From January to June 2020, exports from Central America of palm oil and its derivatives totaled $336 million, an amount barely 1% higher than that reported for the same period in 2019.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with graph"]
During the first seven months of 2020, exports of palm oil and its derivatives from Central America to Mexican companies totaled $138 million, 22% more than the same period in 2019.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with graph"]
During the first eleven months of 2019, exports of palm oil and its fractions from Central America to Mexican companies totaled $192 million, 25% more than the same period in 2018.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption "Click to interact with graphics"]
In recent years, the average price of palm oil exports from Central America has reported a downward trend, from $1.13 per kilo in May 2012 to $0.53 per kilo in March 2019.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with graphic"]
Petroleum products, iron and steel, food and pharmaceutical products, headed last year's purchases from companies in the South American nation from Central American countries.
Figures from the Central American-Ecuador Trade Information System complied by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAPHIC caption = "Click to interact with the graph"]
Fuels, plastic goods and pharmaceutical products led last year's imports made by Central American companies in the South American nation.
Figures from the information system of Commerce between Central America and Colombia, from the Trade Intelligence Area of CentralAmericaData:[GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with graphic"]
Between February 2016 and March 2018, the average price of palm oil exports from Central America registered an increase of 20%.
Figures from the information system on the Palm Oil Market and its Fractions in Central America, compiled by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption = "Click to interact with graph"]
In the first quarter of the year Honduras exported $45 million worth of palm oil and its derivatives, and 85% went to the Netherlands and El Salvador.
Figures from the information system on the Palm Oil Market and its Derivatives in Honduras, compiled by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption = "Click to interact with graph"]
Explained by sales to the Netherlands, last year Central America exported $1.344 billion worth of palm oil and its fractions, 74% more than in 2016.
Figures from the information system on the Palm Oil Market and its Fractions in Central America, compiled by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption = "Click to interact with graph"]
For the present harvest, the sector's union forecasts an increase of between 8 and 9% in sales abroad, which would generate $400 million in revenues.
According to figures from the Industrial Association of Oil Producers of Honduras (Aipah), in the previous cycle the country exported 469 thousand tons, which generated $364 million and the main destination market was Europe, which acquired 85% of the total.In this harvest it is expected that about 515 thousand tons will be to exported.
Between January and June 2017, Central American countries exported $378 million worth of palm oil, 22% more than was sold in the same period in 2016.
Figures from the Information System on the Market for Palm Oil and its Derivatives in CentralAmerica complied by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption = "Click to interact with graph"]
Of the total amount exported in 2016 by Central American countries, 34% went to the Netherlands, 25% was exported to Mexico, and 15% to Germany.
Figures from the Information System on the Market for Palm Oil and its Derivatives in Central America compiled by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [Figure caption = "Click to interact with graphics"]
The Colombian government has reduced tariffs to 0 on imports of lentils, beans and garlic, and suspended the price band for crude and refined oils.
From a statement issued by the President of Colombia:
The National Government has approved a reduction to 0% on tariffs on the import of lentils, beans and garlic, and has temporarily suspended the price band for crude and refined oils, which will ease the cost of the food basket for Colombians during the first half of 2016.
Within a period of three years all processed foods containing partially hydrogenated oils must be removed from the US market.
From a press release issued by the FDA:
Based on a thorough review of the scientific evidence, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration today finalized its determination that partially hydrogenated oils (PHOs), the primary dietary source of artificial trans fat in processed foods, are not “generally recognized as safe” or GRAS for use in human food. Food manufacturers will have three years to remove PHOs from products.
The slowdown in economic activity in 2014 was also reflected in the decline in foreign direct investment, which reached $2.106 billion, 21% less than in 2013.
From a report issued by the Central Bank of Costa Rica:
In 2014, operations with the external sector showed an imbalance in the current account equivalent to 4.9% of GDP (5.0% in the previous year).