From January to September 2020, companies in the region bought corn abroad for $753 million, 10% more than what was reported in the same period of 2019, a variation that is explained by the rise in imports from Nicaragua, Guatemala, Honduras and Panama.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with the graph"]
Because of the drought that is affecting several areas in Central America, in El Salvador, agricultural producers estimate that at least 6.3 million hundredweight of corn, valued at $39 million, have been lost.
Representatives from the Salvadoran Chamber of Small and Medium Agricultural Producers (Campo) said that due to the drought, which lasted up to 40 days in some areas of the country, they have lost more than 6 million hundredweight of corn, valued at $38.6 million.
From January to September 2017 the region imported $543 million worth of corn, and 54% was purchased by companies in Guatemala and Costa Rica.
Figures from the information system on the the Corn Market in Central America, compiled by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption = "Click to interact with the graph"]
Soybeans, corn and cotton are the main GM crops in Brazil, a country that accepts and promotes genetically modified foods.
In Brazil the number of hectares planted with genetically modified soybeans, corn and cotton amounts to 36.6 million, varieties of crops which according to producers reduce costs, increase production and generate higher profits.
The abstention of countries such as Germany and Belgium in voting against the cultivation of genetically modified corn marks a before and after period for the use of genetically modified foods.
The EU is going to authorize the cultivation of genetically modified (GM) maize TC1507 belonging to the U.S. group Pioneer, said the European Commission.
In Nicaragua, expectations are that the harvest of white corn in the 2013-2014 cycle will reach 12 million quintals, which will be enough to supply national consumption.
However in order for that to happen, small and medium farmers must achieve a higher return on their crops and increase production.
Laprensa.com.ni reports: "Through the Corn for All program, which is being run in Nicaragua, El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala, the idea is to increase productivity of staple grain crops in the varieties that are planted in each country ". This program is being developed in partnership with Disagro and Helps International.
Record output is expected for basic grains, as well as an increase in cattle products.
Ariel Bucardo Rocha is the Agricultural Ministry of Nicaragua, and he expects corn production to reach 6.900.000 quintals for the premium seeding period.
"Regarding premium bean production, the Ministry is expecting 1.3 million quintals, from 100.000 blocks. For rice, the institution is expecting 1.150.000 quintals, and sees possible, along the harvest, to increase output in over 500.000 additional quintals", reported newspaper "El Nuevo Diario".