Guatemalan producers estimate that for the 2018-2019 harvest production will reach 752,575 metric tons of sugar, a volume that would be slightly higher than that recorded in the 2017-2018 cycle.
The Asociación de Azucareros de Guatemala (Asazgua) projects a slightly higher growth than the previous year because of climate factors, which will be confirmed when they have the final figures for closing production.
Despite Nicaragua's political and economic crisis, tobacco exports in 2018 totaled $222 million, 10% more than in 2017.
Statistics from the Central Bank of Nicaragua (BCN) show that between 2017 and 2018 sales abroad under the free trade zone regime increased by $20 million, from $202 million to $222 million.
In the first nine months of 2018, countries in the region bought $73 million in soups and their preparations, and imports from companies in El Salvador and Nicaragua represented 42% of the total.
Data from the Trade Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with graphics]
Climatic and market conditions would be the reasons behind the drop in foreign sales expected for this year by exporters of bananas and pineapples in Costa Rica.
The drought in the Caribbean region, together with the attack of a bacterium on the plantations, will cause a year-on-year drop of at least 15% in banana production in 2019, according to business leaders.
Between 2017 and 2018, exports of milk and milk products fell 8%, and producers expect the downward trend to continue this year, because of the negative impact of the tax reform.
Figures from the Central Bank of Nicaragua show that between 2017 and 2018 exports of milk and milk products fell from $184 million to $167 million, and the volume traded fell from 85 million kilograms to 63 million kilograms.
After the Chilean authorities completed the admissibility process, Guatemalan producers began exporting fresh mango to the South American country.
Two years after the signing of the work plan between Guatemalan and Chilean authorities for the export of fresh mango with hydrothermal treatment from Guatemala, exporters celebrate the first shipment, reported the Guatemalan Exporters Association (Agexport).
Local producers in partnership with Nestlé are working on the installation of seven new grade C milk cooling centers, to be in the central provinces and Chiriqui.
The first of the centers, which plans to collect 2,500 liters of milk per day, was installed in El Cañafístulo, in Los Santos. It was also reported that in the coming weeks will begin operations another site in the same province, but this will be in Pedasi.
Developing strategic crops to ensure food security and bringing together agricultural agents to focus on foreign market niches is part of the challenge for the coming years.
One of the great challenges faced by businessmen in Panama is to take advantage of the country's logistical opportunities to position the Panamanian economy as an agro-exporter and also as a re-exporter of food.
Reducing income tax for coffee growers from 7% to 5% is one of the most outstanding elements of the decree approved by the Guatemalan Congress.
During the session of April 3, 2019, the Plenary of Congress approved Decree 4-2019, Law for the Economic Reactivation of Coffee that extends until October 23, 2051 the trust of the sector, informed the Legislative by means of a statement.
In the third month of the year, the FAO food price index fell 4% from March 2018, explained by the decline in the prices of meat, cereals, vegetable oils and sugar.
From FAO's monthly report:
» The FAO Food Price Index* (FFPI) held steady in March 2019, averaging 167 points and still hovering around its highest value since August 2018.
From April 16 to 17, Costa Rican businessmen will participate in the "Polaris" fair, which will take place in the city of Athens, Greece, where they will have business meetings with 100 European buyers of frozen fruit.
With the aim of seeking new market niches, 50 Costa Rican producers will participate in meetings with businessmen from Europe, was reported in a statement.
In the first nine months of 2018, countries in the region imported animal feed preparations worth $383 million, 15% more than in the same period in 2017.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with the graphic"]
In Panama, the processing plant Union Livestock received the endorsement to market beef in the Asian country, and it is expected that the first containers will be shipped in late April.
At the end of last year, it was reported that the meat product plants that received the endorsement by the General Administration of Customs of China to start selling their products to the Asian giant were Matadero de Chiriquí, S.A. (Machisa), Unión Ganadera, S.A. (Ungasa) and Macello.
Changes in product labeling and greater regulation in the licensing process are some of the provisions approved by the National Assembly of Panama.
Cigarette packages marketed in the country must comply with simple packaging, brand name, health warnings and other characteristics, are some of the approved changes.
In 2018, Guatemala sold abroad 18 tons of mango, equivalent to $10 million, and by 2019 businessmen expect to achieve an increase of between 10% and 15%.
According to producer data, the main destinations for Guatemalan fresh mango exports are the U.S., Canada, Europe and Chile, but they expect the increase in sales to result from greater demand from the European and Canadian markets.
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