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"]
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"]
Because in this context of new commercial reality the sales of alcohol, fertilizers, soaps, detergents and chemical and pharmaceutical products have increased, the productive activity of the Central American industrial sector has been dynamized.
According to figures from the Bank of Guatemala, during the III Quarter of 2020 the Guatemalan Gross Domestic Product reported -2% year-on-year variation, a behavior that contrasts with the evolution of the manufacturing industry, which for the period in question registered a 3% increase in its production.
Because Mexico is the third largest Latin American country in terms of area devoted to organic agricultural production, there are multiple opportunities to market inputs for this sector.
In terms of the number of hectares planted with organic crops, Michoacan, Chiapas and Oaxaca are the states that have 68% of the total planted nationally, according to an analysis prepared by Costa Rica's Foreign Trade Promotion Agency (Procomer).
Because of the rains generated in Central American countries by Hurricane Eta, authorities warn that coffee plantations could be threatened by the spread of pests or diseases.
Due to the possible change in the regulations established by the European Union on the use of agrochemicals in the production of the fruit that enters their territory, exporters in the region are on the alert for the possible complications that this would generate in the commercialization.
In order to protect the health of consumers, European authorities could vary the maximum residue limits (MRL's) that food entering the region may contain.
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"]
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"]
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).
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"]
Between January and September 2019, Central America allocated $639 million to fertilizer imports, 7% less than in the same period in 2018, with Honduras and Guatemala being the markets that recorded the most significant reductions.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with graphics"]
Because fertilizers became more expensive due to the tax reform implemented last year, for the 2019-2020 agricultural cycle the volume demanded in the country fell by approximately 220,000 quintals.
Distributors in the country estimate that with the Tax Concentration Law approved at the end of February 2019, fertilizer prices increased up to 17% and agrochemicals between 20% and 30%.
From January to November 2019, companies in the countries of the region imported $35 million in fertilizers from Mexico, and 83% were bought by Guatemalan companies.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with graphics"]
For agricultural producers, the use of precision biotechnology in Guatemala requires a specialized committee so that the authorities' decisions are based on technical and scientific evidence, and not under the influence of political or ideological interests.
Guatemala already has regulations in this area, since on October 1, 2019, the regulatory framework signed by the Ministry of Economy with its counterparts in El Salvador and Honduras came into effect.
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...
español
3585