In 2016, regional maize imports totaled $763 million, 26% of which was imported by six companies in Costa Rica, El Salvador and Panama.
Figures from the information system on the the Corn Market in Central America, compiled by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with the chart"]
In the past three years local consumption and exports have increased, however the number of companies selling abroad has been reduced.
According to figures from the Foreign Trade Promotion Office between 2010 and 2013 foreign sales of fresh and cultivated eggs increased 3.8 times, but were concentrated in the hands of a few. Some production companies which traditionally exported to the region have stopped doing so and managed to offset part of the loss of that market with increasing local consumption of eggs.
Loss of competitiveness in the region has been a constant factor in recent years due to problems in infrastructure, transportation and energy costs.
Although the sector's exports to Central America have maintained a relatively stable rate of growth, entrepreneurs say their products have lost competitiveness against the food industries in neighboring countries, due to the high costs of energy, transportation and infrastructure.
At least ten companies are competing in a market where the amount of tons sold between 2008 and 2013 grew by 24%.
In Costa Rica, the market for sausages is fought over by at least 10 companies, where Corporación Pipasa, a subsidiary of Cargill International, is the largest participant. Whereas in 2008 20.2 tonnes of sausages sold in, 2013, 25 tons were sold in the country.
The Guatemalan food processing company, which currently exports to Nicaragua and Honduras, is looking to break into the Costa Rican market.
The general manager of the company's Perry branded cold meats and sausages, Juan José Herrera, indicated that the procedures required by Costa Rican authorities had been completed and the Cargill is awaiting authorization to begin exporting.
Fifty thousand metric tons from La Unión sugar mill are being loaded at Puerto Quetzal, destined for China.
The grain is being shipped in bulk to be refined by the buyer, Cargill.
Prensalibre.com reported statements by Expogranel services manager, Carlos Ponce, who said that this will be the "biggest load of sugar carried out in the country. The old record was about 46 thousand tons."