During 2020, Guatemala continued to be the main buyer of soaps and cleaning preparations in the Central American region with $59.4 million, the supplier market was Honduras with $83.2 million, which is equivalent to 65.52%.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with the graphic"]
During 2020, total sales of cleaning chemical products in the Salvadoran market reached $143 million, 13% more than what was reported in 2019, with Guatemala, Honduras, Costa Rica and Mexico being the main suppliers of local companies.
institutional channel, which have shown an average annual growth of 5% in the last five years, according to a study by the Foreign Trade Promoter of Costa Rica (Procomer).
From January to June 2020, Central American countries imported soaps and cleaning preparations for $88 million, 23% more than what was reported in the same period of 2019, a rise that was reported in the context of the beginning of the pandemic that caused the covid-19 outbreak.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Area of CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with the graph"]
The authorities plan to regulate the prices of disinfectant soaps in tablet or liquid form, disinfectant sprays, liquid alcohol, alcohol gels and disinfectant towels.
According to official statistics, up to March 16, 41 cases of people infected with the coronavirus had been reported, and another 615 patients who were examined were found to be negative.
From January to June 2019, the countries of the region imported $72 million worth of soaps and cleaning products, and purchases from companies in Guatemala and El Salvador represent 63% of the total at the Central American level.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with graphics"]
The company announced that it will close its bar soap production plant of the brands Xtra, Unox, Rinso and Surf that was located in Comayagua, Honduras, and will move operations to the neighboring country.
Unilever Central America announced in a statement that bar soaps will now be manufactured and marketed in Central America by the Guatemalan company Industria La Popular.
From January to March 2019, countries in the region imported soaps and cleaning preparations for $37 million, and purchases from U.S. companies grew 6% over the same period in 2018.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with the graphic"]
From January to September 2018, countries in the region imported $107 million worth of soap and cleaning preparations, and purchases from U.S. companies grew 5% over the same period in 2017.
Data from the Trade Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with graphics]
From January to June of last year, countries in the region imported soaps and cleaning preparations for $71 million, and 60% were purchased by companies in El Salvador and Guatemala.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with graphic"]
Last year countries in Central America imported $145 million worth of soap and cleaning preparations, registering an increase of 8% compared to figures in 2016.
Figures from the information system on the Market for Soaps and Cleaning Preparations in Central America, compiled by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption = "Click to interact with graph"]
Between January and September 2016 the Central American countries as a whole imported $105 million worth of soaps and cleaning preparations.
Data from the report entitled "Importsof soaps and cleaning preparations in Central America,presented by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [Figure caption = "Click to interact with graphics"]
The Ministry of Health has banned the use and sale of detergents, disinfectants, soaps and other cleaning products, in the food industry, which contain nonylphenol.
From a decision by the Ministry of Health of Panama, published in the official newspaper, La Gaceta:
'... FIRST: Prohibit the use and sale of detergents, disinfectants, soaps and other cleaning products in the food industry which contain nonylphenol. "
During the first six months of 2013 exports of soap totaled $49.2 million compared to the same period in 2012 when the figure was $40 million.
With this background, the soap industry expects to close 2013 with growth higher than the $82.1 million earned from exports in 2012, according to figures from the Central Bank of Honduras (BCH).
"... if the upward trend in the volume of exports is maintained, foreign exchange earnings could range from between $95 and $100 million at the end of this year," noted an article in Elheraldo.hn.