Because of the foreign sales of companies in Guatemala and Honduras, during the first six months of 2018 regional exports totaled $100 million, 19% more than in the same period in 2017.
Figures from the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralamericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with graphic"]
Abolishing pre-certification inspection for industrial, commercial or service establishments in Costa Rica, a proposal is being made to reduce the period for processing health permits from 91 to 7 days.
From Procomer's statement:
The Ministry of Economy, Industry and Commerce (MEIC), the Foreign Trade Promoter of Costa Rica (PROCOMER) and the Ministry of Health issued Executive Decree No. 41435-S that abolishes the inspection prior to the granting of the certificate for industrial, commercial or service establishments, qualified as high health and environmental risk (risk group A).
Walmart launched a new distribution center for vegetables, fruits, vegetables and grains in Coris, Cartago.
The company reported that the new distribution center has the capacity to serve 140 agricultural producers per day, is located on a 150,000 m2 lot and the construction area is 24.000 m2.
In December, the FAO food price index fell 4% compared to the same month in 2017, explained by the decline in prices of meat, dairy products, vegetable oils and sugar.
From FAO's monthly report:
The FAO Food Price Index* (FFPI) averaged 161.7 points in December 2018, nearly unchanged from its November value as lower dairy and sugar quotations were largely offset by firmer cereal prices and somewhat higher prices of meat and oils. For the whole of 2018, the FFPI averaged 168.4 points, down 3.5 percent from 2017 and almost 27 percent below the highest level of 230 points reached in 2011. Sugar values dropped the most in 2018, with also vegetable oil, meat and dairy prices registering year-on-year decreases. However, international prices of all major cereals rose in 2018.
From March 21st to 23rd in Antigua, Guatemala, more than 150 international buyers will participate in business rounds with agricultural producers in the region.
The AGRITRADE Platform of AGEXPORT invites Guatemalan companies of vegetables, fruits, differentiated products, ornamental plants, flowers and foliage, logistics, inputs and agro-industry to promote their exportable offer in the 19th. Edition of AGRITRADE Expo & Conference 2019, which is being designed as the international business fair specialized in fresh, frozen and ready to eat products.
Because of the dry season and the rise in temperature, Costa Rica expects an increase in pests in crops such as melon, watermelon, courgette, chili, tomato, beans and cucumbers, among others.
Authorities of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAG) informed that the climatic conditions foreseen for the coming months are associated with the El Niño-Southern Oscillation phenomenon.
The fall in international grain prices in recent years has increasingly affected producers in the region, who at current prices do not even reach the production costs.
Since years ago, international sugar prices have reported a clear downward trend, and in the last twelve months the quintal price registered a fall of 23%.
Because Costa Rica forecasts less rainfall in the Pacific and North Coastal Belt, demand for animal feed is expected to increase in the coming months.
The National Meteorological Institute (IMN) forecasts the presence of El Niño phenomenon with moderate intensity and its influence will extend from November 2018 to May or June 2019.
It is detailed in the "Seasonal Climate Forecast November 2018 - March 2019" of the IMN, that the North Pacific region (Guanacaste) has a historical average precipitation or rainfall of 150 millimeters (per square meter) for that period, while for the current one it will only receive between 45 millimeters and 75 millimeters.
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Because of the low grain prices reported in 2018, it is estimated that there could be a reduction in supply, which would lead to a rebound in prices this year.
On average, the pound price of grain was close to $1.15 during 2018, however, global businessmen forecast that for this year the price could rise to $1.24 per pound.
In the first nine months of 2018, 21 environmental impact studies were presented in Central America to adapt land for cultivation and processing of agricultural products.
The interactive platform "Construction in Central America", compiled by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData, includes an up to date list of public and private constructionprojects for which environmental impact studies (EIA) were submitted to the respective institutions of each country.
In Costa Rica, the sector guild reports that during 2018, total exports of the food industry registered a slight decrease of 1% compared to last year's foreign sales.
The Costa Rican Chamber of Food Industry (Cacia) reported that the products recording falls in sales abroad this year were flours, fats, seafood, sugar, pastas, juices and alcohol, especially by the decline in purchases in the U.S. and Europe.
The WTO was part of the panel of experts that will resolve Mexico's lawsuit against Costa Rica, arising from the barriers imposed by the Costa Rican authorities to import the fruit.
The trade conflict emerged because of the barriers that Costa Rica imposes since 2014 to the entry of avocado from Mexico. Because the dispute remains unresolved, the authorities of the North American country requested last November 27 to the World Trade Organization (WTO) to submit the case to an arbitration panel.
In the first half of the year, countries in the region exported $51 million in frozen fruit, 11% less than in the same period in 2017.
Figures from the information system on the Frozen Fruit Market in Central America compiled by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with graphic"]
In the first six months of the year, countries in the region imported candies, chocolates and other cocoa-based products for $167 million, 3% more than in the first half of 2017.
Figures from the information system on the Candy and Chocolate Market in Central America compiled by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with graphic"]
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