In Costa Rica, of the total number of exporters whose majority of shipments are in the metal-mechanics, electrical and electronics or plastics sectors, 25% meet a profile of potential participation in global value chains.
An analysis prepared by the Foreign Trade Promotion Agency of Costa Rica (Procomer) explains that "... the 3 sectors agree in selling their products to at least 6 main GVCs: construction (25% of companies), agriculture (23%) trade (20%), food (11%), electronic components and telecommunications (10%) and medical industry (9%)."
From January to September 2020, imports for plastic and its manufactures totaled $2,681 million, 13% less than what was reported in the same period of 2019, a drop that was reported in the context of the economic and sanitary crisis caused by the Covid-19 outbreak.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with the graph"]
After in May 2020, in the context of the pandemic caused by covid-19, Central American imports of oiling fell to a historic low of $242 million, in the following months an incipient recovery was evidenced.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with the graphic"].
During the first nine months of 2020, companies in Central American countries imported insecticides, herbicides and fungicides for $617 million, 30% more than what was reported in the same period of 2019, a rise that is explained by the behavior of purchases from all markets in the region.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with the graph"]
In the first six months of 2020, trade of paints and varnishes between Central American countries amounted to $43 million, an amount that is 30% lower than that recorded in the same period of 2019.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with the graphic"]
Between January and June 2020, Central America allocated $448 million to fertilizer imports, 2% more than the same period in 2019. Nicaragua, Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador were the markets that explained the increase in regional purchases.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with graphic"]
Following the reactivation of China's economy in mid-2020, the Asian giant has monopolized a good part of the raw materials demanded by industry, a situation that is pushing up costs and generating uncertainty among Central American businessmen.
Due to the pandemic generated by the covid-19 outbreak, production in China was considerably interrupted during the first semester of 2020. But, after it reactivated its economic activity, the Asian country began to hoard raw materials that are used in the plastic industry.
From January to June 2020, Central American countries imported $169 million in plastic pipe and accessories, and purchases from German companies increased by 64%, when compared to the same period in 2019.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Area of CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with graphic"]
Vacuum packaging, films for use in agricultural production and resin for mass consumption were some of the products that increased their sales in the Guatemalan market during the pandemic.
As a result of the pandemic that generated the spread of covid-19, during 2020 there were changes in consumption patterns, a phenomenon that forced the plastics industry to adapt to the new reality.
From January to June 2020, companies in the region imported $2.82 billion worth of oil, 45% less than in the same period in 2019, a drop reported in the context of the health and economic crisis caused by the covid-19 outbreak.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with graph"]
In the first seven months of 2020, companies in the countries of the region imported fertilizers from Mexico for $27 million, 14% less than what was reported for the same period in 2019, a decrease that can be explained by the decrease in purchases by Guatemalan and Costa Rican companies.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with graph"]
From January to March of this year, Central American countries imported $96 million in plastic pipe and accessories, and purchases from U.S. companies increased by 3%, when compared to the same period in 2019.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Area of CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with graphic"]
Although the sector keeps its operations alive thanks to the packaging they produce for the food and cleaning industry, there is uncertainty among entrepreneurs as the demand for bags, brushes, tableware, furniture and other products has contracted.
As a result of the home quarantines that were decreed in the countries of the region in March 2020 due to covid-19, the outlook for the plastics industry fluctuates between optimism and uncertainty in market behavior.
Between January and March 2020, Central America allocated $169 million to fertilizer imports, 10% less than in the same period in 2018, with Costa Rica, El Salvador and Guatemala being the markets that registered the most significant reductions.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with graph"]
From January to March 2020, companies in the region bought oil abroad for $2.009 billion, 14% less than in the same period in 2019, due to the drop in imports in all Central American markets.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Area of CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with graphic"]
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