During 2020, Central American imports of infant formula for infant feeding packaged for retail sale totaled $134 million, an amount that is 9% lower than the amount reported in 2019.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with the graph"]
The German Development and Investment Bank will grant a $19 million loan to Cooperativa de Productores de Leche Dos Pinos R.L., part of which will be invested in modernizing and expanding two production plants.
Other projects to be financed with the proceeds will include the renovation of the cold chain infrastructure and improving efficiency in the use of resources during the production process.
As a result of the blockade that has been in place since July 2020 on the entry of animal products from Costa Rica into the Panamanian market, Costa Rican exports to Panama are reported to have fallen and companies such as Dos Pinos are reporting losses in the millions.
The trade conflict began when Panama informed the National Animal Health Service (SENASA), an agency of Costa Rica's Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAG), of the decision not to extend export authorization to a list of previously authorized Costa Rican establishments that have been trading in the Panamanian market for many years.
From January to June 2020, trade in milk and dairy products between Central American countries totaled $183 million, 19% more than what was recorded in the same period of 2019.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with the graph"]
The increase in the international prices of corn and soybeans, inputs used to produce animal feed, threatens to put upward pressure on the production costs of meat, eggs and dairy products.
In recent months, the international price of a bushel (27 kilos) of soybeans increased by 28%, from $10.6 to $13.62, between November 1, 2020 and January 28, 2021.
As a result of the closure of Grupo Lala's factory in Costa Rica, the 37 thousand liters of milk that 70 local producers sold daily to the company of Mexican origin were left without a buyer, however, Dos Pinos promised to acquire the product.
On December 1st Grupo Lala informed that it will close the milk plant that operates in the province of Alajuela. According to the company, the factory will stop operating on December 11th.
After Grupo Lala decided to close the operations of its dairy production plant in Costa Rica, a debate began over whether Dos Pinos' dominance in the local market was due to protectionist policies or to the brand positioning, quality and price of its products.
Arguing that there is greater potential for sustainable and profitable expansion in Nicaragua and Guatemala, the Mexican business group dedicated to dairy production decided to close the operations of its production plant in Costa Rica.
From January to July 2020, companies in the countries of the region imported from Mexico infant and toddler formulas for $57 million, and 50% was purchased by companies in Honduras and Nicaragua.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with graphic"]
Following what began as a blockade by Panama on the entry of animal products from Costa Rica, a formal proposal has been made to apply an import tariff to Costa Rican dairy products marketed in the Panamanian market.
In July of this year, Panama informed the National Animal Health Service (SENASA), an agency of the Costa Rican Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAG), of the decision not to extend the export authorization to a list of Costa Rican establishments previously authorized and that have been trading in the Panamanian market for many years.
In Central America more than 6 million people search online and participate in conversations associated with dairy products, with ice cream, fudge and yogurt being some of the products with the greatest presence in consumer interactions.
An analysis of consumer interests and preferences in Central America, prepared by the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData, yields interesting results on people's preferences and tastes in food and other types of products or services.
In the last five years, liquid milk sales in Central America increased 16%, from $3,935 million in 2014 to about $4,566 million in 2019, growth that was boosted by the Costa Rican and Honduran markets.
Figures from the "Liquid Milk Market Snapshot" prepared by the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData, detail that in the last five years the volume consumed at regional level of liquid milk registered an increase, since between 2014 and 2019 it is estimated that demand in Central America rose from 3,907 to 4,202 million liters.
An industrial plant for the processing of vegetables, fruits, grains, dairy products, roots and tubers will be built in the canton of Coto Brus, province of Puntarenas.
The Costa Rican government awarded the contract for the construction of this industrial complex to the company Vidalco Empresa Constructora. It is estimated that the overall investment will be approximately $3 million.