When the pandemic that caused the covid-19 outbreak began, interest in vitamins and supplements rebounded in all Central American markets, but, in recent weeks, a decline in the number of Internet searches associated with the topic has been reported.
Through a system that monitors in real time changes in consumer interests and preferences in Central American countries, developed by CentralAmericaData, it is possible to project short and long-term demand trends for the different products, sectors and markets operating in the region.
Since April it is evident that in the Central American markets the number of Internet searches and digital interactions associated with vitamins and food supplements has been growing continuously.
Through a system that monitors in real time changes in consumer interests and preferences in Central American countries, developed by CentralAmericaData, it is possible to project short and long term demand trends for different types of furniture, products, services, sectors and markets operating in the region.
Operating Company dedicated to the manufacture of gluten-free and sugar-free products, OHNE brand.
The OHNE brand has 8 product lines: square bread, sweet lemon cookies with chia, chocolate with blueberries and sweet cookies with sunflower seeds, sesame sticks, empanizer, banana cake, all made without gluten, without sugar, without soy and dairy-free, ingredients that are intolerant for this market segment.
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.
Edible commodities such as fruits and vegetables are increasingly being used as natural dyes in food manufacturing processes.
From a report by PROCOMER in Costa Rica:
The call for transparency and clarity of the ingredients is becoming stronger and stronger, with the industry responding with more clean-label formulas with natural alternatives.Several studies have shown that most consumers believe it is increasingly important that the food or drinks they consume only contain natural ingredients.In order to ensure that the products concerned meet their expectations, 66% of buyers around the world will take time to critically look at the information that appears on the back of the product packaging.
Characteristics of consumers on the west coast of Canada and the marketing channels in the area are factors representing opportunities for exporting healthy products.
From a report entitled "Differentiated Food on the west coast of Canada" by PROCOMER Costa Rica:
The west coast of Canada offers opportunities for marketing products with distinct elements that provide health benefits related to things such as sporting lifestyles, helping with weight loss, natural products, products free of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) or that facilitate special diets such as gluten-free products.
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.
In the United States the importance of the price factor continues to decrease when it comes to choosing products and there is a growing tendency to buy food to improve "quality of life".
From a statement issued by the Costa Rica Foreign Trade Promotion Office (PROCOMER):
The perception of the American consumer about healthy food is changing, which could have an effect on the food industry, as companies seek to adapt in order to make greater gains in a very dynamic market, concluded an investigation by the consultancy AlixPartners.
The European country has tripled its consumption of organic products since 2000 and despite being the largest European producer in this sector, the growing demand exceeds local supply.
From a statement issued by the Costa Rican Foreign Trade Promotion Office (Procomer):
The German organic food market is the world's second largest, after the United States, with sales which have soared in recent years and reached a record 7,500 million euros in 2013, almost a third of total sales of organic food in the European Union.
"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.
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.
Purchasing decisions by Europeans, always guided by the perception of quality, are becoming increasingly influenced by the price factor and by a tendency to consume healthy foods.
A focus on the characteristics of the average European is the driving force behind an analysis of current trends and consumer habits. Ramón Tejeiro Vidal, head of the EU program to support the EU-CA, is the author of this interesting approach.
Projected consumption of beverages such as water, ready to drink tea and juices will generate about 65% of new sales in 2018 in developed countries.
From a statement issued by the Foreign Trade Promotion Office of Costa Rica (PROCOMER):
Healthy drinks are a priority in developed markets
The global beverage market is splitting into two macro markets: one composed of consumers in emerging economies demanding by big brands and traditional products such as carbonated beverages, and the other in developed markets looking for healthy drinks.
Supermarket chains are increasing their supply of health care and wellness products, especially those that are natural or organic.
From a statement issued by the Foreign Trade Promotion Office of Costa Rica:
Panama, unlike other Latin American countries, is a net importer of food products, within this category, supermarkets have specifically increased their supply of products geared towards health and wellness of Panamanians.