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"]
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"]
From January to April 2020, Central American companies imported $151 million in plastic and its manufactures from Mexico, and 60% of the total was purchased by companies in Guatemala and El Salvador.
Figures from Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with graphic"]
From January to April 2020, Central American companies imported $11 million in plastic pipe and fittings from Mexico, and 69% of the total was purchased by companies in Guatemala and Costa Rica.
Figures from Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with graphic"]
Because the Ecuadorian market is highly dependent on imports and its local industry is incipient, there are opportunities for bulk exports and packaging in the South American country.
To enter the market, products can be sold to distribution companies, whether these register the products themselves under their own brand, import in bulk/concentrate, repackage and distribute, or do so under the manufacturer's brand and import and distribute ready-to-retail products (this can be on an exclusive basis), explains a study by the Foreign Trade Promotion Agency (Procomer).
Based on data inferred from the digital behavior of consumers, it is estimated that in the countries of the region more than 120 thousand people show interest in lubricants, and most of them are between 19 and 35 years old.
A study of the interests and preferences of consumers in Central America, prepared by the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData, gives interesting results on the preferences and tastes of people in various products, services and activities.
Basf de Costa Rica S.A., Sun Chemical S.A. and Ultra-Chem de Centroamérica S.A., are part of the companies participating in the nylon import business in Central America.
The market study "Nylon market study in Central America", prepared by the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData, details the main figures of the nylon import business.
From January to March 2020, companies in the countries of the region imported from Mexico fertilizers for $19 million, an amount that exceeds in 722% the reported in the same period of 2019.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with graphic"]
Operating Company dedicated to the manufacture of gluten-free and sugar-free products, OHNE brand. The OHNE brand has 8 product lines: square bread, sweet...