Increasing demand, new competitors of all kinds and the manufacture of uncertified products are some of the changes that this business is bringing to the pandemic scenario in Costa Rica.
According to CentralAmericaData reports, in Costa Rica since January 5, 2020 the interactions on the Internet associated with cleaning products show a clear upturn.
Sales via websites, social networks and instant messaging systems, as well as offering home delivery and including frozen food on menus, are some of the innovations that restaurants have had to apply in the new commercial reality.
Until the abrupt change in consumption habits brought about by the covid-19 outbreak in Costa Rica, restaurants did not imagine that the situation would force them to abandon their classic table service.
In the context of the tense diplomatic and commercial relationship between the two world powers, Central American countries could have the opportunity to attract new investments, as it is estimated that some American companies would need to migrate their operations to the American continent.
As a result of the tension between the two nations, Mauricio Claver-Carone, an advisor to President Trump, believes that U.S.
Because the Asian giant is the world's largest buyer of fresh fruit and people are willing to consume new and tropical foods, the region's pineapple producers have the opportunity to increase their business with the Chinese market.
According to a study conducted by the Foreign Trade Promoter (Procomer), China remains one of the largest producers of fruit in the world, but quality remains a problem, so they are interested in imported fruit, added to consumers looking for better quality products as part of the search for a healthier lifestyle.
The health and economic crisis will result in a reordering of foreign investment at the global level, and countries like Central America will have the opportunity to take advantage of their geographical position to attract fresh capital.
The outbreak of covid-19 worldwide will cause a drop in production in 2020, however, by 2021 and 2022 the forecasts of international organizations anticipate that economic activity could rebound, a rise that would be coupled with new investments in various markets and sectors.
Increased demand for cleaning products, the use of e-commerce as a purchasing channel and the preference for functional foods are some of the new trends that will prevail in the medium and long term, once the pandemic is overcome.
According to a study prepared by the Foreign Trade Promoter of Costa Rica (Procomer), the outbreak of covid-19 has caused changes in consumer behavior and to take advantage of the opportunities one must begin to understand those that will come after the pandemic is overcome.
Logistics, banking, tourism and education are some of the sectors in Panama that need to modernize their computer systems, which generates business opportunities for developers of technological solutions.
According to a study prepared by the Foreign Trade Promoter (Procomer), Panama's ICT market exceeds $1.5 billion per year as a contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
New health and hygiene protocols in the establishments and the commitment to attract national tourists in an environment where short trips will be preferred, are some of the trends predicted in the new "normality" that will come after the quarantine period.
Given the quarantines decreed by most governments worldwide, it is anticipated that the habits of tourists will change dramatically in the short and medium term, as the crisis of covid-19 will leave consequences among consumers.
The restrictions on mobility decreed in the region open up new opportunities for sales points such as small self-service shops, grocery stores and corner shops, which can make use of home delivery service schemes to boost their sales in this context.
In the current context of health crisis, large supermarket chains have implemented safety and hygiene protocols, which force consumers to assume long waiting times to do their shopping.
In the context of the current health emergency, Costa Rican companies working in the production of food and cleaning supplies have had to considerably increase their operations to cover the growing demand.
The covid-19 outbreak caused consumers to increase spending on basic necessities such as food and cleaning supplies in recent weeks, forcing companies in these sectors to work overtime, invest in equipment and hire more workers on a temporary basis.
Within this context of health emergency, the mobility restriction measures decreed by the governments have forced people to change their consumption habits, a situation that forces companies to look for ways to deliver the products to their customers.
In order to adapt to this new economic reality and derived from the outbreak of covid-19 in Central American countries, companies have been forced to rely on marketing channels that until a few weeks ago were not among the most important in their commercial strategy.
Analyzing the economic and financial situation of the company, implementing a resistance plan, identifying what products customers need and what opportunities can be exploited in this context, are some of the tips for businesses in the new and complex reality.
In response to the arrival of the covid-19 virus in the region, Central American economies have taken different measures, in scenarios ranging from severe mobility restrictions, as in Guatemala or Honduras, to others that are less strict but equally negative for economic activity, as in Costa Rica.
Because of the restrictions on movement decreed in Central American countries, orders in applications dedicated to home delivery have increased considerably.
The services of electronic delivery platforms such as Hugo and Uber Eats, among others, are among the few sectors that will be able to circulate in El Salvador after Nayib Bukele announced on March 21 the home quarantine, which will last 30 days.
Following the spread of the virus globally and the suspension of some production in China, several garment companies in the region have reported increases in their orders.
The spread of the epidemic has stopped much of the economic activity of the Asian giant, which is the largest exporter of textiles in the world. This situation has forced buyers to look for alternatives.
Costa Rican businessmen who export cassava-based snacks agree that the product is accepted in different markets worldwide and that there are still opportunities to be exploited.
According to managers of the Costa Rican Chamber of Exporters, local companies engaged in the production of such products have the competitive advantage that the country harvests high quality cassava, because the sweet taste and levels of softness differentiate them from other manufacturers.