Once Panama blocked the entry of animal products from Costa Rica, discussions at the technical level progressed, but when the issue was brought to the political arena, the process to solve the trade conflict stalled.
In early July of this year, Panama informed the National Animal Health Service (SENASA), an agency of the Costa Rican Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAG), about the decision not to extend the authorization for export to a list of Costa Rican establishments previously authorized and that have been commercializing in the Panamanian market for many years.
As of October this year, the U.S. country will begin one of the phases of implementation of the new front labeling on food and non-alcoholic beverages, under the Labeling Law NOM-051 of the Ministry of Health.
One of the arguments that support the amendments to the Standard is the situation of health and welfare of citizens in the country. According to data from the National Health and Nutrition Survey (ENSANUT) 2018 (to date, the latest report released), 35.6% of children between 5 and 11 years old are overweight and obese. Meanwhile, children and young people between 12 and 19 years old report 38.4%, according to the Guatemalan Association of Exporters (Agexport).
In order to successfully market fresh food, in addition to an attractive presentation to the market, good logistical performance is essential, which is expressed in terms of freshness, availability, and reasonably low logistical costs.
The fresh food sector is booming within the general food trade. For the success of its commercialization, besides an attractive presentation for the market and being able to offer a wide variety of products, also a good logistic performance is very important, which is expressed in terms of freshness, availability, and reasonably low logistic costs.
From 20 to 23 May, an online business meeting will be held with South Korea for companies in the food and beverage sectors.
The Secretariat for Central American Economic Integration (SIECA) coordinates the "Virtual Business Roundtable with South Korea," which is aimed at companies in the food and beverage sector, and will be conducted through the Central American Trade Network.
Alimentos y Bebidas Atlántida in Guatemala, Mayca in Costa Rica and Nestlé Panama, are part of the companies reporting the highest numbers of purchases of food preparations in Central America.
An analysis of CentralAmericaData's Trade Intelligence unit provides details on the companies according to sector, main activity, volume and value of their imports, exports and other relevant data.
Petroleum products, iron and steel, food and pharmaceutical products, headed last year's purchases from companies in the South American nation from Central American countries.
Figures from the Central American-Ecuador Trade Information System complied by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAPHIC caption = "Click to interact with the graph"]
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"]
During the first six months of the year, countries in the region imported animal feed preparations for $254 million, 20% more than in the same period in 2017.
Figures from the information system on the Animal Feed Preparations Market in Central America, compiled by the Trade Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with graphic"]
From July 30 to August 1, a business meeting will take place between business leaders in the region and Chilean companies from the forestry, agriculture, manufacturing and seafood sectors.
From a press release by ProChile:
The event will be held in Guatemala City, between July 30 and August 1, and will bring together about 120 buyers from all over the region.In total, there will be 60 places for Chilean entrepreneurs in the forestry and agricultural sector, industry-manufactures and seafood.
In Guatemala, a workshop to train professionals from the Central American region on the use of the Regional Integration System for Health Registries is being organized for June 18.
From a statement issued by the Sieca:
The Center for Studies for Economic Integration (CEIE) at the Central American Economic Integration Secretariat (SIECA) is organizing a workshop to train professionals from the Central American region on the use of the Regional Integration System for Health Registries (SIRRS).The objective is to promote the use of the IT platform and train personnel in the private sector in its use and exploitation.
The market for fresh fruits and vegetables in this European country amounts to $25 billion, mostly in fruits, while processed vegetables amount to just over $4 billion.
From a report by Procomer Costa Rica entitled "Opportunities for marketing fresh and processed fruits and vegetables in Italy":
The fresh fruit and vegetable market in Italy is USD 25,071 mn, mostly fruit (68%), and the processed market is USD 4,272 mn in 2017.Both have opportunities to supply the food industry and, specifically the fresh ones, to enter the retail trade in the Italian off-season and with exotic products.
On April 27 a business meeting will take place in San Jose between Costa Rican businessmen and representatives of the industry of cookies, food doughs, breads and cakes from Brazil.
The business conference will take place on Friday, April 27, from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm at the Crowne Corobicí Hotel and is being organized by Crecex in conjunction with the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (APEX-Brazil) and the Brazilian Association of the Industries of Biscuits, Food Flours and Breads and Cakes (Abimapi).
World food prices fell slightly in November, as the decline in prices of dairy products offset a sharp increase in the prices of sugar and vegetable oils.
From a statement by the World Food Organization (FAO):
7 December 2017, Rome - Global food prices declined marginally in November, as lower dairy prices offset a sharp increase in sugar and vegetable oil quotations, according to the latest FAO Food Price Index issued today.
As of December 1, import tariffs for consumer goods such as food, health supplements, shoes and clothing, among other things, will fall from 17% to an average of 7%.
The measure will take effect on December 1 and will affect 187 types of products, which include clothing, shoes, appliances, medicines or entertainment items, the ministry said in a statement on its website.