For the third quarter of 2021, imports of non-alcoholic beverages reached $412 million in the Central American region, the main supplier was Guatemalan companies with $100 million.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with the graphic"]
During 2020, imports of fruit and vegetable juices by companies in the region totaled $79 million, and purchases from Brazilian companies increased 45% over what was reported in 2019.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with the graph"]
After in August 2020, in the context of the pandemic caused by covid-19, regional imports of bottled water dropped to a historic low of $700 thousand, in the following months a recovery was evidenced and in December the figure rose to $2 million.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with the graphic"].
From January to September 2020, companies in the region bought fruit and vegetable juices abroad for $79 million, 17% less than in the same period of 2019, a drop that is explained by the decrease in imports from all Central American countries.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with the graph"]
From January to June 2020, bottled water imports in Central America totaled $12 million, and purchases from companies in Mexico increased 86% compared to the same period in 2019.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with the graph"]
In Guatemala, the Embotelladora Los Volcanes, which produces and distributes Coca-Cola brand beverages, is executing expansion works at its industrial plant located in the department of Retalhuleu, a project that required an investment of $60 million and is expected to be completed in April 2021.
The project began in March 2019; however, due to the covid-19 outbreak, work was suspended and it was only in the second half of 2020 that work was reactivated.
The industrial complex that began operating in October 2020 in the municipality of Villa Nueva, department of Guatemala, has an area of 43,500 square meters, an installed capacity of 12,000 pallets and required an investment of approximately $27 million.
The new logistics center has 29 dispatch doors and a system of product selection through automated voice command, informed the company dedicated to the commercialization of carbonated beverages and snacks.
Under the brand name of Topo Chico, Coca-Cola began to commercialize in the Costa Rican market a carbonated drink with alcohol, which belongs to the category known as "hard seltzer" or "spiked seltzer."
For now, the drink will be imported from Mexico, but Coca-Cola does not rule out producing it locally in the future.
In Costa Rica, Topo Chico Hard Seltzer will compete directly with "Adam & Eve", a product of the same category that is marketed since 2019 by Florida Ice, Farm & Co (Fifco).
Although public places have been closed for most of the year, in Central America for the quarantine period the demand for soft drinks, beer and snacks did not contract, as families increased consumption from their homes.
Soda, beer and snacks were no longer consumed in restaurants, movie theaters, stadiums and other similar spaces, but, due to the confinement measures decreed because of the covid-19 outbreak, demand shifted from public places to homes.
It is estimated that in Central America close to 17 million people show interest in the digital environment for carbonated beverages, with Dr Pepper, Coca-Cola, Fanta and Mineral Water being some of the terms most associated with consumers with high purchasing power.
An analysis of the interests and preferences of consumers in Central America, prepared by the Commercial Intelligence Area of CentralAmericaData, shows interesting results on the preferences and tastes of people in diverse foods, products, services, beverage brands and activities.
More than half of U.S. millennial consumers of Latino origin are attracted to Hispanic beverages, bread, tortillas, and ethnic prepared foods sold in supermarket chains.
Specialists in the field point out that nowadays Latino millennials are attracted to those supermarket chains that reflect their culture and that of their families.
As of October this year, the U.S. country will begin one of the phases of implementation of the new front labeling on food and non-alcoholic beverages, under the Labeling Law NOM-051 of the Ministry of Health.
One of the arguments that support the amendments to the Standard is the situation of health and welfare of citizens in the country. According to data from the National Health and Nutrition Survey (ENSANUT) 2018 (to date, the latest report released), 35.6% of children between 5 and 11 years old are overweight and obese. Meanwhile, children and young people between 12 and 19 years old report 38.4%, according to the Guatemalan Association of Exporters (Agexport).
According to the digital behavior of consumers, it is estimated that in the countries of the region more than 1.6 million people show interest in energy drinks, and most of them are between 19 and 35 years old.
A study of consumer interests and preferences in Central America, prepared by the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData, provides interesting results on people's preferences and tastes in various products, services and activities.
Once the Honduran economy begins to return to normal, as isolation and mobility restrictions are relaxed, it is estimated that household demand for flavored soft drinks will have decreased by 2%.
Through a demand/income sensitivity model developed by the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData, it is possible to project the variations that the demand of Honduran households for different goods and services will undergo as the most critical phases of the spread of covid-19 are overcome and the measures restricting mobility in the country are lifted.
Given the health crisis, the food and beverage sector would be partly affected by the drop in the production of soft drinks and alcoholic beverages and the decline in sales of fish and seafood preparations.
The "Information System for the Impact Analysis of Covid-19 on Business", prepared by the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData, measures the degree of impact that the crisis will have on companies, depending on the country, sector or economic activity, during the coming months.
Beverage Industry Digital Magazine established in 1942, the oldest Spanish trade journal and the only beverage trade magazine serving the Latin American beverage market. It serves soft drink bottlers, brewers, bottled water...
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