As a result of a decline in demand from some trading partners, Guatemalan exports of processed food and beverages decreased by 10% during the first quarter of the year compared to the same period in 2018.
Figures from the Bank of Guatemala report that from January to March 2019, Guatemalan exports of processed food and beverages totaled $292 million, 10% less than the amount reported in the same period of 2018.
Last year countries in the region bought $103 million worth of soups and their preparations, and 61% were imported by companies in Honduras, El Salvador and Nicaragua.
Figures from the information system on the Market for Soups and Soup Preparations in Central America, compiled by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption = "Click to interact with graph"]
Last year Central America imported $316 million worth of sauces and preparations, the highest value in the last six years, registering an increase of 9% compared to 2016.
Figures from the information system on the Market for Sauces and Preparations in Central America, compiled by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption = "Click to interact with graph"]
From January to September 2017, El Salvador bought $21 million worth of processed meat from abroad, 7% more than what was purchased during the same period in 2016.
Figures from the information system of the Processed Meat Market in Central America, compiled by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption = "Click to interact with graph"]
From January to September 2017, countries in the region imported $79 million worth of sausages, 6% more than was purchased in the same period in 2016.
Figures from the information system on the Sausage Market in Central America, compiled by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption = "Click to interact with graph"]
Truck robberies, high energy prices, excessive bureaucracy and the informal sector all took their toll on the growth of the Costa Rican food and beverage industry in 2017.
The Monthly Index of Manufacturing Activity of the food and beverages industry showed a slowdown in the domestic market and a negative average growth of -0.07% in the first nine months of the year.
In 2016 countries in the region bought $103 million worth of soups and their preparations, and 44% of the total came from the USA and Mexico.
Figures from the Information System on the Market for Soups and Preparations in CentralAmerica compiled by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption = "Click to interact with the graphic"]