By 2021, toilet paper imports increased slightly by 6% to reach $280 million, with Costa Rica being the main importer in the Central American region with $69 million, the main supplier to Central America was El Salvador with $170 million.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with the graphic"]
By 2021, a recovery of the paper and cardboard sector is observed, reaching $2,471 million, equivalent to 1,942,360 tons, with the main supplier being the United States of America market with $837 million.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with the graphic"]
During the third quarter of 2021, purchases made by Central America increased by almost 50% to $136 million, with Guatemala being the largest supplier with $38 million in sales to the region.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with the graphic"]
During the first quarter of 2021, a progressive drop was reflected during the last three years, reaching $491 million in paper and cardboard purchases.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with the graphic"]
Understanding mobility and identifying points of interest help large retail office products suppliers to measure foot traffic in and out of their stores and to better comprehend the behavioral patterns of consumers.
The correlation between foot traffic, visits, sales, and the success of retail office products suppliers has been studied and proven, so the development of this type of analysis has become a priority in the site selection process and expansion modeling.
During 2020, paper and cardboard imports of Central American companies amounted to $1,931 million, and purchases from Chilean companies increased 5% compared to what was reported in 2019.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with the graph"]
From January to September 2020 Central America allocated $92 million to the import of paper or corrugated cardboard boxes, and purchases from Mexico increased 125% over what was reported in the same period of 2019.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with the graph"]
From January to September 2020, Central American toilet paper imports amounted to $202 million, an amount that is 6% lower than what was reported in the same period of 2019.
Figures from CentralAmericaData's Trade Intelligence department: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with the graph"]
Kimberly-Clark is investing in the purchase of machinery with new technology and the refurbishment of its toilet paper and napkin production plant, which operates in the municipality of San Juan Opico, El Salvador.
The investment will focus on renovating the 13,164-square-meter operating facility. With this investment, the company expects to increase the production capacity of its Scott and Kleenex lines by 30%.
Between January and June 2020, paper and cardboard imports in Central America totaled $1,019 million, 10% less than in the same period of 2019, with Honduras and El Salvador being the markets that registered the most significant reductions.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with the graphic"]
In the first semester of 2020, Central American companies destined $62 million to the purchase of paper or corrugated cardboard boxes, 6% less than what was registered in the same period of 2019.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with the graphic"]
Reduced consumption of diapers and the drop in demand for toilet paper and paper towels used in restaurants, offices and hotels are some of the transformations faced by companies in the sector in this new commercial reality.
Because of the covid-19 outbreak, Central American families have been staying home longer than usual. This change in people's behavior led to a drop in the sale of baby diapers, according to businessmen in the sector.
From January to July 2020, Central American companies imported $62 million in paper and cardboard from Mexico, 28% less than in the same period in 2019, a decrease that can be explained by the drop in purchases in all markets in the region.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with graphic"]
Between January and March 2020, paper and cardboard imports in Central America totaled $528 million, 9% less than in the same period in 2019, with Guatemala and Honduras being the markets that registered the most significant reductions.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with graphic"]
From January to April 2020, Central American companies imported $39 million in paper and cardboard from Mexico, and 55% of the total was purchased by companies in Guatemala and Costa Rica.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with graphic"]