Author: News Desk

Korean melons are now exported to Vietnam after 17 years of quarantine negotiations. The Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency (APQA) of South Korea reported that Korean melons were exported for the first time on Monday, marking a significant milestone following the completion of quarantine negotiations with Vietnam. The Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency (APQA), under South Korea’s Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, declared that the Seongju Agricultural Cooperative in North Gyeongsang Province successfully exported Korean melons to Vietnam for the first time, following the conclusion of quarantine negotiations with Vietnam in April of last year. Since 2008, the…

Indonesia’s Minister of Energy declared plans to grant Freeport Indonesia a six-month export license for copper concentrates. Indonesia has outlined to grant the mining company Freeport Indonesia a six-month license to export copper concentrate, supporting operations amid the smelter repair. The decision seeks to ensure the continuation of government royalty revenues while assisting Freeport in addressing the consequences of fire damage. On Monday, Energy Minister Bahlil Lahadalia proclaimed the extension of the export permit, emphasizing the government’s dedication to maintaining revenue from the mining company. “We are giving six months so they can expeditiously fix the smelter so Indonesia can…

The United States has reached out to Denmark and other European nations with a request to export eggs as the nation contends with soaring egg prices and supply shortages, the Nordic country’s egg association reported on Friday. The appeal comes amid rising egg prices in the U.S., following high tariffs imposed by Trump on imports from neighboring countries. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has approached Denmark and other European nations, requesting an increase in egg exports as U.S. poultry farms struggle with avian flu. U.S. wholesale egg prices have hit record highs despite Trump’s pledge to reduce egg prices on…

The European Union on Friday backed plans to impose tariffs on certain fertilizers and additional farm imports from Russia and its ally Belarus to intensify financial pressure on Moscow. The measures, introduced by the European Commission in January, received approval from government representatives during a meeting in Brussels. The proposal focuses on the remaining 15% of Russian agricultural products excluded from the extensive tariffs implemented last July. If enacted, it would impose EU tariffs on all agricultural imports from Russia. The European Council stated that the newly imposed tariffs are anticipated to curtail Russia’s export revenues and hinder its ability…

The Government of Sudan has officially imposed an import ban on all products from Kenya in response to Kenya hosting the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), currently engaged in a two-year civil war against the Sudan army. In a decree issued by Sudan’s Acting Minister of Trade and Supplies, Omar Ahmed Mohamed Ali, it was stated that the importation of all products from Kenya through all ports, crossings, airports, and entry points is suspended effective immediately and until further notice. Last month, the Rapid Support Forces and its associated political and armed groups signed a political charter in Nairobi to…

Panama’s President, Jose Raul Mulino, declared that he has authorized the transfer of copper concentrate from First Quantum’s closed Cobre Panama mine. During his weekly press conference, President José Raúl Mulino stated that he had authorized the transfer of the wasted copper concentrate from the Cobre Panamá mine. He emphasized that Panama has made a significant financial investment in the material and expects reimbursement once it’s processed abroad. “I also authorized the start-up of the 300 MW thermoelectric plant so that it can be exported through the port and coal imported,” Mulino added. The Minera Panamá subsidiary of Canadian company…

The Dangote Refinery, Africa’s largest oil refinery, is increasing its crude oil imports from international suppliers to complement its domestic deliveries as it ramps up operations. The Dangote Refinery has a crucial role in Nigeria’s push for self-sufficiency in petroleum products and reducing reliance on imported fuel. As the facility nears full capacity, the refinery is now seeking crude oil imports to maintain production targets. According to Bloomberg, the refinery has obtained over three million barrels of crude from the United States from the beginning of the month. Additionally, it has secured Angola’s Pazflor grade and Algeria’s Saharan Blend through…

The Kenya Scrap Metal Council (SMC) has declared in a statement on Tuesday that the registered scrap metal dealers in Kenya are required to submit all applications to apply for import and export permits through the Trade Facilitation Platform (TFP) from March 15. The shift to online permit applications is anticipated to streamline operations within the scrap metal industry while also strengthening compliance and regulatory oversight. SMC stated that all applications must be processed through the Trade Facilitation Platform, an automated system designed to improve efficiency in the scrap metal sector. The Scrap Metal Council, in collaboration with the Kenya…

The Brazilian government has proposed to increase its sugar export quota to the United States as part of ongoing negotiations. The move has long been advocated by the country’s sugar industry, which is the largest producer and exporter of sugar. The proposal has gained significant attention in Brasília, where it is positioned as a potential bargaining tool. The move comes as a response to ongoing pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump, who has been pushing for a reduction in Brazil’s 18% tariff on American ethanol imports. Other proposals under review include expanding Brazil’s beef export quota and obtaining market access…

Japan’s Trade Minister, Yoji Muto, revealed that Japan will not be exempt from 25% U.S. tariffs on exports. Japan will face a 25% tariff on steel, aluminum, and auto exports starting Wednesday. President Trump indicated that the U.S. might implement a 25% tariff on imported foreign automobiles in early April. Japanese officials visiting Washington this week were unable to secure guarantees from the Trump administration that Japan would be exempt from extensive tariffs, some of which are set to take effect on Wednesday. Muto stressed that Japan, a key contributor to the U.S. economy through investments and job creation, should…