Between August 2019 and December 2020, there was evidence of an upward trend in the average price of Central American frozen fruit exports, as it increased from $1.04 to $1.45 per kilo.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with the graphic"].
In recent weeks in Central American countries, the volume of searches and conversations on the Internet associated with fruits and vegetables began to decrease, a downward trend that continued until mid-November.
Through a system that monitors in real time changes in consumer interests and 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.
During the first three months of the year countries in Central America sold $52 million worth of watermelons abroad, which is 20% more than what was exported in the same period in 2017.
Figures from the information system on the Fresh Watermelon Market in Central America, compiled by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData : [GRAFICA caption = "Click to interact with graph"]
Last year countries in the region exported $68 million worth of watermelons, the highest value in the last six years, registering an increase of 58% compared to 2016.
Figures from the information system on the Fresh Watermelon Market in Central America, compiled by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption = "Click to interact with graph"]
In the first quarter of 2018, imports grew slightly compared to the same period in 2017, driven by growth of third countries, with 11% of the total.
From a report by Procomer:
In the first quarter of 2018, Spanish imports of fruits and vegetables grew slightly in relation to the same period in 2017, totalling 823,145 ton, driven by growth of other countries, with 11% of the total.Meanwhile, purchases from the European Union (EU) went down by 5%, standing at 464,738 tons, according to data from the General Directorate of Customs.
The market for fresh fruits and vegetables in this European country amounts to $25 billion, mostly in fruits, while processed vegetables amount to just over $4 billion.
From a report by Procomer Costa Rica entitled "Opportunities for marketing fresh and processed fruits and vegetables in Italy":
The fresh fruit and vegetable market in Italy is USD 25,071 mn, mostly fruit (68%), and the processed market is USD 4,272 mn in 2017.Both have opportunities to supply the food industry and, specifically the fresh ones, to enter the retail trade in the Italian off-season and with exotic products.
An agricultural company is in the process of obtaining phytosanitary permits to export the first shipment of blueberries grown in Chimaltenango in September.
Agricultural exporter Planesa plans to complete the necessary paperwork and permits to dispatch the first shipment of blueberries processed in Parramos in September, where the company has been operating a plant for four years.
New consumption habits in developed markets are creating new opportunities for fruits such as mangosteen, dragon fruit, soursop, passion fruit, gooseberry, ipecac, pejibaye and starfruit.
From a report by PROCOMER, Costa Rica entitled "Emerging opportunities in sales of agricultural products"
In 2015 the region as a whole exported $36 million worth of watermelons, led by Costa Rica and Panama who exported $14 million each, followed by Honduras, with $4 million.
Watermelon Tradefiguresin Central America,analyzed by the Business Inteligence Unit at CentralAmericaData.com show that in 2015 the countries in Central America exported 154,476 tons of whole watermelon, at an average price of $0.23 per kilogram.
Fresh fruits, processed fruits, concentrates and fruit juices, coffee and cocoa are the main products with potential for export to China.
From a statement issued by Procomer of Costa Rica:
San José, November 18, 2016. Fresh fruits, processed fruits, concentrates and fruit juices, as well as coffee and cocoa are the main Costa Rican products that have potential for export to the Republic of Korea; a developed country with sophisticated and demanding consumers, in terms of innovation and quality.
In addition to traditional mango exporters such as Mexico, Peru, Ecuador, Brazil and Guatemala, now India, Pakistan, and soon, Thailand will be exporting too.
From a statement issued by the Foreign Trade Promotion Office of Costa Rica:
The Mango industry has shown considerable growth in the last decade.Since 2005, the year of the creation of theNational Mango Board, volumes have increased by around 50%. "The value of the industry, however, has grown by 91 or 92% in that period," said Manuel Michel, from the National Mango Board.
Importers buy directly in producing countries and occasionally provide services of relabeling, washing, packing, transporting and carrying out import formalities.
From a statement issued by PROCOMER:
The largest importer of papaya in Europe is Germany, however, Holland works as a commercial hub and distribution of fresh fruits, and is the main re exporter of this product to other countries in the region, mainly to Germany, the UK and Sweden.
Malaysian producers plan to start exporting fresh pineapple to China later this year as part of an agreement signed between the two countries in 2013.
From a statement issued by the Costa Rican Foreign Trade Promotion Office (Procomer):
Malaysia plans to start exporting fresh pineapples to China later this year. The first shipment of fruit was scheduled for last year but could not be performed because the Chinese authorities did not give their approval, according to a recent statement by the Malaysian Minister for Agribusiness Ismail Sabri Yaakob .
In 2014 papaya imports increased by 15% compared to 2013, maintaining the upward trend seen since 2011 and reflecting the increased consumption of the fruit in the country.
From a statement issued by the Costa Rica Foreign Trade Promotion Office (PROCOMER):
US consumers, according to new food trends, are reacting positively to the attributes of fruits such as papaya, since it has a high content of vitamins and nutrients needed to stay healthy.
The increase in sales of fruits and vegetables in the South American country could open up opportunities for a significant proportion of the exportable supply from Central America.
From a statement issued by the Foreign Trade Promotion Office of Costa Rica (Procomer):
An analysis by the Office of Agricultural Studies and Policies (PASO), at the Ministry of Agriculture of Chile noted that foods such as fruits, vegetables and dairy have entered on into the daily diet of Chileans in the past 10 years, while others such as sugar, rice and pulses have experienced a decline.