Between 2019 and 2020, it is estimated that ice cream sales in the country increased by 6%, with supermarkets, discount stores and convenience stores being the main marketing points, as 7 out of every 10 units are sold in these establishments.
In recent years, ice cream consumption in the Guatemalan market has increased considerably, since between 2019 and 2020 sales increased by $8 million, going from $128 million to $136 million, according to Euromonitor estimates.
In the last quarter of 2020 and in January 2021 in Panama, Honduras and El Salvador interest in fast food reported a clear rebound, contrary to the situation in Guatemala, Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic, markets where Internet searches decreased.
Through a system that monitors in real time changes in consumer interests and preferences in Central American countries, developed by CentralAmericaData, it is possible to project short and long term demand trends for the different products, services, sectors and markets operating in the region.
In the first six months of 2020, Central American countries bought $56 million in soups and their preparations, 14% more than what was reported in the same period of 2019, a rise that is explained by the behavior of Salvadoran, Nicaraguan, Honduran and Guatemalan imports.
Data from the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with the graph"]
The Social Assistance Plan of the Presidency tenders the supply of different types of raw food to be used in the institution's canteen, for a 12-month term.
The increase in the international prices of corn and soybeans, inputs used to produce animal feed, threatens to put upward pressure on the production costs of meat, eggs and dairy products.
In recent months, the international price of a bushel (27 kilos) of soybeans increased by 28%, from $10.6 to $13.62, between November 1, 2020 and January 28, 2021.
In the new commercial reality in which customers value food free of any virus or bacteria, producers and international distribution chains are forced to reinforce their safety systems to reduce the risk of selling contaminated products.
Months ago, it was reported that in China, processed and frozen meat products arriving from abroad were detected with the presence of the coronavirus. Although there is no conclusive evidence that the virus affects humans when consuming infected food, there is mistrust among people.
In the first half of 2020, Central America spent $206 million on rice imports, 50% more than in the same period in 2019, with Honduras, Panama, El Salvador and Guatemala being the markets that boosted the increase in purchases.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with graphic"]
Due to the high geographic concentration of global production, Central America has increased its imports, but at the same time has become more vulnerable to crop losses, rising international prices and possible disruptions in supply chains.
The importance of the market for this type of food is that rice, wheat, corn, beans and soybeans are basic foods on which the world's population largely depends, since it is estimated that almost half of the calories consumed by people come from these foods.
Because yellow corn is imported from the United States at a price of $11 per quintal in Nicaragua and the cost of producing a quintal of sorghum locally is $12.5, competition for local producers is nearly impossible.
Nicaragua is part of the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement, an agreement that allows yellow corn from the United States to enter the local market free of tariffs.
In the current context of pandemic and changing habits, consumers are beginning to prefer fresh foods over packaged or processed foods, driven by the search for health and immune system benefits.
The covid-19 outbreak led to changes in people's behavior and significant changes in consumption habits, which are reflected in the food product market.
Personalized food, health and well-being, sustainability, zero waste and taste and indulgence are the five macro trends that impact the food sector in this new commercial reality.
The pandemic resulting from the outbreak of covid-19 has essentially served as a driving force behind most of the trends that had been developing before the crisis, only slowing down those linked to sensory experiences, concerns about the use of plastic in packaging and preferences for imported options, since the context has stimulated the consumption of brands and alternatives of local origin, according to an analysis by the Costa Rican Foreign Trade Promotion Agency (Procomer).
From January to July 2020, companies in the countries of the region imported from Mexico infant and toddler formulas for $57 million, and 50% was purchased by companies in Honduras and Nicaragua.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with graphic"]
The Ministry of Public Security of Panama has put out to tender the supply of dry food for the public security agencies, Senan, Senafront, Immigration, National Police and other agencies, for a period of 12 months.
In September, price increases were more pronounced for vegetable oils and cereals, and for dairy products prices remained stable, while sugar and meat prices fell from their August levels.
The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reported that in September 2020 the food price index averaged 97.9 points, i.e., 2% more than in August and already 4.6% above its value a year ago.
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...
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