Alimentos Ideal, Alimentos del Norte and Carnes Coclé are some of the companies that have won the most important contracts to provide food products to public institutions in Central America.
A study carried out by the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData analyzes the companies that were favored during 2019, with contracts to provide different types of food to the governments of Central American countries.
From January to March 2019, companies from countries in the region imported $47 million in food for dogs and cats, 12% more than was reported in the same period in 2018.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAPHIC caption="Click to interact with graphic"]
In the first quarter of 2019, the countries of the region imported $108 million in animal feed preparations, 8% less than what was reported for the same period in 2018.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData: [GRAPHIC caption="Click to interact with graphic"]
As a result of a decline in demand from some trading partners, Guatemalan exports of processed food and beverages decreased by 10% during the first quarter of the year compared to the same period in 2018.
Figures from the Bank of Guatemala report that from January to March 2019, Guatemalan exports of processed food and beverages totaled $292 million, 10% less than the amount reported in the same period of 2018.
It is estimated that Pricesmart S.A., Del Monte S.A. and Nestlé S.A. account for around 18% of the market share in the import of fruit and vegetable preparations.
Data from the “Corporate System of Companies” platform, from the Trade Intelligence unit of CentralAmericaData, provides details on the companies according to sector, main activity, volume and data of their imports, exports and other relevant data.
Riko Brands will start operating in February 2019 a new industrial plant at kilometer 13 of the highway to Comalapa, which will produce broth, dressings, pasta and soups.
Samuel Quirós, president of Quality Grains, owner of the food plant, explained to Laprensagrafica.com that "... the investment for the new facilities exceeded $1 million, including the construction of the building and the purchase of the machinery.”
In Costa Rica, the sector guild reports that during 2018, total exports of the food industry registered a slight decrease of 1% compared to last year's foreign sales.
The Costa Rican Chamber of Food Industry (Cacia) reported that the products recording falls in sales abroad this year were flours, fats, seafood, sugar, pastas, juices and alcohol, especially by the decline in purchases in the U.S. and Europe.
From January to June, countries in the region imported $466 million in food preparation products, 9% more than in the same period in 2017.
Figures from the information system on the Market for Food Preparation Ingredients in Central America, compiled by the Trade Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with graphic"]
In the first quarter of 2018, imports of solid soybean waste in the Central American countries amounted to $131 million, 26% more than in the same period in 2017.
Figures from the information system on the Market for Solid Soybean Oil Waste in Central America, compiled by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption = "Click to interact with graph"]
In the first quarter of the year, Honduras imported $24 million worth of baked goods, confectionery and biscuit products, and purchases made from companies in El Salvador grew by 11% compared to the same period in 2017.
Figures from the information system on the Market for Baked Goods, Pastry and Biscuit Products in Honduras, compiled by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption = "Click to interact with graph"]
In the first three months of the year, countries in the region imported $117 million worth of animal feed preparations, 15% more than in the same period in 2017.
Figures from the information system on the Animal Feed Preparations Market in Central America, compiled by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption = "Click to interact with graph"]
From January to March, countries in the region imported $213 million worth of food preparation supplies, 2% more than what was purchased in the same period in 2017.
Figures from the information system on the Market for Food Preparation Ingredients in Central America, compiled by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption = "Click to interact with graph"]
In the first three months of the year, Central American countries imported $118 million worth of bakery, confectionery and biscuit products, and $49 million worth was purchased by companies in Guatemala and Honduras.
Figures from the information system on the Market for Baked Goods, Pastry and Biscuit Products in Central America, compiled by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData : [GRAFICA caption = "Click to interact with graph"]
In the first three months of the year countries in the region bought $27 million worth of soups and their preparations, and imports from Mexico grew by 35% over the same period in 2017.
Figures from the information system on the Market for Soups and Soup Preparations in Central America, compiled by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption = "Click to interact with graph"]