In the last five years, pork consumption in Central America increased 42%, from 197,000 tons in 2014 to nearly 279,000 tons in 2019, growth that was boosted by the Salvadoran and Honduran markets.
Figures from the "Pork Market Snapshot" prepared by the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData, detail that in the last two years’ regional consumption of pork registered a 3% increase, since between 2018 and 2019 it is estimated that demand in Central America rose from 270 thousand metric tons to 279 thousand tons.
When the economies of Central America begin to relax the restrictions that have been taken to prevent the spread of covid-19, it is expected that in the area of processed meats, sales of pork ham will be among the most contracted.
Using a demand/income sensitivity model developed by the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData, it is possible to project the variations that household demand for different goods and services will undergo as the most critical phases of the spread of covid-19 are overcome and the measures restricting mobility in the countries of the region are lifted.
Due to the fact that preference for "vegetable" or plant-based meat is growing quickly in major global markets, food industry business groups have begun to make investments to meet this novel and growing market niche.
Foods that were once considered the exclusive consumption of vegans or vegetarians are now becoming popular, and in the case of the United States, in supermarkets it is increasingly normal to see meat products made from plants.
It has been announced that after having met all the requirements, the country has officially obtained recognition as a nation free of Classical Swine Fever.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock reported that "...This recognition gives Costa Rica an official health status, thanks to the fact that the country does not have the disease and the conditions of legislation have been fulfilled which include veterinary services, control and eradication strategy, animal identification system, control of their movements and laboratory diagnosis, among other things."
Entrepreneurs in the sector plan to resume sales to El Salvador and Honduras during the second half of the year, after their restriction in 2011.
In 2011, countries in the region imposed restrictions on the entry of pork from Guatemala, after detecting the presence ofClassical Swine Fever.Now, Guatemalan pork producers are preparing to resume sales in the coming months.
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, 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"]
Between January and September 2016, Central American countries together imported $74 million in sausages and similar meat products, at an average price of between $2.37 and $2.85 per kilo.
Figures from a reporton Imports of Processed Meat in Central American, by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [Figure caption = "Click to interact with graphics"]
In 2015 the region as a whole imported $96 million worth of processed meat, led by El Salvador, which imported $25 million, followed by Guatemala with $22 million, and Honduras, with $16 million.
Figures onForeign Trade in Sausages Meat and Similar Products in Central America,analyzed by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData.com show that in 2015 the countries of Central America imported 33,528 tons of processed meat, equivalent to $96 million.
Chicken meat imports in Costa Rica had a growth of 57% in 2012 over the previous year, while beef only grew 46%.
From the report:
In 2012 the country imported $48.3 million worth, an increase of 28% compared to the previous year.
Imports of frozen bovine meat recorded the highest increase in monetary terms, with imports in 2012 having increased by more than $4.4 million compared with the previous year, going from $9.6 million in 2011 to approximately $14 million in 2012.
In light of an announcement by the Guatemalan government that they are looking for more beef suppliers, Colombia is making preparations.
From an article by the Costa Rican Trade Promotion Office (PROCOMER):
The Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food in Guatemala (MAGA) reported that it will be evaluating new suppliers in light of a possible meat shortage caused by an increase in prices in the country.
The Salvadoran Ministry of Livestock has closed the borders to Guatemalan pork due to an outbreak of classical swine fever in that country.
The ban also applies to pork products and pork byproducts, said a spokesperson for the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock in El Salvador.
The ministry spokesperson told the EFE agency "the action was taken as soon as Guatemala reported the problem and to prevent an outbreak in the country."