The Agriculture Department should move quickly to increase the tariff-rate quotas (TRQs) for raw and refine sugar in addition to the reallocation of existing TRQs, the Sweetener Users Association (SUA) said in a letter to the USDA. The letter follows a recent similar request from the SUA to the USDA. New World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates projections highlight the needs for a major TRQ increase. According to the letter, ending stocks are now projected at just 6.8% of total use, well under half of a normal level even under the most conservative assumptions.

The Agricultural Marketing Service issued a final rule amending the Mango Promotion, Research, and Information Order to increase the assessment rate on first handlers and importers of mangos from one half cent per pound to three quarters of a cent per pound. The National Mango Board recommended the action to ensure that its research and promotion programs continue to be adequately funded.

The Grain Inspection, Packers, and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) is requesting comments by June 11, 2012, on its proposed rule that would revise the U.S. Standards for Wheat under the U.S. Grain Standards Act (USGSA) to (i) change the definition of Contrasting classes (CCL) in Hard White wheat and (ii) change the grade limits for shrunken and broken kernels (SHBN).

The Foreign Agriculture Service released the following Production, Markets and Trade Reports on April 10, 2012:

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service issued emails April 11, 2012, announcing changes to some Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) electronic manuals. While some changes are minor, other changes may affect the admissibility of the plant products, including fruits, vegetables, and flowers.

The Food Safety and Inspection Service reports that the Regional Committee on Europe is requesting comments by July 20, 2012, on the proposed regional standard for the fresh fungus chanterelle. Details follow:

From March 26 to March 28, 2012, the Foreign Agriculture Service issued the following GAIN reports:

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service issued emails April 9, 2012, announcing changes to some Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) electronic manuals. While some changes are minor, other changes may affect the admissibility of the plant products, including fruits, vegetables, and flowers.

From March 21 to March 23, 2012, the Foreign Agriculture Service issued the following GAIN reports:

The Foreign Agriculture Service reports that private exporters reported to the U.S. Department of Agriculture export sales of 165,000 metric tons of soybeans to China during the 2012/2013 marketing year. The marketing year for soybeans began September 1.