If the products and services sold include aspects that are highly valued by customers and our prices have evolved below market rates, it means that it is feasible to raise marketing prices.
Ariel Banos, founder of Fijaciondeprecios.com, describes the signs that should be analyzed by businessmen at the moment of applying an increase in the prices of the products and services marketed.
In September, price increases were more pronounced for vegetable oils and cereals, and for dairy products prices remained stable, while sugar and meat prices fell from their August levels.
The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reported that in September 2020 the food price index averaged 97.9 points, i.e., 2% more than in August and already 4.6% above its value a year ago.
In Guatemala since April 12, interactions in the digital environment associated with the purchase of vehicles has rebounded; however, in April and May, prices of cars and pickups grew more slowly compared to the number reportes on the first quarter of the year.
Through a system that monitors in real time changes in price levels, interests and consumer preferences in Central American countries, developed by CentralAmericaData, it is possible to project short and long term demand trends for the different products, sectors and markets operating in the region.
In Guatemala, between January and February of this year, the price of 22-gauge steel sheet fell 2%, and the price of rustic pine formwork wood increased 2%.
The Price Index of Construction Materials -IPMC-, prepared by the National Institute of Statistics (INE), measures the price variations of the eighty-nine (89) materials and services that make up the representative basket of inputs used in the construction activity, using December 2018=100 as the base month.
Price per gallon of regular gasoline: Costa Rica $3.82, Nicaragua $3.61, Honduras $3.39, Guatemala $2.99, El Salvador $2.98 and Panama $2.81.
From the Ministry of Economy of El Salvador report:
The current reference prices for gasoline and diesel maintain a mixed trend (ups and downs), these variations are because of the continuous fall in the reserves of these products.
In the second month of this year, the FAO food price index rose by 8 percent compared to the same month in 2019, explained by rising prices of meat, dairy products, vegetable oils and sugar.
From FAO's monthly report:
-The FAO Food Price Index* (FFPI) averaged 180.5 points in February 2020, down 1.9 points (1.0 percent) from January but still 13.5 points (8.1 percent) higher than in February 2019.
Price per gallon of regular gasoline: Costa Rica $4.10, Nicaragua $3.51, Honduras $3.39, El Salvador $2.95, Guatemala $2.92 and Panama $2.81.
From the report of the Ministry of Economy of El Salvador:
The current reference prices for gasoline and diesel show a mixed trend (ups and downs), these variations are due to the continuous fall in the reserves of these products, according to reports provided by the IEA in February 2020.
Price per gallon of regular gasoline: Costa Rica $4.07, Nicaragua $3.52, Honduras $3.45, El Salvador $3.04, Guatemala $3.02 and Panama, $2.83
From a statement by the Ministry of Economy of El Salvador:
The current reference prices for gasoline and diesel, show low prices at national level, due to the outcome of the conflict between the United States and Iran, where the Arab country attacked two military bases located in Iraqi territory.
About 60% of the apartments in the district of Santa Ana, Costa Rica, have prices per square meter that range from US$1,500 to US$2,000.
An analysis of the real estate supply by area, prepared by the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData, shows interesting results on the behavior and distribution of prices per square meter in the sector of Santa Ana, in the province of San José.
Price per gallon of regular gasoline: Costa Rica $4.07, Nicaragua $3.52, Honduras $3.45, El Salvador $3.04, Guatemala $3.02 and Panama $2.83
From the Ministry of Economy of El Salvador's statement:
The current reference prices for gasoline and diesel present generalized increases, due to the recent geopolitical conflicts between the United States and Iran during the first weeks of January 2020, which is why the international prices of oil and derivatives increased by an average of 4%.
As of December last year, the FAO food price index was up 13% over the same month in 2018, explained by rising prices of meat, dairy products, vegetable oils and sugar.
From the monthly report of the FAO:
» The FAO Food Price Index* (FFPI) averaged 181.7 points in December 2019, up 4.4 points (2.5 percent) from November, marking the third month of consecutive increase.
During December 2019, the CPI registered a 3.4% variation with respect to the same month of the previous year, an inflationary rhythm higher than the 2.3% reported at the end of 2018.
The most important inflation levels of December 2019 are the following: a monthly inflation of 0.60% was registered, an inflationary rhythm of 3.41% and an accumulated inflation of 3.41%, informed the National Statistics Institute (INE).
In Guatemala, between January and November of last year, the price of 3/8" diameter, corrugated, legitimate iron rod fell 9%, and that of structural galvanized steel sheet, die-cut, 26 gauge, fell 5%.
The Price Index of Construction Materials -IPMC-, prepared by the National Institute of Statistics (INE), measures the price variations of the eighty-nine (89) materials and services that make up the representative basket of inputs used in the construction activity, using December 2018=100 as the base month.
During November, the CPI registered a 2.9% variation with respect to the same month of 2018, an inflationary rhythm higher than the 4.2% rate reported in October.
The most important inflation levels in November 2019 are as follows: 0.44% monthly inflation, 2.92% inflation and 2.79% accumulated inflation, according to the National Statistics Institute (INE).
Last month FAO's food price index rose 10% from November 2018, explained by rising prices of meat, dairy products and vegetable oils.
From FAO's monthly report:
» The FAO Food Price Index* (FFPI) averaged 177.2 points in November 2019; up 4.7 points (2.7 percent) from October and 15.4 points (9.5 percent) from the corresponding period last year.