In the first quarter of 2019, the countries of the region imported 31,943 tons of candies, chocolates and other cocoa-based preparations, a volume 6% higher than that reported during the same period in 2018.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAPHIC caption="Click to interact with graphic"]
After last year's sales of grain abroad grew 19% compared to 2017, in the first eight months of 2019 Nicaraguan cocoa exports totaled $5.8 million, 48% more than in the same period of 2018.
Regarding the volume traded, the figures of the Exports Processing Center (Cetrex) that between January and August 2018 and the same period of 2019, the figure increased from 2,433 to 3,405 tons.
Even though in 2018 cocoa was better quoted internationally, the volume sold abroad fell 8% compared to 2017, going down from 4,238 to 3,886 tons.
In contrast to the negative variation in the volume traded, figures from the Export Processing Center (Cetrex) detail that between 2017 and 2018 the value of exports registered a 18.9% growth, increasing from $5.3 million to $6.3 million. This increase is explained by the behavior of the grain price.
Producers in El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala, will have a processing plant, technical assistance and a global distribution network.
The funds from the Italian-Latin American International Organization (IILA) and the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) are part of the project entitled "Revitalization of the quality cocoa chain in Central America and the Caribbean."
A group of entrepreneurs from the Asian nation will be visiting Nicaragua to buy coffee and cocoa, and also explore new opportunities with local companies in the meat industry.
The delegation consists of 14 businesspeople interested in buying mainly coffee and cocoa.According to the Taiwanese ambassador in Nicaragua, Jaime Wu, most of them will be visiting the country for the first time.
A group of Asian cocoa buyers is expected to visit the country in March.
The business mission is being organized by the Embassy of Taiwan in Nicaragua, which has previously led visits by Taiwanese businessmen who come to Central America interested in buying coffee.
The cacao producers union is planning to produce this year close to 1,500 tons of cocoa, 25% more than the production recorded at the close of 2017.
Last year the export value went down 4%, due to unfavorable conditions in international prices, but the export volume grew by 34%, according to data from the Association of Producers and Exporters of Nicaragua (Apen).Guillermo Jacoby, president of the Apen, explained to Elnuevodiario.com.ni: "...'Wewent from 4.2 million kilos to 5.5 million kilos last year'."
In 2016 Central American countries imported $329 million worth of confectionary, chocolates and other preparations based on cacao, 7% more than in 2015.
Figures from the information system on theConfectionery and Chocolates Market in Central America, compiled by the Business Intelligence Unit atCentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption = "Click to interact with the graph"]
At the beginning of April, cocoa futures prices continued the sustained downward trend initiated from the latter part of the previous month.
From the monthly report by the Cocoa International Organization:
Price movements
In April, the ICCO daily price averaged US$1961 per tonne, down by US$97 compared to the average price recorded in the previous month (US$2,058) and ranged between US$1,833 and US$2,123 per tonne.
Between January and September 2016 Central American countries as a whole imported a monthly average of $26 million worth of confectionery and chocolates.
Data from a report entitled 'Candy and Chocolate Marketin Central America',presented by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [Figure caption = "Click to interact with graphics"]
Fresh fruits, processed fruits, concentrates and fruit juices, coffee and cocoa are the main products with potential for export to China.
From a statement issued by Procomer of Costa Rica:
San José, November 18, 2016. Fresh fruits, processed fruits, concentrates and fruit juices, as well as coffee and cocoa are the main Costa Rican products that have potential for export to the Republic of Korea; a developed country with sophisticated and demanding consumers, in terms of innovation and quality.
Ecuador is preparing a plan to reactivate the production of fine cocoa and plans to increase sales in the international market in 2025 to $3 billion.
The recovery plan for aromatic fine cocoa will raise sales in the international market to $3 billion in 2025, above bananas and shrimp, which are Ecuador's star products.
World production projected for the end of 2015/16 cycle will decrease by 6% compared to the period 2014/15.
From a report at the end of August by the International Cocoa Organization:
London, 31 August 2016--The International Cocoa Organization today releases its revised forecasts for the current 2015/2016 cocoa year and revised estimates of world production, grindings and stocks of cocoa beans for 2014/2015, as summarized below.
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