Meeting the demands of consumers who increasingly seek responsibility in the production chain and balancing sales between physical and digital formats are part of the challenges faced by businesses in Panama.
The CEO and president of Grupo Rey, Hernán Muntaner, points out that globally the sales of modern channels such as hypermarkets and supermarkets are decreasing, giving way to other forms such as online channels and discount stores.
The European country represents a market of 10 million inhabitants and its per capita expenditure on fruits and vegetables reaches $500 million per year, one of the highest in this category.
Procomer Costa Rica's "Fresh and Processed Foods in Portugal" study shows that in 2018, food spending in Portugal, including alcoholic beverages, reached $3,132 per capita, 20% of total consumption spending.
Because of the slowdown in the economy and the entry into force of new taxes, in 2020 is expected a slight growth of 1% in the number of franchise brands in Costa Rica.
In the last year, the growth in the number of franchises reported a significant slowdown, since the figures of the guild specify that up to May this year the net number of brands reached 361, a value that exceeds by just 0.6% the 358 registered in the same month of 2018.
Between 2017 and 2018, honey production increased by 5%, and according to businessmen there are opportunities for the sector to continue on the right path, because in the Costa Rican market there is still demand that can not be met with local production.
The Agricultural Statistical Bulletin, prepared by the Executive Secretariat of Agricultural Sector Planning, states that between 2017 and 2018 production grew from 1,128 to 1,180 metric tons.
By analyzing the behavior of the global market, it is established that Holland, Switzerland and Germany are willing to pay a higher price for a distinctive cup of coffee.
Between the Committee of Distinguished Coffees of the guild of exporters of Guatemala and the European Union, they carried out the study called "Trends and Opportunities of exportation of coffee with added value", in which the price of coffee in 77 cities of the world was compared.
From July 25th to 28th, Expomueble y Promueble will be held at ExpoCenter del Grand Tikal Futura, an event that will bring together the main producers and distributors of inputs, tools, machinery and services for the entire production chain.
The Organizing Committee and the Commission of Manufacturers of Furniture, Wood and its Products (COFAMA) of AGEXPORT estimates the participation in the exhibition floor of 15,000 visitors among carpenters, furniture manufacturers, developers of construction projects, architects, interior designers, students and public.
In the last fifteen years, the herd in the country has grown 300%, and it is reported that in some store chains the demand for meat and other buffalo products exceeds the supply.
Between 2004 and 2019, the number of buffaloes has increased considerably, from 3,000 to 12,000 heads, and according to estimates by the National Technical University (NTU), there are currently some 270 production farms in the country.
The plan to impose a 5% tariff on Mexican products entering the U.S. would open up opportunities for Central American countries to increase their sales to the U.S., but there are fears that similar measures could be taken against the region.
On May 30, President Trump announced on his Twitter account that he plans to impose a 5% tariff on Mexican products entering the U.S.
This cannel represents 42% of total spending by U.S. consumers on food outside the home, making it the sixth country in the world with the highest per capita spending on food in this type of channel.
The study "Characterization of the foodservice channel in the United States", by Procomer Costa Rica, indicates that 33% of what Costa Rica exports to the U.S.
The growing preference for freshly prepared foods meeting the demands of health-conscious consumers explains the niche market that is developing in Costa Rica.
Some of the companies which have found a niche market in the preparation of gourmet food specialized in the country, have emerged in response to the lack of time for people to cook and the need that several consumers have to meet the goals they define together with nutrition professionals.
At least 183 products, especially from the food, metalworking and chemical sectors, stand out for their marketing potential in the Moroccan market.
The Foreign Trade Promoter of Costa Rica (PROCOMER), prepared the study "Mapping Morocco: the commercial gateway to Africa", which identified 183 products with theoretical potential to be exported to this destination.
The construction of the road to Monteverde in Costa Rica, which has been postponed for years and that in the coming weeks would publish the tender documents, promises to further enhance tourism in the sector.
This is not the first attempt by a government to develop this important road project. In July 2014 the Ministry of Public Works announced that it would publish in 2015 a "direct competitive tender" to asphalt 18 kilometers of road in the province of Puntarenas.
From May 14 to 16 in Guatemala, textile exporters from the region will meet with international buyers at Apparel Sourcing Show, to explore business opportunities.
The objective of the event is to allow all members of the Central American industry value chain to expose their capabilities to buyers and promote the integration of the supply chain.
The unsatisfied demand for vegetables in the Salvadoran market opens opportunities for businessmen in the region to place their products in the coming years.
A diagnosis by the Foundation for Investment and Development of Exports of Honduras (Fide), estimates that by 2021 in El Salvador the unsatisfied demand for white onion, carrot and potato, together will total about 30 million tons.
From May 9 to 10 in Costa Rica Expotur 2019 will be held at the National Convention Center, which will bring together 230 international buyers from the tourism sector from 35 countries.
Erasmo Rojas, president of the Costa Rican Association of Tourism Professionals (Acoprot), explained to Nacion.com that "... The activity consists of two days of negotiations and alliances that allow revitalize the tourist offer each year and generate millions of dollars in tourist currency for accommodations, food and transportation."