The second quarter of 2021 shows an increase in fertilizer imports in the Central American region in monetary values, representing $521 million in purchases in this market, mainly from China.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with the graphic"]
In the first quarter there was a decrease in purchases from the Central American region of 8% in imported value, however, Russia remained the largest supplier with 21% of sales.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with the graphic"]
Last year, Central America assigned $784 million to fertilizer imports, 4% more than in 2019, with Nicaragua, Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador being the markets that accounted for the increase in regional purchases.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="fertilizer"].
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).
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"]
In the first six months of 2019, fertilizer imports from countries in the region totaled $439 million, and purchases from Russian companies grew 29% over the same period in 2018.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with the graphic"]
Subscriptions: Regional Purchases up to March 2019
In the first three months of 2019, fertilizer purchases by countries in the region totaled $189 million, 7% more than reported imports in the same period in 2018.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAPHIC caption="Click to interact with graphic"]
español
7288
