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.
Individual packages and innovation in packaging are part of the strategies used by the food industry in Latin America to improve the positioning of healthy packaged products.
From a statement issued by the Costa Rican Foreign Trade Promotion Office (Procomer):
The Latin American region has shown a preference for choosing healthier options of packaged foods.
The growing preference for natural products explains part of the growth in sales of frozen fruit and vegetables in the United States, which exceeded $1 billion in 2014.
From a statement issued by the Costa Rican Foreign Trade Promotion Office (Procomer):
In 2006, few people were interested in the sale of frozen fruit, hidden within its own sector and packaging that was not very appealing.
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.
When purchasing packaged foods, German consumers show a preference for small or personal sized packages and those which are transparent or colorful.
From a statement issued by the Costa Rican Foreign Trade Promotion Office (Procomer):
In the German market the issue of packaging is extremely important. It is not only an indispensable element for protection of the product, showing information regarding the use and conservation of food and drinks, but it is also the image that catches consumer's eyes making it a differentiator between brands . Moreover, it is one of the main signals regarding product quality, especially when it comes to new products. Consequently, continuous innovation in packaging is essential in this market.
A new type of biodegradable container has been developed for products containing liquid or solid fat which prolongs the shelf life of the food.
From a statement issued by the Costa Rican Foreign Trade Promotion Office (Procomer):
Biomat research group at the University of the Basque Country, has developed a new biodegradable packaging for fatty products, both liquid and solid, made from agro-industrial by-products, thereby contributing to sustainable consumption of raw materials and by-product recovery. The container is transparent and at the same time, an excellent barrier to ultraviolet light and gases such as oxygen. Multilayer laminates are usually used as a barrier to gases, however, the product developed by Biomat group is monolayer, thus greatly reducing its cost. Furthermore, it can be heat sealed and is printable.
"Clean" labels , healthy snacks, frozen and convenience foods, good fats and own name brands are some of the factors that marking out global trends this year.
From a statement issued by the Costa Rican Foreign Trade Promotion Office (Procomer):
The main trends which will probably affect the food industry in 2015, have been identified by Innova Market Insights, from analysis of the most important events in the industry.
A report by the Foreign Trade Promotion Offices says that healthy, gourmet and halal products top the list of foods most demanded by consumers in the country.
From a statement issued by the Foreign Trade Promotion Office (PROCOMER):
A dynamic economy and the high purchasing power of consumers in Singapore opens up opportunities for Costa Rican exporters sending products to this market and other Southeast Asian countries.
Although the market is still small, it is estimated that in the coming years it will see the same rate of growth as health products, which in the past five years have increased by 37% annually.
From an article by the Costa Rican Trade Promotion Office (PROCOMER):
The market for gluten-free foods in Chile recorded sales of $40 million a year, a small part of the industry known as special foods, which was worth $2,691 million in 2012, despite this, if it grow at similar rates to the latter group (73.5% in the last five years), the future of gluten-free products in this market has great potential.
It is estimated that the global market for health products will have grown by 25% by 2017, with the US leading the demand for these foods, ahead of Japan and European countries.
From an article by the Costa Rican Trade Promotion Office (PROCOMER):
According to a report prepared by the consulting firm Leatherhead Food Research the global functional food market will be worth $54 billion in 2017, representing a growth of 25% compared with data for 2013.
Snacks, natural oils and fats, clarity of labeling, focus on "Millennials" and amateur chefs.
From a statement issued by the Costa Rican Foreign Trade Promotion Office (Procomer):
Five factors have been pointed out as playing an important role in the food industry in 2015
The market researcher Innova Market Insights noted that there are five factors which will play an important role in the food industry in 2015: clean labels, convenience for amateur chefs, marketing for millennials, snacks, and fats and good carbohydrates.
In Central and South America the use of this type of packaging grew by 50%, going from nearly 5 billion units in 2008 to 7 billion in 2013.
From a statement issued by the Costa Rican Foreign Trade Promotion Office (PROCOMER):
The market for flexible packaging (such as those used in sauces and mayonnaise) in Central and South America has experienced rapid growth over the past five years, increasing by 50% in volume, going from nearly five billion units in 2008 to 7 billion in 2013, according to a recent report by PCI Films Consulting. The largest categories of individual final consumption were mayonnaise and tomato sauce (not ketchup), each having 16% and 23% of the volumes, respectively.
Supermarket or "own brands" with lower prices have started to gain ground in the market for organic and healthy food products among US consumers.
From a statement issued by the Costa Rican Foreign Trade Promotion Office (PROCOMER):
Own brands of organic and natural products are gaining ground in the US
The emergence of brands such as Kroger's Simple Truth, Wild Harvest by Supervalu and Simply Nature by Aldi for organic and natural products are a clear example of how own brands are evolving, as both producers and retailers aim to satisfy consumer demand which is increasingly more concerned about wellbeing and nutrition with more healthy options at a good price, leading many supermarkets to create their own brands focusing on a balanced diet.
Labels including the list of ingredients on food and beverage products are now the second most important factor in purchasing decisions of consumers in Europe, after the price.
From a statement by the Foreign Trade Promotion Office of Costa Rica (PROCOMER):
The consulting firm Ingredion has conducted a study entitled The Clean Label Guide To Europe in which analysis is made of the importance of the clean label movement in Europe.
Sales of food supplements and vitamins during 2013 increased by 9% compared to the previous year.
Combined substances such as antioxidants, vitamins and supplements are part of the healthy products or foodstuffs category whose consumption has gained momentum in the country in recent years ... this is due to "... A higher level of consumer confidence in these products. "