Although businessmen in the sector claim to have enough supplies to meet demand in the agricultural cycle, the crisis in Nicaragua is causing problems in the transportation of goods.
Distributors of agrochemicals report that due to the political crisis and the multiple closures and demonstrations on roads in the country, the main challenge they face is the transporting products to different areas of the country.
In 2017, purchases from Central American countries totaled $759 million, 25% more than the previous year's imports, in contrast to the fall reported between 2015 and 2016.
Figures from the information system on the Central American Fertilizer Market, compiled by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption = "Click to interact with the graph"]
In 2017, countries in Central America imported $18 million worth of fertilizers from Mexico, a figure which is 61% more than what was purchased in 2016.
Figures from the information system on the the Fertilizer Market in Central America, compiled by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption = "Click to interact with graph"]
On May 17 and 18, agroindustrial companies in the region will be meeting in San Pedro Sula, where products will be exhibited and business appointments held.
In the IV edition of the Agromercados 2018 fair, which will take place at the San Pedro Sula Expo Center, the participation of at least 800 companies is expected.
From January to November 2017, Central American countries imported 19,000 tons of food supplies from Mexico, 10% more than the amount purchased in the same period in 2016.
Figures from the information system on the the Food Preparation Ingredients Market in Central America, compiled by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption = "Click to interact with graph"]
Central American countries face the challenge of improving their production techniques in order to increase quality and take advantage of the opportunity that exists in the European market.
Elnuevodiario.com.ni reports that"...According to the most recent European statistics of 2015, the consumption of organic products in the European Union (EU) was 28.3 billion euros in that year. 70% of this expenditure came from four countries: Germany, France, Italy and the United Kingdom. However, those adding the most of these types of products into their shopping baskets are the Danish (8.4% of their purchases), Austrians (8%) and Swedes (7.7%), according to data from the same year.
In 2016 countries in the region imported $36 million worth of sauces and ingredients for their preparations from Mexico, registering an increase of 8% compared to 2015.
Figures from the information system on the Central American Market for Sauces and ingredients for their preparation, compiled by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption = "Click to interact with the graph"]
After two decades of research, a report by 20 top US scientists has concluded that GM crops are safe for health and the environment.
The largest piece of research on the impact of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) which has been made by the National Academy of Sciences of the United States demolishes myths promoted by environmental organizations by concluding that these crops are no different from others and that there is not a one test that has shown a negative impact on the health of people.
In Nicaragua for every cultivated hectare, 39 kilos of fertilizer are used, in Panama the figure is 50 kilos, in Honduras, 58, in Guatemala, 97, in El Salvador, 135, and in Costa Rica, 264 kilos.
The study "State of the Global Food and Agriculture", by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), details not only the use of fertilizer per hectare in Central America, but also the proportion of the value added in agriculture in each country.
In the US an increasing number of farmers are replanting with non-GM seeds, while grains prices fall and there is a growing preference for organic products.
At the end of 2014 consumption of non-GM foods such as cereals, salad dressings, eggs and other products increased by 15%, with sales reaching $9.6 billion. By analyzing consumer trends, the US agricultural sector expects this year increases of up to 45% in sales of non-genetically modified maize seeds and 8% in un genetically modified soy.
Producers are complaining about a lack of agility and excessive paperwork in the process to request tax exemptions for the purchase of equipment and farm machinery.
Agricultural producers argue that they can not easily access the exemptions for the purchase of equipment which is established in the recently passed Tax Act. Although it has been stated that within three months the necessary reforms will be made for the exemptions to given on products and not producers, the current requirements are delaying procedures and access to the incentive on the part of the producers.
AGRITRADE Expo & Conference will take place on March 12th-13th in Guatemala City, and will be attended by 100 international buyers.
From a statement by the Guatemalan Exporters Association:
In order to bring together in one place offerings of Central American agricultural exports, the AGRITRADE Expo & Conference from AGEXPORT, sold at its breakfast launch 50% of the show's floor, an event which will be held in 2015, in Santo Domingo Hill, Antigua Guatemala and will bring to the country more than 100 international buyers interested in coffee, cardamom, macadamia, broccoli, organic products, pepper, from Guatemala and Central America.
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.
World production of the tuber has increased by 60 percent since the year 2000.
An agricultural model which respects the environment called "Save and Grow" which is being promoted by the FAO could sustainably increase cassava yields by 400 percent and achieve its transformation from a food for poor people to a XXI century product, said the UN organization today.
Price increases of between 10 and 15% are estimated in a market distorted by unexpected arrivals of shipments from Venezuela.
In 2012, prices could be between 10% and 15% higher. This year was no exception to the fluctuations, with the prices at the beginning of the year being up, then down, and at the moment prices are again rising, said Orontes Lacayo, president of the Nicaraguan Association of Formulators and Agrochemical Distributors (ANIFODA).