reached agreement on updated receipt requirements for both in-shell almonds and almond kernels. The new requirements will apply as of August 1, 2024.
USA: Almond Board of California Awarded US$7 Million in USDA Funding for Export Promotion
The Almond Board of California has been awarded US$7 million in funding from the Regional Agricultural Promotion Program (RAPP), a program of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service, to expand market access and promote California almonds in five international markets: India, Morocco, Turkey, Indonesia and Brazil.