As a result of the pandemic, the consumer habits of Costa Ricans changed, a phenomenon that was evidenced in the forms of consumption of ice cream, which is now more frequently consumed in homes.
In the new commercial reality, the consumption of individual ice creams was considerably reduced and in the case of multipacks, sales increased. This change is due to the fact that nowadays people spend more time in their homes and prefer to consume this type of products at home.
What to consume, what to stop consuming, which habits to adopt to improve health and to which lines of expenditure to invest more financial resources, are some of the questions that consumers in Central America are asking in the context of the new normal.
The covid-19 outbreak generated a revolution in the markets of Central America and its different economic sectors.
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.
Fruits and vegetables, followed by baby food, milk and soy milk are the organic products in demand.
From a statement issued by the Foreign Trade Promotion Office of Costa Rica (PROCOMER):
Given the continuing concern about food safety, consumers in Hong Kong are seeking safer and high quality options such as those that can be found in the organic sector, since they are perceived as being more natural and nutritious compared to conventional foods.
In the US an increasing number of farmers are replanting with non-GM seeds, while grains prices fall and there is a growing preference for organic products.
At the end of 2014 consumption of non-GM foods such as cereals, salad dressings, eggs and other products increased by 15%, with sales reaching $9.6 billion. By analyzing consumer trends, the US agricultural sector expects this year increases of up to 45% in sales of non-genetically modified maize seeds and 8% in un genetically modified soy.
The European country has tripled its consumption of organic products since 2000 and despite being the largest European producer in this sector, the growing demand exceeds local supply.
From a statement issued by the Costa Rican Foreign Trade Promotion Office (Procomer):
The German organic food market is the world's second largest, after the United States, with sales which have soared in recent years and reached a record 7,500 million euros in 2013, almost a third of total sales of organic food in the European Union.
Between 2009 and 2013 the consumption of fresh fruits in the northern country increased 6%, while in the same period vegetable consumption went up by 5%.
From a statement issued by the Costa Rican Foreign Trade Promotion Office (Procomer):
The Canadian market for fresh fruits and vegetables is estimated to be worth $11.2 billion a year. The average Canadian buys fresh produce at least once a week and consumes three to five servings per day, well below the eight to ten servings recommended by Canada's Food Guide.
When selecting products UK consumers pay more attention to taste, freshness, traceability and packaging rather than the price factor.
From a statement from the Costa Rican Foreign Trade Promotion Office (PROCOMER):
Buyers' needs are changing in the UK and a representative of the supermarket giant Tesco believes that retailers must understand the new opportunities that this implies.
Sales of beverages and low-calorie foods such as cereals and snacks, have picked up in the old continent.
From an article by the Costa Rica Foreign Trade Promotion Office (PROCOMER):
Sales of products and low-calorie drinks have risen in Europe, according to the consulting firm Mintel, after a decline in 2004. According to Laura Jones, analyst at Mintel, the rise in demand for these products is driven by the popularity of low calorie diets such as Atkins, which has led people to be more aware of the amount of calories and carbohydrates they are consuming." This increased awareness has been promoted by some consumers. In Europe recently low-calorie products have been launched which have introduced a wide range of products that are normally associated with carbohydrates."
Changes in lifestyles and work schedules are driving between meal snacking of biscuits, cereals, milk and drinks in convenient and easy to use packaging.
From an article by the Costa Rican Foreign Trade Promotion Office (PROCOMER):
According to a study by Kantar Worlpanel Mexico, a market research company, with 8,500 households in major cities, the most important meal for the consumers of this country is breakfast as it is eaten every day by 98% of households, however, due to accelerated lifestyles it is very common that at least one member does not have time to consume it inside the house, so products have been developed which are practical, either because of their packaging or the product itself, so that people can easily consume it on the road, at work or school.