In 2016 Central America purchased 1.2 million tons of solid soybean waste, 10% more than in 2015, and the vast majority came from the US.
Figures from the Information System on the Solid Waste Soybean Oil Market in Central Area compiled by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with the graphic"]
On August 24th and 25th companies and public institutions will meet to discuss issues such as standards and quality management, as well as taking part in a business roundtables for the industrial sector.
From a statement issued by Agexport:
Guatemala April 20, 2016. -AGEXPORT-, Ministry of Economy, The Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, The Ministry of Finance, and Universidad del Valle, are some of the 18 public, private and academic institutions of the Organizing Committee of the XI Congress on Quality, which seeks to strengthen the culture of quality in Guatemala on issues of quality management, enabling agency and multi-sectoral work to productively contribute to growth and development.
The Food Sector Authority has announced new tariffs for technical, sanitary and phytosanitary services which will take effect on 1 April.
From a statement issued by the Panamanian Food Safety Authority:
City of Panama. After several meetings with different associations and the promulgation in the Official Newspaper La Gaceta regarding changes to fees for technical, sanitary and phytosanitary services, the Panamanian Authority for Food Safety (AUPSA), announces that these will become effective from 1 ° of April.
It will regulate the practices to be implemented in the product cycle from plant origin to the final destination and vice versa along the entire chain.
From a statement issued by the National Assembly of Panama:
The State is responsible for ensuring the safety of plant foods which are produced and consumed in the country, as established by Bill No.299, which created the Best Practices and Agricultural Traceability Program (BPTA by its initials in Spanish) approved in a third debate today by the full legislature.
Government authorities and producers are considering to establish a laboratory in the Panamanian province of Chiriqui to analyze the quality of milk produced in the area.
The proposal is being developed jointly by the Cooperative of Milk Producers of Chiriqui and agriculture authorities. The goal of milk producers is acquire the technology needed to analyze and improve production processes necessary to raise the final quality of the product.
A law passed by the Assembly has created the Panamanian Food Safety Authority, which will regulate the import of agricultural products.
From a statement issued by the National Assembly of Panama:
The Panamanian Food Safety Authority (AUPSA) is the body responsible for maintaining controls on food imports, and in coordination with the Ministry of Health, will carry out further controls on imported products available to consumers.
Supermarkets are one of the outlets where the most own brand labels can be found, and these products are gaining ground as consumers perception over their quality improve.
Currently in Panama 2% of supermarket sales correspond to own or private brand labels and 64% to cheaper brands, according to studies cited by Martesfinanciero.com.
The low penetration of these kinds of brands in the Panamanian market represents a growth opportunity, mainly because the perception that consumers have of such brands is changing, both regionally and globally.
The Food and Drug Administration has evaluated two varieties of apples and six potatoes which have been genetically modified and concluded that they are "as safe and nutritious as their conventional counterparts."
From a statement issued by the Food and Drug Administration of the United States (FDA):
The Food and Drug Administration of the United States (FDA) has completed its evaluation of two apple varieties which have been genetically engineered by Okanagan Specialty Fruits, Inc., and six potatoes genetically designed by JR Simplot Company and concluded that these foods are as safe and nutritious as their conventional counterparts.
In order to reverse poor performance in 2014 companies in the sector are trying to increase their sales in the Central American market, the main destination for exports.
For two years there has been a downward trend in exports in the food sector. In 2013 it reported $1.449 billion, while 2014 $1.441 billion was reported. In order to achieve increased sales mainly in Central America, the food industry's strategy is to develop products with higher added value.
Businessmen in Costa Rica will meet on March 17-18 to discuss issues related to the new buying habits of households and quality and safety standards.
From a statement issued by the Costa Rican Chamber of the Food Industry (CACIA):
Over 2,000 thousand owners, managers, executives and industry professionals from the food, drink and allied sectors will gather together to seek business opportunities with suppliers of raw materials, machinery, equipment and technologies.
Fruits and vegetables, followed by baby food, milk and soy milk are the organic products in demand.
From a statement issued by the Foreign Trade Promotion Office of Costa Rica (PROCOMER):
Given the continuing concern about food safety, consumers in Hong Kong are seeking safer and high quality options such as those that can be found in the organic sector, since they are perceived as being more natural and nutritious compared to conventional foods.
In the United States the importance of the price factor continues to decrease when it comes to choosing products and there is a growing tendency to buy food to improve "quality of life".
From a statement issued by the Costa Rica Foreign Trade Promotion Office (PROCOMER):
The perception of the American consumer about healthy food is changing, which could have an effect on the food industry, as companies seek to adapt in order to make greater gains in a very dynamic market, concluded an investigation by the consultancy AlixPartners.
On February 18 in Guatemala City a seminar will be heldon the BRC Global Standard for food industry.
From a statement issued by the Guatemalan Exporters Association (-AGEXPORT-):
The aim is to help companies and producers in the food industry achieve the highest levels of safety and quality according to the British Retail Consortium Global Standard (BRC).
A report by the Foreign Trade Promotion Offices says that healthy, gourmet and halal products top the list of foods most demanded by consumers in the country.
From a statement issued by the Foreign Trade Promotion Office (PROCOMER):
A dynamic economy and the high purchasing power of consumers in Singapore opens up opportunities for Costa Rican exporters sending products to this market and other Southeast Asian countries.
The Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources has presented a guide on the technical criteria for the design and construction of butchers and slaughterhouses and the management of wastewater and solid waste.
From a statement issued by the Ministry of Environment (MARN):
Slaughterhouses are the first link in the meat industry, because it is in them that meat for human consumption is obtained, therefore they need to operate using quality standards and all facilities must meet the requirements of proper operation, in order to ensure the health of the population and environmental protection.
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