After more than 50 years, US President Barack Obama announced plans Wednesday to restore relations with Cuba and re-establish economic ties with the country which could benefit US agriculture and exports.

Beginning Dec. 18 at 11 a.m., USDA will release selected commodity tables from its upcoming Agricultural Projections to 2024 report.

The Organic Trade Association (OTA) is ready to launch a new strategy to promote organic products and educational programs in Japan and around the world.

The report evaluated food safety using 10 performance indicators in three food safety risk governance domains.

The International Cocoa Organization (ICCO) released a statement emphasizing its projections for the supply of cocoa in future years does not reflect the fear in recent reports that identified a possible cocoa deficit of one million tons by 2020.

After months of negotiations the United States and Mexico have reached a settlement over U.S. accusations that Mexico is dumping sugar, to the detriment of U.S. sugar producers. Phillip Hayes, a spokesman for the American Sugar Alliance, says the agreement will help both sugar producers and consumers.

McDonald’s Japan says it has halted all imports of chicken products from China since July when the scandal broke.

Mondelez International said Tuesday it will invest $370 million to acquire an 80 percent stake in the Kinh Do Corporation’s snacks business in Vietnam to accelerate the company’s growth strategy in Asia.

Burger Kind Worldwide, Inc. announced the opening of its first restaurant in New Delhi, marking the fast-food chain’s debut in India as well as a milestone for the brand which is now operating in its 100th country.

The final total of US agricultural exports for the fiscal year 2014 reached a record $152.5 billion, up from the previous year’s record of $141 billion, according to USDA.