Sales of fish preparations and canned fish, caviar and its substitutes prepared with fish roe in the Central American region remained relatively stable, with a value of $22.3 million and 4,182 tons, with El Salvador being the main exporter with $82 million.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData: [ GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with the graphic"]
The increase in demand for these products is an opportunity for Central American producers.
From a statement by the Costa Rican Trade Promotion Office:
"Fruits and vegetables play a vital role in the daily diet of Singaporean families. In 2011 the per capita fruit consumption was 66 kg. Vegetables on the other hand reached a per capita consumption of 95 kg, according the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA).
Imports of prepared or preserved fish made by Singapore grew by 29% from 2011 to 2012.
From an article by the Costa Rican Foreign Trade Promotion Office (PROCOMER):
According to the World Trade Atlas, imports of prepared or preserved fish (tuna subheading 1604.14) carried out by Singapore experienced an increase of 29% in the period 2011-2012, indicating that the Singaporean import sector behaved dynamically throughout the year.
Colombian imports of fish, canned fruit and vegetables have grown by 200% since 2006, as a result of market dynamism.
A statement from the Costa Rican Trade Promoter reads:
In Colombia half of all canned food is imported
Over the past five years, Colombia imports of fish, canned fruit and vegetables has increased by 200%. This is a consequence of the expansion of their product portfolio and market dynamism, indicated Elmer Botia, an entrepreneur in this sector. "50% of (preserved) products sold in Colombia are imported because local production costs are high."
The company Conservas Fincas de Oro has added the Dominican Republic and the rest of the Caribbean to its list of export destinations.
In March, the Costa Rican company began exporting its canned chicken to Nicaragua, El Salvador and Barbados.
"Conservas Fincas de Oro has broadened the range of countries it exports to and now sends its 'Quickie’s' brand canned chicken to Dominican Republic and the rest of the Caribbean," reports Elfinancierocr.com.
Ya Está, a Guatemalan producer of fruit and vegetable conserves, is going to cross the Atlantic to Barcelona, where it will open an office in January.
Francisco Menéndez Chiú, chief executive of Ya Está, said the company had chosen Barcelona because of its importance as a port, while the city itself offers a promising market because of its love of conserves.