In 2020, Costa Rica positioned itself as the largest exporter in Central America by selling $148.4 million, and the Netherlands acquired 24.87% of the region's exports.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with the graphic"]
From January to September 2020 exports from Central America of palm oil and its fractions totaled $648 million, an amount that exceeds by 12% what was reported in the same period of 2019.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with the graphic"]
From January to June 2020, exports from Central America of palm oil and its derivatives totaled $336 million, an amount barely 1% higher than that reported for the same period in 2019.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with graph"]
During the first seven months of 2020, exports of palm oil and its derivatives from Central America to Mexican companies totaled $138 million, 22% more than the same period in 2019.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with graph"]
During the first eleven months of 2019, exports of palm oil and its fractions from Central America to Mexican companies totaled $192 million, 25% more than the same period in 2018.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption "Click to interact with graphics"]
During the first half of 2019, exports from Central America of palm oil and its fractions reached $333 million, and sales to companies in Spain increased by 93% compared to the same period in 2018.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with graphics"]
Honduran palm growers do not see improvements in their business in the short term, since they foresee that during 2020 international oil prices will remain low.
Some time ago, businessmen of the sector have been alerting of the crisis they are suffering, because in the first days of July of this year the National Federation of Associations of Oil Palm Producers and Extractors of Honduras (FENAPALMAH) and the Industrial Association of Palm Oil Producers of Honduras (AIPAH), declared themselves in national emergency.
During the first half of 2019, exports of palm oil and its fractions from Central America to Mexican companies totaled $87 million, 37% more than reported in the same period of 2018.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData: [GRAPHIC caption="Click to interact with graphic"]
If the international prices of bananas, coffee, sugar and palm oil do not improve, and if combined with a global economic recession, Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador could stop exporting as much as $2.268 million altogether in 2021.
According to the report "Proceso de integración Centroamericana del Triángulo Norte: Escenarios de riesgo en la matriz de exportación" (Central American Integration Process of the Northern Triangle: Risk Scenarios in the Export Matrix), prepared by the Asociación de Investigación de Estudios Sociales (Asíes), garment making is another activity that could be affected in the coming years.
A bill is being discussed in Congress to facilitate financing for producers and to support them in certifying the quality of their plantations.
Because of the complex scenario faced by African palm producers because of low international prices, the Hernandez administration presented to Congress the bill "Law for the Strengthening of the Productive Sector of Oil Palm."
In recent years, the average price of palm oil exports from Central America has reported a downward trend, from $1.13 per kilo in May 2012 to $0.53 per kilo in March 2019.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with graphic"]
Palm oil producers and traders in Honduras can apply for refinancing or readjustment of loans they have with supervised financial institutions in the country until December 31 of this year.
In order to obtain these benefits, producers and/or traders in the African palm sector must benefit from these mechanisms by 31 December 2019, according to an official source.
Palm oil producers in Honduras declared a national emergency because of the crisis caused by the sharp drop in international prices.
In a statement issued by the National Federation of Associations of Palm Oil Producers and Extractors of Honduras (FENAPALMAH) and the Industrial Association of Palm Oil Producers of Honduras (AIPAH), it is considered that "...