During 2020, imports of fruit and vegetable juices by companies in the region totaled $79 million, and purchases from Brazilian companies increased 45% over what was reported in 2019.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with the graph"]
Under the brand name of Topo Chico, Coca-Cola began to commercialize in the Costa Rican market a carbonated drink with alcohol, which belongs to the category known as "hard seltzer" or "spiked seltzer."
For now, the drink will be imported from Mexico, but Coca-Cola does not rule out producing it locally in the future.
In Costa Rica, Topo Chico Hard Seltzer will compete directly with "Adam & Eve", a product of the same category that is marketed since 2019 by Florida Ice, Farm & Co (Fifco).
Although public places have been closed for most of the year, in Central America for the quarantine period the demand for soft drinks, beer and snacks did not contract, as families increased consumption from their homes.
Soda, beer and snacks were no longer consumed in restaurants, movie theaters, stadiums and other similar spaces, but, due to the confinement measures decreed because of the covid-19 outbreak, demand shifted from public places to homes.
It is estimated that in Central America close to 17 million people show interest in the digital environment for carbonated beverages, with Dr Pepper, Coca-Cola, Fanta and Mineral Water being some of the terms most associated with consumers with high purchasing power.
An analysis of the interests and preferences of consumers in Central America, prepared by the Commercial Intelligence Area of CentralAmericaData, shows interesting results on the preferences and tastes of people in diverse foods, products, services, beverage brands and activities.
More than half of U.S. millennial consumers of Latino origin are attracted to Hispanic beverages, bread, tortillas, and ethnic prepared foods sold in supermarket chains.
Specialists in the field point out that nowadays Latino millennials are attracted to those supermarket chains that reflect their culture and that of their families.
As of October this year, the U.S. country will begin one of the phases of implementation of the new front labeling on food and non-alcoholic beverages, under the Labeling Law NOM-051 of the Ministry of Health.
One of the arguments that support the amendments to the Standard is the situation of health and welfare of citizens in the country. According to data from the National Health and Nutrition Survey (ENSANUT) 2018 (to date, the latest report released), 35.6% of children between 5 and 11 years old are overweight and obese. Meanwhile, children and young people between 12 and 19 years old report 38.4%, according to the Guatemalan Association of Exporters (Agexport).
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.
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.
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 three months of 2019, countries in the region imported non-alcoholic beverages for $109 million, and purchases from the U.S. grew 10% over the same period in 2018.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAPHIC caption="Click to interact with graphic"]
Last year, bottled water sales in Costa Rica were estimated at $89 million and they are expected to increase up to $106 million in 2023, a behavior explained by the downward trend in the consumption of carbonated beverages.
Although companies such as Florida Ice & Farm Co (Fifco) and Coca Cola Femsa have the opportunity to grow in the Costa Rican market, they will also face competition from new entrants such as Premium Brands.
In the first nine months of 2018, countries in the region imported non-alcoholic beverages for $327 million, 3% less than the same period in 2017.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with graphics]
Explore data in the interactive display.
Regional Imports Decline
Between January and September 2017 and the same period in 2018, the value imported into the region fell 3%, from $337 million to $327 million.
Embotelladora La Mariposa in Guatemala, Distribuidora La Florida in Costa Rica and Femsa in Panama are three of the companies in Central America that report the highest figures for purchases of all types of beverages.
An analysis of CentralAmericaData's Trade Intelligence unit provides details on the companies according to sector, main activity, volume and value of their imports, exports and other relevant data.
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...