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"]
After in August 2020, in the context of the pandemic caused by covid-19, regional imports of bottled water dropped to a historic low of $700 thousand, in the following months a recovery was evidenced and in December the figure rose to $2 million.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with the graphic"].
From January to September 2020, companies in the region bought fruit and vegetable juices abroad for $79 million, 17% less than in the same period of 2019, a drop that is explained by the decrease in imports from all Central American countries.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with the graph"]
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, 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"]
As a result of the tax reform implemented in February 2019, at the beginning of 2020 the prices of beverages increased, mainly soft drinks sold in plastic containers.
In February of last year, the Ortega regime approved the reform of the Tax Agreement Law, which consisted of increasing income tax from 1% to 2% for medium sized companies with higher incomes, and from 1% to 3% for large taxpayers.
As a result of the tax reform implemented in February 2019, Nicaragua tripled the tax burden on imports of all types of beverages, and nine months later, businessmen are still waiting for the government to review the collections.
On February 27, 2019, the amendment to the Tax Concertation Law was approved, which consisted of raising from 1% to 2% the income tax for medium sized companies with higher income, and for large taxpayers from 1% to 3%, the livestock sector has reported considerable increases in its production costs.
A law was published in the Official Journal of Panama that establishes a 7% tax on carbonated beverages, 5% for other sugary beverages and 10% for syrups, syrups and concentrates for the production of sugary beverages.
On November 18, Law 114 was published in the Official Journal, entitled " What creates the Action Plan to Improve Health and dictates other provisions to establish the selective tax on the consumption of sugary beverages and the criteria for its use."
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, Central American companies imported fruit and vegetable juices for $133 million, and 63% of the total was bought by companies in Panama, Honduras and El Salvador.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with graphic"]
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.
Improving sanitary controls, reducing smuggling and accrediting laboratories for food analysis are some of the proposals made by Guatemalan businessmen to the future new government.
Two months before the General Elections, the Guatemalan Chamber of Food and Beverages (CGAB) presented its proposals to several presidential candidates, with the objective of working in different areas so that the growth of the sector goes from the current 5% to 9% in the coming years.
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.
Panama's business sector asked President Varela to partially veto Law 570, which establishes an 8% tax on imported and domestically produced sugared beverages.
The rejection of the business sector comes days after the National Assembly approved, in third debate, the bill 570, which establishes an 8% tax for sugared beverages of national production and imported and 10% for syrups and concentrates.
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...