During the second quarter of 2021, imports of fruit and vegetable juices in Central America recovered by 18% equivalent to 88 thousand tons, representing $68 million, coming from Guatemala as the main supplier.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with the graphic"]
The first quarter of 2021 saw an increase in frozen fruit exports by 60% to $41 million in the Central American region, with Costa Rica being the main seller with $47 million.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with the graphic"]
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"].
Between August 2019 and June 2020, an upward trend was evident 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"].
Due to the possible change in the regulations established by the European Union on the use of agrochemicals in the production of the fruit that enters their territory, exporters in the region are on the alert for the possible complications that this would generate in the commercialization.
In order to protect the health of consumers, European authorities could vary the maximum residue limits (MRL's) that food entering the region may contain.
Because the Asian giant is the world's largest buyer of fresh fruit and people are willing to consume new and tropical foods, the region's pineapple producers have the opportunity to increase their business with the Chinese market.
According to a study conducted by the Foreign Trade Promoter (Procomer), China remains one of the largest producers of fruit in the world, but quality remains a problem, so they are interested in imported fruit, added to consumers looking for better quality products as part of the search for a healthier lifestyle.
Encouraging production and raising the quality standards of the fruit are some of the challenges that Guatemala faces in order to take advantage of the multiple opportunities that exist in the international market.
It is estimated that worldwide the demand for avocado grows at a 10% annual rate and in its best season the fruit is quoted in Asian and European markets up to $1.75 per unit.
In recent years the downward trend in the average price of regional frozen fruit exports has not been reversed, as between June 2016 and September 2019 it fell from $1.60 to $1.14 per kilo.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with graphics"]
In the first six months of 2019, Central American countries exported pineapple for $525 million, and sales to companies in the United Kingdom grew by 5% over the same period in 2018.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with graphics"]
In the first three months of 2019, Central American countries exported $251 million worth of pineapple, and sales to Spanish companies increased 12% over the same period in 2018.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with graphic"]
In recent years, the downward trend in the average price of regional frozen fruit exports has not been reversed, since between June 2016 and March 2019 it fell from $1.60 to $1.19 per kilo.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData: [GRAPHIC caption="Click to interact with graphic"]
The reported decline in the value of frozen fruits exported from Central America is partially explained by the fall from $1.34 to $1.21 recorded in the price per kilo between January and December last year.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with graphic"]
The European country represents a market of 10 million inhabitants and its per capita expenditure on fruits and vegetables reaches $500 million per year, one of the highest in this category.
Procomer Costa Rica's "Fresh and Processed Foods in Portugal" study shows that in 2018, food spending in Portugal, including alcoholic beverages, reached $3,132 per capita, 20% of total consumption spending.
Importers in El Salvador report losses in shipments coming from Guatemala and Honduras, because of the tedious procedures that have become in Salvadoran customs.
Representatives of the Asociación Gremial Empresarial de Exportadores e Importadores de Frutas y Verduras de El Salvador (AGEIFVES), estimate that losses caused by delays in customs procedures could reach up to 50%.
In the first nine months of 2018, Central American countries exported pineapple for $828 million, 9% more than in the same period in 2017, mainly because of sales to U.S. companies.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with graphics]