US Opens Debate on MFN Tariff Reform at G20 Meeting
At the G20 trade ministers meeting in Milwaukee on September 30 and October 1, 2026, the United States initiated discussions of broad reforms of the Most Favored Nation (MFN) principle, the system of published, unconditional tariff rates that has underpinned global trade since World War II. This is a new topic for the G20, since […]
India-US Trade Talks Reach a “Plateau,” Delaying Expected Tariff Cuts on Tree Nuts
Trade negotiations between India and the United States have reached a plateau, India’s Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on October 5, 2026. She warned that further concessions would be “very, very difficult” for both sides. This is New Delhi’s clearest public acknowledgement so far that talks on key issues have stalled, although Sitharaman noted that […]
Vietnam and Tanzania Move to Strengthen Raw Cashew Supply Chains and Processing Links
Vietnam and Tanzania concluded the second session of their Joint Commission for economic and trade cooperation on September 25, 2026, with agriculture and agro-processing among the priority areas identified for deeper collaboration. The outcome was reported by Vietnam News Agency on September 27. During the meetings, Vietnam’s Intimex Group signed a cooperation agreement with Akros […]
Ghana Announces US$200 Million Investment in Tree Crops, With Cashew Expected to Benefit
Ghana announced an investment of approximately US$200 million to support tree-crop production, with the cashew industry expected to benefit, according to the country’s Information Services Department. The amount allocated specifically to cashew was not disclosed in the announcement. The government said the program is intended to strengthen production, processing and value addition across the tree-crop […]
USDA Funds Program to Address Pesticide-Residue Barriers for Nut and Dried Fruit Exports
The IR-4 Project at North Carolina State University has received a US$10 million, five-year award from the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service as part of the Assisting Specialty Crop Exports initiative to help US specialty-crop exporters address pesticide-residue barriers in international markets. Tree nuts and dried fruits are explicitly included among the high-value crops covered by […]
Spain Updates Country-of-Origin Controls for Nuts and Dried Fruits
Spain published Order ECM/1002/2026 in its official gazette on September 26, 2026, amending the annex to the existing commercial-quality inspection framework. The order entered into force the following day and introduces checks on country-of-origin indications for specified products. The listed products include shelled almonds, hazelnuts, macadamias, pecans, pine nuts, pistachios and walnuts, as well as […]
USDA Extends California Almond Inedible-Disposition Deadline From September 30 to November 30
The USDA Agricultural Marketing Service published a final rule on September 29, 2026, extending the deadline for California almond handlers to meet their inedible disposition obligation from September 30 to November 30. The change is permanent under Marketing Order No. 981 and takes effect on October 29, 2026. Under the marketing order, exceeding the 2% […]
US FDA Import Alert Highlights Cyanide Risk in Bitter Almonds and Apricot Kernels
The US Food and Drug Administration published Import Alert 99-53 on September 28, 2026, covering foods that may be detained without physical examination because of naturally occurring toxins. The alert specifically identifies apricot kernels and bitter almonds as products of concern because they can contain high concentrations of amygdalin. When chewed or ground, amygdalin can […]
Mongolian Media Reports Ban on 2026 Pine-Nut Harvesting
Mongolian news outlet Gereg reported on September 10, 2026, that the harvesting of pine nuts for household and industrial purposes has been prohibited this year in the country’s main pine-nut-growing areas. The report quoted B. Oyuunsanaa, head of Mongolia’s Forestry Agency, who said the decision was taken to leave remaining nuts and fruit available as […]
Colombia Establishes Phytosanitary Requirements for Seedless Dried Grapes From Argentina
Colombia has notified the World Trade Organization (WTO) of the publication of Colombian Agricultural Institute (ICA) Resolution No. 00018421. The resolution establishes phytosanitary requirements for the importation into Colombia of seedless dried grapes originating in and coming from Argentina, for human consumption and/or processing. Key requirements include the following: Phytosanitary certificate: Shipments must be accompanied […]