USDA/Global Agricultural Information Network Reports — September 2026
Below is a summary of export trade news highlights, compiled by the International Trade Office.
Canada Livestock and Products Annual Report
The Canadian cattle herd is forecast to expand in 2027. Heifer retention and reduced cow culling have led to expansion of the breeding herd. Consequently, the 2027 calf crop, slaughter numbers, and beef production are forecast to see growth. Global demand for beef will continue to support strong export performance. The Canadian swine herd is also forecast to see some growth in 2027. A larger breeding herd and higher productivity per sow will support a larger pig crop. Pork exports are forecast to decline.
Mexico Grain and Feed Update
Mexico’s corn, rice, and sorghum production are forecast to decline in marketing year 2026/27, pressured by weak profitability, elevated input costs, and erratic weather. Corn, wheat, and rice imports are expected to rise as domestic output falls short. Sorghum imports are projected to fall based on reduced livestock consumption. The U.S. is expected to remain the main supplier of Mexico’s grain and feed imports.
Brazil Livestock and Products Annual Report
Brazil is the largest beef producing and exporting country in the world. Slaughter is expected to decrease in 2027 due to the start of the reversion of the cattle cycle. Producers are likely to begin holding cattle from the market, driving calf prices upwards. Beef exports are forecast to decrease 1% in 2027, following reduced exports in 2026 due to trade restrictions from major trading partners.
Brazil Biofuels Annual Report
Brazil has raised its mandatory anhydrous ethanol blend in gasoline to 32%, a temporary measure designed to reduce gasoline imports and absorb the country's growing ethanol surplus amid rapidly expanding corn ethanol production. The biodiesel blend mandate remains steady at 15%.
Colombia Biofuels Annual Report
Colombia's fuel ethanol production for 2026 is forecast to fall 10% to 400 ML as sugar mills reallocate a larger share of cane toward sugar production amid a gradual, weather-related recovery in cane supply. This shift is expected to push ethanol imports up 16% to 505 ML, raising their share of consumption above 55%. Biodiesel production in 2026 is estimated to rise 4.5% to 765 ML on record crude palm oil output, with the B10 mandate unchanged and Colombia remaining fully self-sufficient in biodiesel feedstock. Colombia's SAF Roadmap target to produce 100 million gallons by 2035 remains in place, and a new Ecopetrol marine biodiesel blend (B2) is expanding from the Caribbean to the Pacific coast. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz strained Colombia's fuel price stabilization fund due to elevated international crude prices.
China Oilseeds and Products Update
MY 2026/27 forecast for soybean production is lowering slightly to 20.1 MMT on a smaller planted area. Chinese SOEs continue to purchase U.S. soybeans in accordance with the Busan agreement. As of August 13, USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) Export Sales data indicate that China had purchased 5.7 MMT of soybeans for delivery in MY 2026/27, with an additional 3.8 MMT being sold to “Unknown Destinations.”
Taiwan Further Extends Tariff and Business Tax Cuts for Imported Ag Commodities
On September 16, 2026, Taiwan’s Executive Yuan announced the 18th wave of tariff and business tax cuts on selected agricultural imports, extending relief through March 31, 2027. The measures maintain full waivers on the business tax for soybeans, wheat, and corn, a full waiver on the wheat import tariff, and 50% tariff reductions on butter, baking-use milk powder, anhydrous milk fat, and beef. The extension responds to renewed Middle East volatility, with Brent crude reaching $130.54 per barrel on September 15, 2026.
US-Korea Free Trade Agreement Tariff Rate Quota and Agricultural Safeguard Update
This report provides an update on the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement (KORUS FTA) Tariff Rate Quota (TRQ) and Agricultural Safeguard (ASG) product fill rates. The 3,782 metric ton orange TRQ was fully allocated, to a total of 98 bidders, on August 28, 2026, with an implementation period of September 1, 2026, through February 28, 2028. In contrast, the second ginseng TRQ auction, held on September 4, 2026, had no bidders.
South Korea Livestock and Products Annual Report
Republic of Korea cattle herd is expected to continue to decline with lower beef production for 2026 and 2027. High domestic beef prices continue to support demand for imported beef but tight supplies from major suppliers will limit import growth. Swine production's recovery is expected to be led by improved sow productivity in 2027.
Japan Livestock and Products Annual Report
Japan's beef production, consumption, and imports are all forecast to decline in 2027, driven by shrinking cattle herds, fewer breeding farms, and thrift-driven demand shifts toward pork and chicken amid persistent inflation and a weakened yen. Rising production costs continue to squeeze margins despite higher carcass prices. Pork inventory and production are expected to remain stable in 2027, supported by solid demand and pork's price advantage over beef. However, pork imports are set to slow following a sharp 2026 surge.
Philippines Grain and Feed Update
Milled rice production forecast is lowered and maintains its consumption forecast for MY 2026/27, as a moderate to strong El Niño and elevated fertilizer costs weigh on production. Rice imports are maintained to offset the anticipated production shortfall, consistent with Department of Agriculture guidance on building buffer stocks against drought and monsoon risk.
India Oilseeds and Products Update
India's MY 2026/27 soybean acreage and production estimates were revised down due to erratic monsoon rains and farmer diversification toward cotton and corn. Soybean imports were revised up supported by favorable harvests among African suppliers. Soybean oil production is revised down on weaker oilseed output. Palm oil export estimates revised up on stronger packaged exports, with ending stocks trimmed.
Thailand Grain and Feed Monthly Report
MY 2026/27 rice production is forecast down 2% from MY 2025/26 to 20.3 MMT, as tighter water supplies and an emerging El Niño reduce off-season planting. Rice exports hold at 7.3 MMT under a strong Thai baht and sustained Indian and Vietnamese competition, pushing ending stocks to a five-year high. Corn imports rebound in MY 2026/27 as the expanded 1 MMT zero-duty WTO quota and extended AFTA window restore supplies curtailed by burn-free certification requirements that cut imports by a third in MY 2025/26. Wheat imports ease to 3.3 MMT as recovering corn availability displaces feed wheat.
Egypt Grain and Feed Update
A decrease in Egypt’s wheat imports is estimated for MY 2026/27, totaling 12.0 MMT, due to increased domestic production and excess stock carry over for its strategic reserves. Corn imports are estimated to remain steady in MY 2026/27, similar the previous year. An increase in corn imports from the U.S. and South America will offset Ukrainian export disruptions and meet growing poultry-sector feed demand. Rice production is expected to remain steady compared to last year.
Australia Livestock and Products Annual Report
Australian beef production and exports are estimated to reach record levels in 2026 before easing modestly in 2027. Record cattle slaughter is being sustained by a large and increasingly productive herd despite elevated female turnoff. Strong U.S. demand for lean beef remains a key driver, although China safeguard tariffs and temporary U.S. tariff-rate quota changes are expected to temper growth. Live cattle exports are estimated lower in 2026 but forecast to recover in 2027. Australian pork production remains broadly flat as high retail pork prices constrain demand. Pork consumption is forecast to rise modestly with population growth.