As of October this year, the U.S. country will begin one of the phases of implementation of the new front labeling on food and non-alcoholic beverages, under the Labeling Law NOM-051 of the Ministry of Health.
One of the arguments that support the amendments to the Standard is the situation of health and welfare of citizens in the country. According to data from the National Health and Nutrition Survey (ENSANUT) 2018 (to date, the latest report released), 35.6% of children between 5 and 11 years old are overweight and obese. Meanwhile, children and young people between 12 and 19 years old report 38.4%, according to the Guatemalan Association of Exporters (Agexport).
For the local export sector, strategies focused on transforming the productive matrix are needed, so that in the next 20 years’ income from sales abroad will reach $18 billion annually.
According to figures revealed by Nicaraguan exporters, between 2018 and 2019 income from sales abroad increased 6%, growing from $2,617 million to $2,782 million. This increase occurred in a context of falling production.
The marketing of organic shrimp, vegetable meat, Monk Fruit and carob are some of the innovative market opportunities that Guatemalan exporters have identified for this year.
For the "Best Markets, Products & Services 2020 Study", prepared by the Market Development and Trade Promotion Department of AGEXPORT, 27 high potential markets for Guatemalan products and services exports were selected, identifying 18 countries and 9 states of the United States, which together with the 351 tariff items generate more than 900 commercial opportunities for the Guatemalan exportable supply and international markets, informed the sector's union.
During 2018, sales of packaged foods in the United Kingdom exceeded $84 billion, and 36% corresponded to private label products, which have quickly entered this market.
The study "Trends and requirements of private label buyers in the food sector in the United Kingdom", prepared by Procomer Costa Rica, indicates that the United Kingdom stands out as the second country in Europe with greater penetration of private label.
Because Nicaragua is charging an additional fee of $0.05 for each kilogram exported or imported by air, fresh fish exporters have increased their costs and become less competitive.
Last April 25, the International Airport Administration Companies (EAAI) of Nicaragua began to collect the new tax. See "More costs in Times of Crisis".
With the approval of the tax reform, in Nicaragua the period for exporting companies to transfer the tax credit to the producer or manufacturer was reduced from three to two months.
At the end of February, the National Assembly approved the amendment to the Tax Concertation Law, which increases from 1% to 3% the income tax of large taxpayers and also shortens the deadline for exporters to transfer the tax credit to producers, which is 1.5% on the value of FOB exports.
The complex economic and political situation that has affected Nicaragua since April continues to affect Central America, where exporters report losses of $45 million.
In the past months, cargo transport faced difficulties in moving goods along Nicaragua's highways due to demonstrators' blockades and insecurity, seriously affecting Central American companies.
Exporters resent the effects of five continuous days of demonstrations, blockades and widespread insecurity on the roads of Costa Rica.
Before the strike, which was started a few days ago by unions representing the country's public institutions, the Chamber of Exporters of Costa Rica (Cadexco) denounced the fact that companies in the sector are facing multiple difficulties in exporting their products.Puerto Moín, the main outlet for exports, is onlyoperating six hours a day, leaving close to 12,000 tons per day unable to be shipped, which is estimated to be equivalent to almost $10 million in daily sales abroad.
As part of the Buyers Trade Mission, from 25 to 27 September, 500 Costa Rican exporters will be meeting with 300 entrepreneurs from 50 countries.
The Foreign Trade Promotion Office (Procomer), the institution in charge of organizing the event, reported that this year it foresees holding 5,300 business appointments at the event, which will take place at the Costa Rica Convention Center, in Barreal de Heredia.
XAGRO has been appointed the authorized distributor of DeltaTrak's temperature recorders for Central America.
With new regulations for exports of refrigerated and frozen products it is critical and required that you monitor and record temperatures throughout the cold chain. Not only does this protect exporters against defective refrigeration equipment, but it provides proof to your buyers that the product has not been subjected to abusive temperatures.
Companies working in the fields of Technology, Manufacturing, Medical equipment and other sectors will be showcasing their products and exploring business opportunities from August 24 to 26 in Managua.
ExpoTaiwan will be held at the Olof Palme Convention Center and will feature more than thirty companies from Taiwan.
A virtual seminar has been organized for April 5, on recommendations to negotiate with Indian companies and best practices for exporting to that market.
From a statement issued by PROCOMER:
ConnectAmericas, anonlineplatformcreated by the Inter - American Development Bank (IDB) with support from Google, DHL, Visa and Alibaba will be holding afreewebinaron essential tips for doing business in India, on April 6 at 10:00 am, in which best practices for entering the Indian market will be explored and useful guidelines will be provided for the export process.
The union of exporters has reported losses of $145 million, and more than 12,000 shipping containers held up because of the blockades which have now been going on for more than a week.
Reports indicate that two shipping companies have suspended operations at the ports and announced they will not disembark because of "inability to ensure the safety of their staff."This is just one example of the serious damage caused to in the country by the blockades and demonstrations held by truckers for almost a week at customs offices and ports in Guatemala.
The regulations in force for Central America allow two methods of certifying the weight of cargo moving through ports in the region.
The new regulations in force since July 1 oblige entities transporting containerized cargo by sea tocertify its weight under the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (Solas). The problem cited by exporters is the increase this will have on costs, in addition to infrastructure problems faced in some ports in the region.
A virtual seminar on logistics practices for export to the United States has been organized for October 25th.
The free webinar organized by the Secretariat of Economic Integration (SIECA) aims to provide training via the internet for professionals, students and people in general in the region interested in learning about the requirements and opportunities available for SMEs to import and export to the American market.