According to the digital behavior of consumers, it is estimated that in the countries of the region more than 8 million people show interest in beer, and most of them are between 19 and 35 years old.
A study of the interests and preferences of consumers in Central America, prepared by the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData, gives interesting results on the preferences and tastes of people in various products, services and activities.
Interest in food and beverage products has clearly increased in recent weeks in the region's markets, with the trend being more evident in products such as baked goods, soups, liquors, fruits and vegetables, candies and fast food.
Through a system that monitors in real time changes in consumer interests and preferences in Central American countries, developed by the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData, it is possible to project short and long-term demand trends for the different sectors and markets operating in the region.
Given the crisis in the region, businessmen in Guatemala report that smuggling of Mexican products has increased, while in Panama, beer producers attribute the rise in illegal trade in alcoholic beverages to the dry law.
With the spread of Covid-19, governments in Central America have decreed mandatory quarantines and have also restricted the movement of consumers at certain hours.
As Central American economies ease the restrictions that have been placed on the spread of covid-19, sales of bottled water are forecast to decline by at least 2%.
Using a demand/income sensitivity model developed by the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData, variations in household demand for different goods and services can be projected as the most critical phases in the spread of covid-19 are overcome and mobility restrictions are lifted in the countries of the region.
The TGI Friday's chain decided to close its store located in the Oxygen Human Playground shopping center, in the province of Heredia, for a 90-day period.
"As you know, the food and beverage sector has been highly impacted, which is why we have taken the measure to suspend operations at our Friday's Oxygen store," explained a statement issued on March 21 by the company.
This sector would be one of the least affected by the covid-19 crisis in Central America, which would be partly explained by the performance of bottled water sales and dairy marketing.
The "Information System for the Impact Analysis of covid-19 on Business", prepared by the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData, measures the degree of impact that the crisis will have on companies according to their sector or economic activity, during the coming months.
From January to September 2019, foreign purchases of beer in Central America amounted to $170 million, 32% more than reported in the same period in 2018, with Guatemala and El Salvador being the markets that registered the most significant increases in their imports.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with graphics"]
In Costa Rica, 5% of the population shows interest in energy drinks, and about 57% of them are between 21 and 30 years old, and have one of the highest purchasing power levels.
An analysis of consumer interests and preferences in Costa Rica, prepared by the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData, provides interesting results on the characteristics and people who show interest in any type of beverage.
From January to September 2019, bottled water imports in Central America totaled $18 million, and purchases from companies in the United States increased 14% over the same period in 2018.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with graphics"]
From January to September 2019, companies in the region bought fruit and vegetable juices abroad for $95 million, 5% less than in the same period in 2018, mainly due to the drop-in imports from Honduras and El Salvador.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption "Click to interact with graphics"]
From January to June 2019, Central American companies imported $205 million in alcoholic beverages, 16% more than the same period in 2018, explained again by the behavior of purchases from the U.S. and Mexico.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with graphics"]
In Costa Rica, the Coca-Cola company announced that it had completed the construction of its new raw material production plant in Liberia, and it has now begun operating in its first phase.
In the first six months of 2019, Central American countries imported $38 million in wine, and purchases from Chilean companies increased by 11% over the same period in 2018.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with graphics"]
In the first six months of 2019, beer imports into Central America totaled $108 million, and purchases from the U.S. increased 31% over the same period in 2018.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with graphics"]
Beverage Industry Digital Magazine established in 1942, the oldest Spanish trade journal and the only beverage trade magazine serving the Latin American beverage market. It serves soft drink bottlers, brewers, bottled water...