In 2014 average household spending on soft drinks, beers and soft drinks increased by 17%, while that of dairy products grew by 8%.
From a statement issued by the Foreign Trade Promotion Office of Costa Rica:
The purchasing power of the population of Panama has been strengthened in recent years, thanks to the rapid economic growth of this country, which according to World Bank figures, has an annual per capita income of over $10,000.
Eight in ten Peruvians buy own brand label products, with bread, rice and oil having the most presence in supermarkets
From a statement issued by the Costa Rican Foreign Trade Promotion Office:
Peruvians prefer to shop in supermarkets, because of the variety of products on offer , as well as for reasons of safety and comfort. In 2014, supermarket sales showed a growth of 9.5% compared with the previous year, which represents 44% of total retail sales.
The South Korean government has proposed to Central American countries that they resume negotiations to sign a free trade agreement.
During a meeting between officials of the Ministry of Foreign Trade of Costa Rica and the deputy minister, Moon Jaedo, of the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Energy (Motie) of South Korea, it was requested "... that the Central American countries evaluate opening up a process of negotiation for a free trade agreement. "
Malaysian producers plan to start exporting fresh pineapple to China later this year as part of an agreement signed between the two countries in 2013.
From a statement issued by the Costa Rican Foreign Trade Promotion Office (Procomer):
Malaysia plans to start exporting fresh pineapples to China later this year. The first shipment of fruit was scheduled for last year but could not be performed because the Chinese authorities did not give their approval, according to a recent statement by the Malaysian Minister for Agribusiness Ismail Sabri Yaakob .
With a bill to incentivize development of the sector and other measures to provide facilities to farmers, the government aims to boost the growth of aquaculture in the country.
From a statement issued by the Costa Rican Foreign Trade Promotion Office (Procomer):
The Ministry of Production of Peru announced a series of measures aimed at laying the foundations for sustainable development and launching aquaculture within the framework of the implementation of the National Plan for Productive Diversification.
Approval has been given to the creation of a global system of digital certification to control pests and plant diseases which can spread during international trade.
From a statement issued by the Costa Rican Foreign Trade Promotion Office (Procomer):
The Commission on Phytosanitary Measures (CPM), the governing body of the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC), consisting of 181 countries, has approved the creation of a new global electronic certification system called E-Phyto, which will help stop the spread of pests and diseases via agricultural products transported in international trade, in a way that is safer and cheaper.
Individual packages and innovation in packaging are part of the strategies used by the food industry in Latin America to improve the positioning of healthy packaged products.
From a statement issued by the Costa Rican Foreign Trade Promotion Office (Procomer):
The Latin American region has shown a preference for choosing healthier options of packaged foods.
From April 1st 2015 the only documents needed to send products to the Indian market will be the air declaration, the commercial invoice and bill of entry.
From a statement issued by the Costa Rican Foreign Trade Promotion Office (Procomer):
India has decided to simplify procedures for imports, which will reduce costs and time and aims to improve the country's position in the ease of doing business list produced by the World Bank.
In order to prevent entry of the medfly pest into the United States, products such as avocado, lemon, orange, papaya and mango may not be imported from Dominican Republic.
From a statement issued by the Costa Rican Foreign Trade Promotion Office (Procomer):
The United States has restricted the entry of Dominican fruits and vegetables in order to avoid the Mediterranean fruit fly (Ceratitis capitata) coming into the country , according to a statement from the Plant and Animal Health Inspection Service at he Department of Agriculture (APHIS).
All of the production from 2015 produced by the union of organic banana growers will be exported to the United States.
From a statement issued by the Costa Rican Foreign Trade Promotion Office (Procomer):
The Piurana Central Association of Small Producers of Organic Banana of Peru (CEPIBO) has decided to send its entire production from 2015 to US suppliers, because they offer a better price for the fruit.
Support is being given to sustainable agriculture programs to meet growing consumer concern about the origin of the raw materials of the products they consume.
From a statement issued by the Cosa Rican Foreign Trade Promotion Office (PROCOMER):
Cargill and Mondelēz International are promoting two programs to have a cocoa supply chain which is 100% sustainable by 2020.
Fruits and vegetables, followed by baby food, milk and soy milk are the organic products in demand.
From a statement issued by the Foreign Trade Promotion Office of Costa Rica (PROCOMER):
Given the continuing concern about food safety, consumers in Hong Kong are seeking safer and high quality options such as those that can be found in the organic sector, since they are perceived as being more natural and nutritious compared to conventional foods.
In the last quarter of 2014 reports of food recalls and notifications of regulatory compliance increased by 16% particularly in fruits, vegetables and fish derivatives.
From a statement issued by the Costa Rican Foreign Trade Promotion Office (PROCOMER):
Food recalls and notifications from the European authorities increased by 16% in the last quarter of 2014 compared to the previous period.
Since 2011 the import of fruit pulp in the Andean country has seen average annual growth rates of 30%.
From a statement issued by the Costa Rican Foreign Trade Promotion Office (PROCOMER):
Imports of fruit pulps in Peru grew by 79% in 2014 compared to 2013, which adds to sustained growth seen since 2011 (on average 31% annually). Imports are mainly from the USA, Brazil and Argentina.