Individual packages and innovation in packaging are part of the strategies used by the food industry in Latin America to improve the positioning of healthy packaged products.
From a statement issued by the Costa Rican Foreign Trade Promotion Office (Procomer):
The Latin American region has shown a preference for choosing healthier options of packaged foods.
When purchasing packaged foods, German consumers show a preference for small or personal sized packages and those which are transparent or colorful.
From a statement issued by the Costa Rican Foreign Trade Promotion Office (Procomer):
In the German market the issue of packaging is extremely important. It is not only an indispensable element for protection of the product, showing information regarding the use and conservation of food and drinks, but it is also the image that catches consumer's eyes making it a differentiator between brands . Moreover, it is one of the main signals regarding product quality, especially when it comes to new products. Consequently, continuous innovation in packaging is essential in this market.
In Central and South America the use of this type of packaging grew by 50%, going from nearly 5 billion units in 2008 to 7 billion in 2013.
From a statement issued by the Costa Rican Foreign Trade Promotion Office (PROCOMER):
The market for flexible packaging (such as those used in sauces and mayonnaise) in Central and South America has experienced rapid growth over the past five years, increasing by 50% in volume, going from nearly five billion units in 2008 to 7 billion in 2013, according to a recent report by PCI Films Consulting. The largest categories of individual final consumption were mayonnaise and tomato sauce (not ketchup), each having 16% and 23% of the volumes, respectively.
Changes in lifestyles and work schedules are driving between meal snacking of biscuits, cereals, milk and drinks in convenient and easy to use packaging.
From an article by the Costa Rican Foreign Trade Promotion Office (PROCOMER):
According to a study by Kantar Worlpanel Mexico, a market research company, with 8,500 households in major cities, the most important meal for the consumers of this country is breakfast as it is eaten every day by 98% of households, however, due to accelerated lifestyles it is very common that at least one member does not have time to consume it inside the house, so products have been developed which are practical, either because of their packaging or the product itself, so that people can easily consume it on the road, at work or school.
To enhance market access domestic coffee making machine manufacturers are associating themselves with single-dose infusions.
From an article by the Costa Rican Trade Promotion Office (PROCOMER):
The business of coffee capsules has shown continuous growth and leading brands have closed partnerships deals with manufacturers of coffee making machines in order to push for a larger share of the market.
Consumers prefer lightweight packaging that is imanageable and labeled with detailed information about the contents and forms of preparation and consumption.
From an article by the Costa Rican Trade Promotion Office (PROCOMER):
Convenience is the main feature that consumers look for in packaging. That is, it must be light, manageable, able to be opened and closed many times, have a label with information on the contents and their validity, with the ideal portions for the intended use, with a long shelf life and it must be able to be heated or finished preparing in situ, when it comes to food and obviously it must have minimal cost. For these reasons, packaging becomes critical in the selection of one product over another and this is where packaging suppliers can work hand in hand with manufacturers to be successful and stay in the market, thanks to a product-packaging alliance .