During 2020, companies in the region bought corn abroad for $998 million, 5% more than what was reported in 2019, a variation that is explained by the increase in imports from Nicaragua, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama and Costa Rica.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with the graph"]
Concern for health and a balanced diet, which goes hand in hand with the demand for food that is easy and quick to prepare, is one of the opportunities that can be taken advantage of by Central American exporters.
In the food market, the cultural variety stands out, due to the convergence of diverse culinary traditions generated by the relevance of tourism.
From January to June 2019 Central American exports of vegetables totaled $105 million, 5% more than what was reported in the same period in 2018, a rise explained by the behavior of sales to companies in the United States.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with graphics"]
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.
From January to March 2019, Central American exports of vegetables totaled $56 million, 5% less than what was reported in the same period in 2018, a decrease explained by the behavior of sales to companies in the United States.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAPHIC caption="Click to interact with graphic"]
The Asian giant represents a market of 1.345 million consumers and is the world's second largest importer of the agrifood sector, with $126 billion per year.
The study "Food Market in China", compiled by Procomer Costa Rica, indicates that in the Asian country 50% of agrifood imports are from the agricultural sector, in products such as soybeans (which corresponds to the main of the entire agrifood sector), barley and rice.
Exporters are preparing for the new regulation that will be implemented from 2020 in the U.S. market, among which is the application of a new table of nutritional data in packaged products.
Representatives of the Guatemalan Association of Exporters (Agexport) reported that both U.S. and foreign companies exporting to the U.S., must comply with new food labeling standards.
This cannel represents 42% of total spending by U.S. consumers on food outside the home, making it the sixth country in the world with the highest per capita spending on food in this type of channel.
The study "Characterization of the foodservice channel in the United States", by Procomer Costa Rica, indicates that 33% of what Costa Rica exports to the U.S.
In the first half of the year, countries in the region exported $51 million in frozen fruit, 11% less than in the same period in 2017.
Figures from the information system on the Frozen Fruit Market in Central America compiled by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with graphic"]
Costa Rican entrepreneurs are concerned about the impact of the crisis in the neighboring country on food exports, which between 2015 and 2017 grew at an average annual rate of 4%.
According to figures from the Promotora del Comercio Exterior (Procomer), last year Costa Rica's food industry exports amounted to $1.618 billion, which is equivalent to an increase of 4.7% compared to the amount reported in 2016.
Consumers of differentiated and healthy food are looking for experiences, they are people who work longer and prioritize health and well-being.
From the study "Challenges and Opportunities for the Supply of Differentiated Food" of by Procomer of Costa Rica:
Executive Summary The Costa Rican food industry has evolved in the last 10 years and is showing an average annual growth of 5%, but this dynamism has been mainly due to an increase in the amount exported and not so much because products have greater added value.Meanwhile, global trends in the food industry point to the development of differentiated, natural, autochthonous and sustainable food options. By 2016, 34% of global packaged food sales fell into the category of health and wellness, with options such as fortified, organic, natural, free from [a particular ingredient] or those targeted at intolerant consumers.
There is potential in the Colombian market for exporters of pasta, snacks, biscuits and gravy, through strategic partnerships with supermarket chains.
From a statement issued by the Costa Rican Foreign Trade Promotion Office :
San Jose, February 22, 2016. Building partnerships with supermarket chains represents an option for Costa Rican exporters of food products such as pasta, snacks, biscuits and gravy, to gain admission to that market.
Within a period of three years all processed foods containing partially hydrogenated oils must be removed from the US market.
From a press release issued by the FDA:
Based on a thorough review of the scientific evidence, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration today finalized its determination that partially hydrogenated oils (PHOs), the primary dietary source of artificial trans fat in processed foods, are not “generally recognized as safe” or GRAS for use in human food. Food manufacturers will have three years to remove PHOs from products.
It is increasingly common to find in major Chinese cities imported food stores and supermarkets with wide ranges of products like chocolates, cheeses and beers.
From a statement issued by the Costa Rica Foreign Trade Promotion Office (PROCOMER):
The transition China has experienced has allowed imports to go from being expensive and difficult to being readily available.
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.