In the first nine months of 2019, Central American countries spent $352 million on imports of bakery, pastry and cookie products, and purchases from companies in the U.S. grew 4% over the same period in 2018.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with graphics"]
In the first quarter of the year, Honduras imported $24 million worth of baked goods, confectionery and biscuit products, and purchases made from companies in El Salvador grew by 11% compared to the same period in 2017.
Figures from the information system on the Market for Baked Goods, Pastry and Biscuit Products in Honduras, compiled by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption = "Click to interact with graph"]
From this year these three products will be traded duty-free under the DR-CAFTA agreement.
The tariff reduction process that started with the entry into force of the free trade agreement with the United States and Central America has now reached completion for rum, flour and fats exported from Guatemala.
A recent update of a Sieca regulation is causing confusion because of the inclusion of potassium bromate as a permitted additive.
This topic has been discussed by delegates from the Central American Ministries of Economy, Trade and Health, who have participated in review meetings of the Central American Regulations of the Member States of the Secretariat of Central American Economic Integration (SIEC).
According to an article in Prensalibre.com the Agriculture Minister Efrain Medina said that "as part of a pilot scheme running in five departments, and depending on the results and acceptance in regions where the fortified flour is distributed, investigations will be carried out into whether it [cornmeal] is feasible for being subject to this legislation, to force, through specific regulations of this law, those who distribute fortified flour in the country, to have to fortify it by law. The costs are not very high and are quite affordable relative to the impact it may have as a suitable food supplement ".
The Honduran Council of Private Enterprise says that reform of the Law on Income Tax is unconstitutional because it is confiscatory.
An article in Elheraldo.hn reports that "The Honduran Council of Private Enterprise (COHEP) argues that legislative approval of the Evasion Measures Act to income tax is unconstitutional, confiscatory and violates a judgment of the Supreme Court dated February 1, 2012. "
The company Terminal de Granos del Pacífico has increased the capacity of its warehouses to store 14,000 more tons of flour and grains.
The company Pacific Grain Terminal (Terpac) now has larger warehouses in Puerto Quetzal, Escuintla, Guatemala, which provides a greater capacity for receiving and handling imported flours and grains.
Even with the high raw material prices hitting Central America, the Gruma Group continues to consolidate its presence and expects to invest some $20 million in 2009.
Roberto Gonzalez, director general of Gruma Central America, confirmed that the Group has huge expectations for growth.
What were Gruma Group's earnings last year?
Gruma Central America has operations in the region from Guatemala up to Costa Rica and also has plants and exports to other countries in the Caribbean and Panama. 2007 was an excellent year for business, growth was at 55%.
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...