In 2018, companies from Central American countries imported petroleum oils for $10.066 million, 21% more than in 2017, a rise due to purchases from the United States.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="click to interact with graphic]
Because of the demands of the brands, companies producing synthetic yarns in El Salvador have been replacing virgin polyester by recycled plastic in the manufacture of their products.
Representatives of Unifi Central America, one of the companies producing synthetic yarns in the country, assure that 40% of recycled raw material and 60% of virgin plastic resin are currently used.
In the first nine months of 2018, trade in paints and varnishes between countries in the region totaled $91 million, down 9% from the same period in 2017.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with graphics]
From January to September 2018, countries in the region imported $530 million worth of insecticides, herbicides and fungicides, and 46% were bought by companies in Guatemala and Costa Rica.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with graphics]
Pharmaceuticals, plastics, food preparations, sugar and confectionery, and electric cables continue to be the main products sold from the region to businesses on the island.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with the graphic"]
Companies in the region can submit their applications for new labels according to the new Central American Regulation on Pesticide Labeling until December 20, 2020.
The regulation amendment came into force at the end of 2018, and stipulates that after the authorities approve the changes to product labeling, companies will have one more year to exhaust the existence of previous labels in the market.
During the first nine months of 2018, Central American countries imported $271 million in plastic pipe and fittings, and purchases from Mexican companies grew 9% over the same period in 2017.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with graphic"]
In the first nine months of 2018, countries in the region imported petroleum oils for $7,598 million, 25% more than in the same period in 2017, a rise explained by purchases from the U.S.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with graphic"]
Because of increases in purchases from companies in Mexico, China and Taiwan between the first half of 2017 and the same period in 2018, imports of plastic and its manufactures in the region up 6%.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with graphic"]
In the first half of 2018, trade in paints and lacquers between countries in the region totaled $59 million, and 76% was sold by companies in Costa Rica and El Salvador.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with graphic"]
During the first nine months of 2018, companies in the region's countries imported from Mexico fertilizers for $70 million, 629% more than what was purchased in the same period of 2017.
Figures from the information system of the Central American Fertilizer Market, from the Trade Intelligence Area of CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with graphic"]
Last year, mineral fuels, plastic articles and food led the commercial exchange between Peruvian and Central American companies.
Figures from the Central American-Peru Trade Information System complied by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAPHIC caption = "Click to interact with the graph"]
Plastic articles, pharmaceutical products and food preparations last year led the commercial exchange between companies from the Caribbean nation and Central American countries.
Figures from the information system of Commerce between Central America and the Dominican Republic, compiled by the Trade Intelligence Area of CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with graphic"]
Producing articles with avocado and corn seed resin, and products with additives that allow the decomposition of plastic in less time, are some of the strategies proposed by the sector to overcome the obstacles faced in the region.
As in the rest of the world, there have been several attempts in Central America to ban the use of some plastic products.