Because in this context of new commercial reality the sales of alcohol, fertilizers, soaps, detergents and chemical and pharmaceutical products have increased, the productive activity of the Central American industrial sector has been dynamized.
According to figures from the Bank of Guatemala, during the III Quarter of 2020 the Guatemalan Gross Domestic Product reported -2% year-on-year variation, a behavior that contrasts with the evolution of the manufacturing industry, which for the period in question registered a 3% increase in its production.
In Guatemala, the supply of pesticides for the control of larvae and for use in stagnant water in hatcheries has been put out to tender.
Guatemala Government Purchase 11657243:
"-333,751 kilograms of pesticide for the control of larvae in water nurseries inside and outside of the home, granulated temephos at 1%. Must meet WHO specifications, packed in craft paper bag, capacity of 20 kilos per bag, quoted per kilogram.
In the first six months of 2019, fertilizer imports from countries in the region totaled $439 million, and purchases from Russian companies grew 29% over the same period in 2018.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with the graphic"]
During the first three months of 2019, companies in Central American countries imported insecticides, herbicides and fungicides for $132 million, and purchases from Mexican companies grew 12% over the same period in 2018.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAPHIC caption="Click to interact with graphic"]
During 2018, companies in Central American countries imported insecticides, herbicides and fungicides for $671 million, 3% less than they bought in 2017.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with graphic"]
Explore data in the interactive display.
Companies in the region can submit their applications for new labels according to the new Central American Regulation on Pesticide Labeling until December 20, 2020.
The regulation amendment came into force at the end of 2018, and stipulates that after the authorities approve the changes to product labeling, companies will have one more year to exhaust the existence of previous labels in the market.
From January to June of this year, countries in the region imported insecticides, herbicides and fungicides for $343 million, 2% more than in the same period in 2017.
Figures from the information system of the Central American Insecticide, Herbicide and Fungicide Market, from the Trade Intelligence Area of CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with graphic"]
The agricultural chemical union of Guatemala states that the illicit commercialization of fertilizers, insecticides and fungicides, represents about 12% of the local market.
According to reports from the Association of the Agricultural Chemical Guild (Agrequima), between August 2016 and the same month in 2018, a investigation of agrochemical packaging was carried out in the union's collection centers, in which several products were identified which did not possess the minimum quality requirements.
In 2017, the total import value of insecticides, herbicides and fungicides in Central American countries totaled $689 million, registering a 3% increase with respect to 2016.
Figures from the information system on the Market for Insecticides, Herbicides and Fungicides in Central America, compiled by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption = "Click to interact with graph"]
Between 2015 and 2016, the total value of imported insecticides, herbicides and fungicides in Central American countries increased by 6%, going from $632 million to $668 million.
Figures from the information system on thethe Market for Insecticides, Herbicides and Fungicides in Central America, compiled by the Business Intelligence Unit atCentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Clic para interactuar con la gráfica"]
Three neonicotinoid pesticides used in growing plants and cereals have been banned because they are considered harmful to bees.
Prensa.com reports that "the products in question are clothianidin and imidacloprid, produced by Bayer, and thiamethoxam, manufactured by the Swiss firm Syngenta, who has appealed against the ban before the European Court."
In the European Union the maximum level of perchlorate in fruits and vegetables is 0.5 mg / kg, and 0.2 mg / kg in citrus fruits, tubers, grapes, spinach, melons and watermelons.
From an article by the Costa Rican Foreign Trade Promotion Office (PROCOMER):
The Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health of the European Union has agreed to set maximum permitted levels of perchlorate in food and has asked all member states of the European Union and traders to monitor compliance with these standards, especially in the case of fruits and vegetables from greenhouses.
The European Commission has decided to restrict the use of three pesticides used in the growing of plants and cereals, after having verified that they are harmful to bees.
From an article by the Costa Rican Foreign Trade Promotion Office (PROCOMER):
The European Commission (EC) decided to restrict the use of three neonicotinoid pesticides used in the growing of plants and cereals, after finding that these are harmful to bees.
The United States has zero tolerance for the presence of chemicals like carbendazim, detected in two shipments of orange juice exported from Costa Rica.
The fungicide is used to fight orange fungus. News of the rejection of these two shipments was published on the U.S. government’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) website on April 5 and on a bulletin at the Nasdaq stock market.
Growth in demand for chemicals and good prices have led to an increase in the sector's exports, which reached $468 million in the first 9 months of 2011.
Growth of Guatemalan exports to other countries of the isthmus has been widespread, amounting to $2,091,000 at the end of the third quarter of 2011, which is 18.3% more than in the same period in 2010.