Between August 2019 and December 2020, there was evidence of an upward trend in the average price of Central American frozen fruit exports, as it increased from $1.04 to $1.45 per kilo.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with the graphic"].
Despite the complications that affected international trade due to the covid-19 outbreak, in Costa Rica in 2020, imports of grapes and oranges increased, a rise that is explained by the preference of consumers for fruits containing vitamin C.
The Foreign Trade Report of the Agricultural Sector 2019-2020, prepared by the Executive Secretariat of Agricultural Sector Planning (SEPSA), details that last year imports of fresh oranges in the country amounted to $14.8 million, 38% more than what was reported in 2019.
Since Chile and Peru do not ship the product at the beginning of each year and that in the highlands of the country there are suitable areas to harvest the fruit, it is possible to take advantage of the commercial opportunities that exist in the foreign market.
Specialists agree that in order to increase the production of this fruit, producers must become more technified, access to credit must be facilitated and marketing policies must be implemented.
Berries, cherries and citrus fruits, fruits that due to their vitamin C content are generally associated with positive effects on the immune system, reported increases in sales in the US and European markets during March, April and May 2020.
In this context of new consumption habits, which emerged worldwide due to the outbreak of covid-19, banana sales (due to its high potassium content and its contributions to health) have been extremely positive.
The supply of processed fruits and vegetables by Chilean companies is largely complemented by inputs from other countries, with berries, apples, kiwis, peaches and uncooked vegetables being some of the most demanded products.
During 2019, Chilean imports of fruits and vegetables amounted to Ch$200 million, 54% preserved and 22% frozen, 19% juices and 6% purées and jellies, explains a study by the Chilean Foreign Trade Promotion Agency (Procomer).
Because the Asian giant is the world's largest buyer of fresh fruit and people are willing to consume new and tropical foods, the region's pineapple producers have the opportunity to increase their business with the Chinese market.
According to a study conducted by the Foreign Trade Promoter (Procomer), China remains one of the largest producers of fruit in the world, but quality remains a problem, so they are interested in imported fruit, added to consumers looking for better quality products as part of the search for a healthier lifestyle.
The drop in international prices and the climate difficulties were the main reasons for the 5% reduction in the value exported from Costa Rica last year compared to 2018.
Data from the Foreign Trade Promotion Agency (Procomer) show that between 2018 and 2019, exports of the fruit decreased from $983 million to $930 million, which is equivalent to a negative variation of 5%.
Salvadoran authorities have determined that the disease attacking citrus plantations, called Huanglongbing, could be present in crops in Santa Ana, Ahuachapán, La Libertad and La Paz.
After the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAG) declared a state of phytosanitary emergency on February 19, it was reported that the disease specifically attacks lemons, oranges, tangerines, grapefruits and limes, in addition to the ornamental plant Murraya paniculata, commonly known as myrtle or jasmine.
Encouraging production and raising the quality standards of the fruit are some of the challenges that Guatemala faces in order to take advantage of the multiple opportunities that exist in the international market.
It is estimated that worldwide the demand for avocado grows at a 10% annual rate and in its best season the fruit is quoted in Asian and European markets up to $1.75 per unit.
The local authorities declared a state of phytosanitary emergency because of the detection of Huanglongbing, a disease that attacks citrus plantations.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAG) reported that the disease specifically attacks lemons, oranges, tangerines, grapefruits and limes, in addition to the ornamental plant Murraya paniculata, commonly known as myrtle or jasmine.
In recent years the downward trend in the average price of regional frozen fruit exports has not been reversed, as between June 2016 and September 2019 it fell from $1.60 to $1.14 per kilo.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with graphics"]
In the first six months of 2019, Central American countries exported pineapple for $525 million, and sales to companies in the United Kingdom grew by 5% over the same period in 2018.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with graphics"]
In the first three months of 2019, Central American countries exported $251 million worth of pineapple, and sales to Spanish companies increased 12% over the same period in 2018.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with graphic"]
The first container of Panamanian pineapple left on October 1 to Beijing, China, and is expected that in the coming months shipments will be 12.5 containers per week.
The head of Agribusiness of the Ministry of Agricultural Development (MIDA), Tomás Solís, said that the company Ananas Trading Inc. Panama will increase fruit exports from 12.5 to 25 containers per week in 2020, explains an official statement.
In recent years, the downward trend in the average price of regional frozen fruit exports has not been reversed, since between June 2016 and March 2019 it fell from $1.60 to $1.19 per kilo.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData: [GRAPHIC caption="Click to interact with graphic"]