In recent months, it is estimated that the cost of raw materials for bread production in the Nicaraguan market has increased by about 25% and consumption has decreased by 40%, a phenomenon that is reported in the context of the economic crisis generated by the outbreak of covid-19.
Raw materials such as oils, shortening, margarine and sugar have increased their prices in this context of sanitary emergency, a situation that has put pressure on the production costs of bread producers.
Because in today's business reality many people prefer to spend more time at home and cook their own food, the demand for easy-to-prepare processed seafood has grown.
At a global level, changes in consumer behavior have been reported, because of the quarantines decreed in several countries of the world by the outbreak of covid-19, people's habits, tastes and preferences have been changing.
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.
Local coffee shops are aiming to differentiate themselves through service and the quality of their coffee in a market where the number of establishments operating in the country has almost doubled in just five years.
Growth in Nicaraguan's purchasing power and the increasing sophistication of coffee consumption are some of the reasons behind the increase in the number of coffee shops in the country, which are located mainly in and around Managua.Figures from the Tourism Institute show that the number of registered establishments rose from 247 in 2010 to 461 in 2015.
In 2014 production of 538 million eggs was recorded, an increase of 57% compared with 2005, when there were 342 million.
The annual per capita consumption rose from 102 units in 2005 to 137 in 2014, equivalent to an increase of 34% over the last decade. Marketing experts and poultry farmers attributed the growth in egg consumption mainly to a trend in replacing beef with the poultry products.
Individual packages and innovation in packaging are part of the strategies used by the food industry in Latin America to improve the positioning of healthy packaged products.
From a statement issued by the Costa Rican Foreign Trade Promotion Office (Procomer):
The Latin American region has shown a preference for choosing healthier options of packaged foods.
The Taiwan Coffee Association reports that there are up to 10,000 coffee shops on the island and that each person consumes an average of 100 cups of coffee per year.
At the end of 2014, coffee exports to Taiwan were reportedly worth $2.4 million . "... El Salvador accumulated $50.52 million in sales of coffee to the world for the 2014/2015 harvest."
The growing preference for natural products explains part of the growth in sales of frozen fruit and vegetables in the United States, which exceeded $1 billion in 2014.
From a statement issued by the Costa Rican Foreign Trade Promotion Office (Procomer):
In 2006, few people were interested in the sale of frozen fruit, hidden within its own sector and packaging that was not very appealing.
Consumers increasingly prefer healthy products such as sugar obtained from coconut, apple and agave, which are considered more natural.
From a statement issued by the Foreign Trade Promotion Office (PROCOMER):
Coconut sugar has increased its popularity in many countries because it is perceived as a more natural or acceptable option than regular sugar. Despite being still a niche product, sales have increased significantly.
There is an increasing preference on the part of European consumers for confectionery products made from natural raw materials free from artificial ingredients.
From a statement issued by the Costa Rica Foreign Trade Promotion Office (PROCOMER):
Europe seeks confectionery free from artificial additives
'Natural' has become a key factor for consumers of the five largest European economies (Germany, France, UK, Italy and Spain) who choose gum flavoured with fruit, candy and other products in this category.
When purchasing packaged foods, German consumers show a preference for small or personal sized packages and those which are transparent or colorful.
From a statement issued by the Costa Rican Foreign Trade Promotion Office (Procomer):
In the German market the issue of packaging is extremely important. It is not only an indispensable element for protection of the product, showing information regarding the use and conservation of food and drinks, but it is also the image that catches consumer's eyes making it a differentiator between brands . Moreover, it is one of the main signals regarding product quality, especially when it comes to new products. Consequently, continuous innovation in packaging is essential in this market.
A new type of biodegradable container has been developed for products containing liquid or solid fat which prolongs the shelf life of the food.
From a statement issued by the Costa Rican Foreign Trade Promotion Office (Procomer):
Biomat research group at the University of the Basque Country, has developed a new biodegradable packaging for fatty products, both liquid and solid, made from agro-industrial by-products, thereby contributing to sustainable consumption of raw materials and by-product recovery. The container is transparent and at the same time, an excellent barrier to ultraviolet light and gases such as oxygen. Multilayer laminates are usually used as a barrier to gases, however, the product developed by Biomat group is monolayer, thus greatly reducing its cost. Furthermore, it can be heat sealed and is printable.
"Clean" labels , healthy snacks, frozen and convenience foods, good fats and own name brands are some of the factors that marking out global trends this year.
From a statement issued by the Costa Rican Foreign Trade Promotion Office (Procomer):
The main trends which will probably affect the food industry in 2015, have been identified by Innova Market Insights, from analysis of the most important events in the industry.
A report by the Foreign Trade Promotion Offices says that healthy, gourmet and halal products top the list of foods most demanded by consumers in the country.
From a statement issued by the Foreign Trade Promotion Office (PROCOMER):
A dynamic economy and the high purchasing power of consumers in Singapore opens up opportunities for Costa Rican exporters sending products to this market and other Southeast Asian countries.
Although the market is still small, it is estimated that in the coming years it will see the same rate of growth as health products, which in the past five years have increased by 37% annually.
From an article by the Costa Rican Trade Promotion Office (PROCOMER):
The market for gluten-free foods in Chile recorded sales of $40 million a year, a small part of the industry known as special foods, which was worth $2,691 million in 2012, despite this, if it grow at similar rates to the latter group (73.5% in the last five years), the future of gluten-free products in this market has great potential.