For the international organization, during 2020, Guatemala's economy showed resilience, since in the context of the crisis caused by the Covid-19 outbreak, the GDP contracted only 1.5%.
According to the International Monetary Fund, in a context of favorable specialization of production and exports, resilience of remittances, and unprecedented support from monetary and fiscal policies, the drop in Guatemalan production was minimal compared to that reported in other Central American countries.
Due to the high demand for commodities, it is estimated that prices in the international market have increased on average between 30% and 40%, a situation that favors Nicaraguan exporters of raw materials.
According to local businessmen, the price of coffee has climbed to historic highs, since last week it was quoted at $170 per quintal, a price that has not been registered since years ago.
In 2020, Central American countries spent $460 million to import bakery, pastry and biscuit products; of the total amount purchased abroad, Guatemalan, Honduran and Panamanian companies represented 62%.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with the graphic"].
Last year, trade in paints and varnishes between Central American countries amounted to $123 million, which is 10% lower than in 2019, a drop that was reported in the context of the economic crisis resulting from the Covid-19 outbreak.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with the graph"]
During 2020, companies in the region bought corn abroad for $998 million, 5% more than what was reported in 2019, a variation that is explained by the increase in imports from Nicaragua, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama and Costa Rica.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with the graph"]
During last year, imports of electric generators increased year-on-year in Nicaragua and Guatemala, and decreased in Costa Rica, Panama, Honduras and El Salvador.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with the graphic"].
During 2020, paper and cardboard imports of Central American companies amounted to $1,931 million, and purchases from Chilean companies increased 5% compared to what was reported in 2019.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with the graph"]
In order to streamline the processes of import and export of agricultural, livestock and hydrobiological inputs and products, the virtual platform VISAR online was enabled in Guatemala.
This tool is aimed at the productive sectors, importers of products of animal and vegetable origin, agricultural inputs and exporters of agricultural, livestock and hydrobiological products, which will now reduce time in their efforts with the use of cutting-edge technology, typical of the digital era, informed the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food (MAGA).
During 2020, Central American imports of infant formula for infant feeding packaged for retail sale totaled $134 million, an amount that is 9% lower than the amount reported in 2019.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with the graph"]
Last year, Central America assigned $784 million to fertilizer imports, 4% more than in 2019, with Nicaragua, Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador being the markets that accounted for the increase in regional purchases.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="fertilizer"].
In 2020, companies in the region bought abroad air conditioning equipment for $147 million, with Nicaragua being the only Central American market that in year-on-year terms increased its imports.
Data from the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with the graphic"].
Following Costa Rica's decision to impose requirements on the entry of avocados grown in Honduras, Costa Rican businessmen believe that these unilateral measures could generate trade retaliation for the country.
Arguing that molecular biology tests detected the presence of the Avocado Sunblotch viroid in shipments from Honduras, the Costa Rican State Phytosanitary Service (SFE) decided to start taking samples to analyze Honduran avocados.
After in May 2020, in the context of the pandemic caused by Covid-19, Central American furniture imports dropped to a historic low of $14 million, in the following months a recovery was evidenced and in December purchases amounted to $29 million.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with the graphic"].
Last year, Guatemala was the only market in the region where washing machine imports increased, the remaining five countries decreased their foreign purchases, with El Salvador reporting the worst drop.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with the graphic"].
After in May of last year in the context of the pandemic, regional purchases of tractors fell to a historic low at $4 million, in the following months imports showed a recovery and in December amounted to $20 million.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with the graphic"].