The draft regulation, which will replace the 2005 version, has not been notified to the World Trade Organization (WTO). The provisions regulate the application of GI products, opposition procedures, GI protection system, and supervision of the use of GI product names, labels, and penalties.

The CNIPA published its first-ever Five-Year Plan for Geographic Indications on January 21, 2022. The plan aims to promote the development of China’s GI system and enhance the protection of GI products.

A link to the draft Regulation in Chinese: https://www.cnipa.gov.cn/art/2023/9/18/art_75_187625.html An unofficial translation of that report is available in GAIN CH2022-0032, dated March 14, 2022.

The new regulations require applicants to submit suggestions from relevant local governments on the origin range of GI products, documents regarding the establishment of application organizations or identifying associations and enterprises as applicants, and certification materials for GI products.

The provincial quality and technical supervision bureaus and the directly affiliated entry-exit inspection and quarantine bureaus are responsible for providing preliminary review opinions on the protection applications for GI products to be declared and reporting relevant documents and materials to the State Intellectual Property Office.

The AQSIQ conducts a formal review of the applications received. If the application has been reviewed by the provincial quality and technical supervision bureau or the directly affiliated entry-exit inspection and quarantine bureau and has been reviewed and registered by the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection, and Quarantine, an announcement will be issued. The producer can use the special mark for GI products on their products and obtain the certificate.

Legal users of special signs for GI products should download basic pattern vectors from the official website of the State Intellectual Property Office. The vector graphics of the special signs for GI products can be scaled according to the proportion, and the annotations should be clear and legible. The pattern shape, composition, text font, picture and text ratio, color value, etc. of the special signs must not be changed.

After a GI product is protected, the applicant shall take measures to manage the use of GI product names and special marks, product characteristics and quality, etc. An annual reporting system is implemented for the protection of GI products. Before the end of March each year, applicants must report to the State Intellectual Property Office the status of GI product protection in the previous year.

Local intellectual property management departments are responsible for daily supervision of the origin, name, quality characteristics, standard compliance, and use of special marks of protected GI products within their respective administrative regions. Provincial intellectual property management departments should regularly submit regulatory information on GI products and special signs to the State Intellectual Property Office.

The new regulations aim to enhance the protection of GI products and promote the development of China’s GI system. The draft regulation is open for public comment until November 2, 2023. U.S. stakeholders following the development of China’s GI system are welcome to contact AgBeijing@usda.gov and can be put in touch with subject matter experts at other U.S. Government agencies.

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Chile: Retail Foods

In 2022, the Chilean retail food industry witnessed a robust recovery, with total sales reaching approximately $29.5 billion, 20.9 percent over 2021. Supermarkets and grocery stores remained the primary retail channels for food products, accounting for around 55.5 percent of the market share. Chile has one of Latin America’s highest incomes per capita, at $28,887 PPP. There is good sales potential in the Chilean market for U.S. exports of craft beer, distilled spirits, beef cuts, poultry, pork, dairy products (cheeses and ice creams), sauces/mixes/condiments and seasonings, prepared food and frozen meals, snacks foods, and healthy food products.

Singapore: Retail Foods

Singapore’s food retail sector is highly developed and competitive. The industry is comprised of a range of large supermarkets/hypermarkets, convenience stores, “mom and pop” traditional stores, and specialty retailers. 

Thailand: Rice Price – Weekly

Export and domestic rice prices increased by 1-2 percent due to continued demand for Thai rice and the strengthening of the Thai baht.

Canada: Canada Consults on Pesticides Strategy

On June 20, 2023, the Government of Canada announced the next steps in its sustainable approach to pesticide management. As part of the announcement, Canada will restart the process of evaluating pesticide residue limits for increases, following a pause of this activity since August 2021. The announcement also included an announced ban on pesticides used for cosmetic purposes on federal lands as part of the Greening Government Strategy. Additionally, a Notice of Intent was published regarding strengthening the regulations of pest control products in Canada. The consultation remains open from June 20, 2023, to August 19, 2023.

Colombia: Update Sodium Regulation Compliance with Mandatory Third-Party Certifications in Colombia 

Starting July 13, 2023, a third-party certification issued by accredited certifying bodies will be mandatory to certify maximum sodium levels in processed products listed in Colombian Resolution 2013 of 2020. Since Resolution 2013 came into force in November 2022, listed processed products such as cheese, sauces, sausages, and ham were subject to a supplier’s self-declaration in order to be admitted to Colombia. The purpose of this report is to help guide U.S. exporters on how to work with accredited certifying bodies to issue third-party certificates on sodium, the services they render, and prices.

India: Cotton and Products Update June 2023

FAS Mumbai estimates marketing year (MY) 2023/24 India cotton production at 26 million 480 lb. bales on 12.7 million hectares planted, a decrease from the previous year on the expectation that farmers will shift cotton acreage to higher return crops such as oilseeds and pulses. MY 2023/24 cotton sowing is 14 percent lower than last year, predominately in central and southern India due to delayed southwest monsoon rains. The Government of India has increased their MY 2022/23 production estimate to 26.8 million 480 lb. bales, validating that farmers have improved their storage and holding capacity as evidenced by significant volumes of market arrivals late in the season. However, the recent announcement of a 10 percent increase in the MY 2023/24 minimum support price for long-staple cotton may prompt farmers to hold arrivals till new rates are effective from October onwards.

Japan: Updated Guide to New Phytosanitary Certificate Requirements of Japan 

From August 5, 2023, Japan will begin to strictly require phytosanitary certificates (PC) for a broad range of previously exempted agricultural imports. This report aims to provide further details of Japan’s new PC requirements.

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