Concern for health and a balanced diet, which goes hand in hand with the demand for food that is easy and quick to prepare, is one of the opportunities that can be taken advantage of by Central American exporters.
In the food market, the cultural variety stands out, due to the convergence of diverse culinary traditions generated by the relevance of tourism.
From January to September 2019, Central American exports of vegetables totaled $159 million, 21% more than reported in the same period in 2018, a rise that is explained by the behavior of sales to companies in the United States.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with graph"]
The first foreign sale of the fruits was carried out by the company Melones de la Península, which sent 1,500 kilos to Europe by air and 10,000 kilos by sea.
After the organization Kiwa BCS Limitada granted the certification of organic product, in a first stage Melones de la Península exported 1,500 kilos during two weeks, by air, between both varieties (melon-yellow honey dew and watermelon-quetzali), as well as approximately 10 thousand kilos by sea in the same period.
The European country represents a market of 10 million inhabitants and its per capita expenditure on fruits and vegetables reaches $500 million per year, one of the highest in this category.
Procomer Costa Rica's "Fresh and Processed Foods in Portugal" study shows that in 2018, food spending in Portugal, including alcoholic beverages, reached $3,132 per capita, 20% of total consumption spending.
After concluding an audit that began in 2016, European Union authorities notified Costa Rica that it will be able to continue exporting its organic vegetables to European countries.
The Costa Rican government reported that the European Union (EU) notified the State Phytosanitary Service (SPS) of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock that the audit initiated in 2016 was completed with the aim of evaluating the actions of the Unit of Accreditation and Registration of Organic Agriculture (ARAO) of the SPS, resulting in continued recognition under the category of Third Country for Costa Rica.
Last year exports of 17 types of fruits, vegetables and organic grains may registered a 4% increase compared to 2016.
In the last ten years, the number of agricultural producers dedicated to the cultivation of fruits, vegetables and organic grains increased from 1,500 to 6,451, according to figures from the National Secretariat for Health and Food Safety (SENASA). Also in the last decade, it is estimated that the planted area grew from 4,400 hectares to 31 thousand hectares.
In 2016 exports of fresh and chilled vegetables from countries in the region amounted to $143 million, and sales to the US grew by 9% compared to 2015.
Figures from the information system on the Fresh or Chilled Vegetables Market in Central America, compiled by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption = "Click to interact with the graph"]
Central American countries face the challenge of improving their production techniques in order to increase quality and take advantage of the opportunity that exists in the European market.
Elnuevodiario.com.ni reports that"...According to the most recent European statistics of 2015, the consumption of organic products in the European Union (EU) was 28.3 billion euros in that year. 70% of this expenditure came from four countries: Germany, France, Italy and the United Kingdom. However, those adding the most of these types of products into their shopping baskets are the Danish (8.4% of their purchases), Austrians (8%) and Swedes (7.7%), according to data from the same year.
A proposal has been made in to parliament for a new law creating a central body to control, eradicate and manage pests and diseases in plants and animals in the country.
From an article by the Costa Rican Trade Promotion Office (PROCOMER):
The Indian Agriculture Minister, Sarad Pawar, sent a new law to the parliament of his country, which will create a central agency, the Agricultural Biosecurity Authority of India (ABAI), in order to predict, control, eradicate and manage pests and diseases in plants and animals.
Costa Rica and Canada have recognized the equivalence of regulations governing the accreditation and certification of organic agricultural products in both countries.
This agreement "... allows free passage for Costa Rican exporters, dedicated to this subsector, to export to the U.S. market," noted an article in Elfinancierocr.com.
Rice, bananas, banana purée, cocoa, coffee, sugarcane, blackberries, oranges, noni, pineapples, aloe, legumes, vegetables, fruits and spices are some of the organic products that can enter the Canadian market.
The Costa Rican Trade Promotion Office has announced opportunities in the Chilean market.
A statement from the Costa Rican Trade Promotion Office (PROCOMER):
There is an opportunity to supply organic bananas and pineapples to a Chilean supermarket chain, for a period of one year with a possible extension of the contract.
For more details contact Alexander Roman, promoter of agriculture, whose email address is aroman@procomer.com
Arriving in the country are: Walmart Global Food Sourcing Central America, Bagley Produce, Farm Fresh Market, Anthony Marano Company, Clarke & Stephen, LLP Legal Translator and Total Quality Logistics.
According to Laprensa.com.ni , the six "major U.S. companies will arrive in Managua on 28 November to explore shopping opportunities in agribusiness in Nicaragua, and to get to know the facilities offered by the country for doing business."
Suppliers of organic products reported a rise in sales and improved market conditions.
A statement from the Costa Rican Trade Promotion Office (PROCOMER) reads:
Sales of organic products in Europe Recover
According to Organic Monitor many suppliers of organic products have reported a rise in sales and improved market conditions, however, this situation is not shared by all European countries.
Mexico's health institutions and consumers have pressured the industry to develop products with less fat, salt, sugar and artificial additives.
From a press release by Procomer:
The increase in demand for more natural, practical and healthy products in Mexico, outlines the three macro trends which will guide the activities of the manufacturers of foods, beverages and confectionery in the coming years, said Esteban Diaz, COO of SICA Food a consultancy company specializing in the food industry.
The country has begun to increase the application of a regulation, which states that imported organic products must be certified by Chinese standards.
From a press release by Procomer:
According to the Department of Agriculture of the United States, many exporters of fresh produce to China will soon have to remove the word "organic" from labels on their food, because some officials in the Asian country have begun to increase the application of a regulation , which states that imported organic products must be certified by Chinese standards.