The FAO food price index closed the year with an increase of 8% compared to 2016, the highest annual average since 2014, although it is still 24% below the maximum levels reached in 2011.
From the monthly report on the FAO food price index:
The FAO Food Price Index* (FFPI) averaged 169.8 points in December 2017, down 5.8 points (3.3 percent) from November with the steepest declines registered in the prices of dairy, vegetable oils and sugar while those of cereals and meat also fell but only slightly. For the whole of 2017, the FFPI averaged 174.6 points, up 8.2 percent from 2016 and representing the highest annual average since 2014 although still 24 percent below the 2011 high of almost 230 points. While sugar values plummeted in 2017, dairy and meat prices registered sharp year-on-year increases and those of cereals and oils rose too, albeit more modestly.
In order to increase their sales abroad, farmers in the Dominican Republic intend to raise their farm's productivity levels this year.
Representatives of the guild of cattlemen state that farms in the sector that are dedicated to raising animals for production of milk and meat, have comparative advantages for local commercialization of products and also for their exportation.
The union of exporters estimates that between January and November of 2017 they have sold goods and services abroad worth $2.473 billion, 20% more than in the same period in 2016.
According to estimates by the Association of Producers and Exporters of Nicaragua (APEN) during the first 11 months of this year total exports added up to $2.47315 billion, these exceed by 20% the $2.05667 billion recorded in sales abroad in the same period in 2016
The guild of farmers in Nicaragua plans to close 2017 with more than $700 million in exports of meat and dairy products.
According to the Federation of Livestock Associations of Nicaragua (Faganic), exports of dairy products amounted to around 71,725 tons, which generated revenues of $154 million, while in terms of meat products, 133 thousand tons were sold abroad, worth more than $513 millions.
The union of exporters of bovine meat reports that since the end of September orders from the South American country have halted, falling practically to zero.
Business people in the Nicaraguan meat industry attribute the drop in meat sales to Venezuela to a sharp reduction in the volume of trade which the oil agreement between the South American country and the countries in the Alba contemplates.
Palm oil, fish, shrimp, coconut oil, rubber, beef and peanuts are the main products that Central American countries sell to companies in Mexico.
Figures from the information system "Trade between Central America and Mexico", compiled by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption = "Click to interact with the graphic"]
In January 2018, a delegation of businessmen from the livestock sector will be visiting the Asian country to develop new commercial alliances to increase exports of bovine meat.
Panamaamerica.com.pa reports that "...According to the president of the National Association of Cattle Ranchers (Anagan), Aquiles Acevedo, the aim of the visit is to look for new alternatives for exporting bovine meat.Acevedo explained that the Anagan will invest in livestock and raw materials, while the Chinese will provide the marketing, which is another way to export meat."
The new trade agreement increases the export quota of sugar to 60 thousand tons, and eliminates the export tariff of bovine offal to the Asian island.
Laprensa.com.ni explains that "...The expansion was agreed at a meeting between the delegations of the two diplomatic allies, headed by the general director of the BOFT, Yang Jenni, on the Taiwanese side, and his Nicaraguan counterpart, Cristian Martinez, held on Thursday."
In the last five years annual per capita consumption of pork in the countries of the region increased from 4.6 kilos in 2012 to 5.3 kilos in 2016, and growth was driven mainly by Panama and Costa Rica.
Between 2012 and 2016 regional pork consumption has maintained an upward trend, growing from 205 thousand tons in 2012 to 249 thousand tons in 2016, which is an increase of 21%.
In 2016 countries in the region exported 41,208 tons of beef to the US, 7% more than in 2015.
Figures from the information system on the Fresh, Refrigerated and Frozen Beef Market in Central America, complied by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with the graph"]
In August, the FAO food price index fell by 1.3% compared to July, due to lower prices for cereals, sugar and meat, which offset increases in dairy and vegetable oils.
From a report by the FAO:
The FAO Food Price Index* (FFPI) averaged 176.6 points in August 2017, down 2.3 points (1.3 percent) from July, but still 10 points (6 percent) above its value a year earlier.
Due to an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in the South American country, Honduras has tightened prevention and control measures at ports of entry such as ports and airports.
Latribuna.hn reports that "...The relevant measures are aimed at preventing the entry of the disease intothe national territory, and maintaining the current health status. In this context a warning has been given of the risks involved in importing live animals, products and by-products of bovine origin from that country."
In order to take advantage of the potential of the Nicaraguan livestock industry, it is essential that traceability systems be improved, a prerequisite for entering demanding markets such as Europe.
The growth in exports of meat and meat products from Nicaragua could be even greater if product monitoring and control systems were properly implemented throughout the production chain.The European market is one of the most demanding in this regard, and is one of the most profitable once the necessary traceability systems are implemented.
In 2016, the countries in the region sold 29 thousand tons of sausages, registering a 6% increase over 2015.
Figures from the information system on the Central American Market for Milk and Dairy Products, compiled by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption = "Click to interact with the graph"]
Figures from the Livestock Corporation show that 21% of beef consumers reduced their consumption compared to two years ago, 18% increased it and for 62% it stayed the same.
From the Conclusions section of the report on beef consumption in Costa Rica, by the Cattle Corporation:
According to the data in the study, the incidence of consumption and regular purchase of beef is estimated at 86.0%, that is to say, approximately 9 out of 10 households report buying and consuming beef on a regular basis.