In 2017, countries in the region imported $36 million worth of glass and its manufactures from Mexico, and 39% was purchased by companies in Guatemala and Costa Rica.
Figures from the information system on the Central American Market for Glass and its Manufactures, compiled by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption = "Click to interact with the graph"]
Between January and June of 2017, countries in the region imported $150 million worth of glass and its manufactures, 4% more than the imports in the the same period in 2016.
Figures from the information system on the Central American Market for Glass and its Manufactures, compiled by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption = "Click to interact with the graph"]
Pharmaceutical products, plastic, food preparations, sugar and confectionery, and electrical cables are the main products that are sold to companies in the Dominican Republic.
Figures from the information system "Trade between Central America and the Dominican Republic", compiled by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Clic to interact with the chart"]
In 2016 imports of glass and its manufactures into Central American countries totaled $301 million, and the value imported from the Asian country grew by 27% compared to 2015.
Figures from the information system on the Central American Market for Glass and its Manufactures, compiled by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption = "Click to interact with the graph"]
Between January and September 2016 the volume of glass and glassware imported by Central American countries grew by 9% compared to the same period in 2015.
Figures from the Information Systemon the Glass and Glassware Market in Central America provided by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [Figure caption = "Click to interact with graphics"]
Recyclable and biodegradable bottles and packaging with a "second life" are some of the packaging trends arising in the food industry.
From a report by PROCOMER:
In the food sectorpackagingas a conceptis becoming increasingly present and brands are targeting their strategies towards green and practical practices. Experts believe that this is a crucial part of brand perception as it is a major point of contact with the consumer.Specialistshave detailed upcoming trends in packagingwhich are being backed by the food sector:
In 2015 Guatemala led the import of glass and glassware in the region, with 87,000 tons worth $63 million, followed by Costa Rica, which bought from abroad 84,000 tons, for $60 million.
Marketfiguresfor glass and glassware in CentralAmerica compiled by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData.com show that in 2015 the countries in Central America together imported 331,000 tons ofglass and glassware, equivalent to $287 million.
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.
Nicaragua does not recycle its discarded glass, and the little that is collected is exported to three recycling plants in other Central American countries.
Elnuevodiario.com.ni reports that "If there was a glass processing plant in Nicaragua, without a doubt the number of collectors would multiply and their income would improve, but for now the amount of material collected for selling at the three factories operating in Central America, is only 2.457 metric tons per year, the lowest of all countries on the isthmus. "
Variations in the size of packaging is an option increasingly used to meet the market demand for cheaper products.
Driven by competition, rising food prices and a loss of purchasing power by large groups of consumers in many markets, food processing companies are adjusting the size and presentation of the packaging in order to keep their products attractive.
Caribbean Bay Pools is committed to constructing the best fiberglass one piece pools available in the industry today. We do this by combining top quality, premium raw materials and our unique manufacturing process to ensure every Caribbean Bay Pool is able to pass our rigorous quality control inspections.
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Beverage Industry Digital Magazine established in 1942, the oldest Spanish trade journal and the only beverage trade magazine serving the Latin American beverage market. It serves soft drink bottlers, brewers, bottled water...