The growing uncertainty about the safety of seafood products exported from China, one of the world's leading producers, could represent an opportunity for Central American countries to gain some insight into the global market.
In this context of new commercial reality, the retail channel will continue to be the main demander in the short term for products that are easy to prepare such as tilapia, salmon, trout, shrimp and others with which consumers feel more comfortable cooking at home.
In Guatemala, the business sector has already begun to analyze the market opportunities that will arise after the Salvadoran government decided to cancel the FTA with Taiwan.
The decision taken by the Sánchez Cerén administration in December last year will be implemented as of March 15, when the Free Trade Agreement between Taiwan and El Salvador will expire.
The union is made up of 50 Salvadoran companies, and aims to promote opportunities for commercial exchange with companies in the European country.
Last week the Bilateral Chamber of Commerce of the Netherlands in Central America (NETHCHAM) was inaugurated, which will mainly seek to increase exports from El Salvador to the Netherlands.
Almost 70% of the products imported by Eastern European countries from Latin America correspond to agricultural products and foodstuffs, notably bananas and solid soy extracts.
A study by Procomer of Costa Rica on the trade potential of Russia, Poland, the Czech Republic, Lithuania, Slovenia and Estonia identifies the main consumption trends in these countries, their imports and economic conditions, as well as the opportunities that may exist for different productive sectors in Costa Rica.
Tropical fruits and coffee are two of the products with opportunities in a market with great potential for growth, but challenging at the same time for Central American entrepreneurs.
Former Costa Rican ambassador to China, Marco Vinicio Ruiz, shared his experience with a group of Panamanian entrepreneurs in a forum organized by the National Council of Private Enterprise.
The European country is a mature market in the production, marketing and consumption of coffee, and despite its developed roasting industry, it is a major importer of roasted coffee.
From the market study "Roasted coffee in Germany" by Procomer:
The traditional commercial dynamic of coffee in Europe is to import fresh produce from Latin America and roast it in the markets with a developed roasting industry such as Holland, Italy, and Germany, among others.For this reason Latin American roasted coffee has a minimal share, representing in Germany for example, 0.1% of their imports.
The Asian country increased duty free sugar import quotas from 60 thousand to 80 thousand metric tons, and granted an additional quota to import a thousand kilos of dry fruit.
From a statement issued by the Embassy of Taiwan in El Salvador:
The Second Administrative Meeting of the Free Trade Agreement between Taiwan and El Salvador was held in Taipei, Taiwan, under the efforts of both countries, closing the round of meetings with much success and achievement for both countries who took a step forward in strengthening bilateral trade.
Flowers, white goods, ceramics, leather products and cocoa products are among the list of 207 Ecuadorian products that will enter El Salvador with tariff preferences.
The agreement creates tariff preferences for 207 subheadings, which represent 92% of exports to El Salvador. They will enter without paying any fees.This translates into thegrowth of 20% of Ecuador's exports.
Mangosteen, pitahaya, guanabana, passion fruit, uchuva, ipecacuana, pejibaye and carambola are some of the agricultural products with potential to export to markets such as Europe and America.
From a report by Procomer of Costa Rica entitled "Opportunities for commercialization of incipient agricultural products":
PROCOMER has carried out an analysis of agricultural products that have possibilities for production and expansion at the national and international level, but whose exports are few or none at all.Through the support of PROCOMER's Trade Promotion Offices, state agencies and research centers, 8 products with the highest potential for international marketing were selected: Mangosteen, pitahaya, guanabana, passion fruit, uchuva, ipecac, pejibaye and carambola.
A virtual seminar has been organized for April 5, on recommendations to negotiate with Indian companies and best practices for exporting to that market.
From a statement issued by PROCOMER:
ConnectAmericas, anonlineplatformcreated by the Inter - American Development Bank (IDB) with support from Google, DHL, Visa and Alibaba will be holding afreewebinaron essential tips for doing business in India, on April 6 at 10:00 am, in which best practices for entering the Indian market will be explored and useful guidelines will be provided for the export process.
Characteristics of consumers on the west coast of Canada and the marketing channels in the area are factors representing opportunities for exporting healthy products.
From a report entitled "Differentiated Food on the west coast of Canada" by PROCOMER Costa Rica:
The west coast of Canada offers opportunities for marketing products with distinct elements that provide health benefits related to things such as sporting lifestyles, helping with weight loss, natural products, products free of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) or that facilitate special diets such as gluten-free products.
Invitations have been extended to the Taipei Food Fair 2017 which will be held from June 21 to 24 at the Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center in Taiwan.
The Embassy of the China-Taiwan Republic and the Nicaraguan Taiwanese Business Chamber (Cetainic) is inviting producers and exporters to take part in the Taipei Fair Food 2017, to be held from June 21 to 24 in the city of Taipei.
The union of exporters in El Salvador has identified and described the most appropriate distribution channels and opportunities for products such as fruits and processed vegetables, pickles, beverages and snacks.
In the first half of the year imports of fresh fruit and vegetables grew by 20% in volume and 27% in value compared to the same period in 2015.
From a statement issued by AgroMeat:
In the period from January to July 2016, Spanish imports of fresh fruit and vegetables totaled 1.7 million tons and reported revenues of 1,389 million euros, representing an increase of 20% in volume and 27% in value, reported the Spanish Federation of Producers and Exporters of Fruits, Vegetables, Flowers [...]
It is estimated that in 2017 imports of meat and meat products from China will continue at high rates, due to lower levels of local production.
From a publication by Eurocarne:
The Department of Agriculture has drawn up one of its reports on forecasts for production and trade of meat and meat products in Japan.As indicated, in Japan there is still a reduction in the livestock censuses in the absence of generational change.Consumption also remains very stable.In light of this situation, the USDA estimates that in 2017 the situation seen in 2016 will will be repeated, that is to say there will be very high levels of imports.