Increasing demand, new competitors of all kinds and the manufacture of uncertified products are some of the changes that this business is bringing to the pandemic scenario in Costa Rica.
According to CentralAmericaData reports, in Costa Rica since January 5, 2020 the interactions on the Internet associated with cleaning products show a clear upturn.
The Central American dairy sector is currently facing the problem of marketing imitations and substitutes for its products, despite the fact that the region has a Technical Regulation in this area.
According to the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), a study conducted in 2016 by Canadean Wisdom estimated a 1.6% increase in animal milk consumption in Latin America and a 2.8% increase in the consumption of substitutes, hence the importance of regulating and ensuring the correct use of dairy terms in the region.
In Costa Rica, a bill is in progress that contemplates eliminating fines for the first member of a cartel that recognizes and denounces to the authorities that has engaged in monopolistic practices.
As part of the bills for Costa Rica's entry into the OECD, deputies voted in second debate file No. 21.303, Law strengthening the competition authorities of Costa Rica, reported last August 29 the Legislative Assembly.
The Ministry of Economy found that Costa Rican Dos Pinos had dumped, but ruled out sanctions, arguing that no damage was caused to sales or local production.
The investigation process was carried out by the Ministry of Economy of El Salvador, derived from the complaint filed in 2017 by the Salvadoran Cooperativa Ganadera de Sonsonate, de RL de CV against the Costa Rican Cooperativa de Productores de Leche Dos Pinos and the local distributor Comersal.
Arguing that dumping practices exist by China and are not competing on an equal basis, businessmen from the sector in Guatemala request the intervention of the authorities.
Through a statement from the Chamber of Industry of Guatemala (CIG), explained that in recent years, China, through its improper business practices including dumping and subsidized prices, has affected local production.
Arguing that in Guatemala, milk from other countries in the region is being traded at a lower price than that sold in the countries of origin, producers in the country announce that they will submit a complaint.
The Representatives of the Chamber of Milk Producers of Guatemala announced that the complaint they are preparing will be filed with the Ministry of Economy, through the Directorate of Foreign Trade Administration (DACE).
In Costa Rica companies who are behind in the payment of contributions to the Social Security Department, may have been participating in public tenders, something specifically forbidden.
The Constitutive Act of the Costa Rican Social Security Department states that any individual or legal entity can not participate in tenders if they are not up to date with their obligations, "...
Costa Rican dairy farmers have denounced the fact that in the region regulations are not met nor are specifications on labeling and product features.
The Chamber of Milk Producers (CPL by its initials in Spanish) argues that there are companies in the region that are replacing animal protein with plant protein, or decreasing the percentage of fat in exchange for lowering the price of the product, which is not in compliance with the requirements and standards set out in the Central American technical regulations.
According to beekeepers, climate change, a possible new pest already present in Nicaragua and unfair competition are the factors affecting the sector's performance.
In 2013 a 7.8% increase was reported in the number of kilos produced compared to the year 2012. However, industry members say that for the next harvest they expect a decline in production levels due to the negative effects of climate change and other factors.
Entrepreneurs in the printing industry are complaining about a bill being studied by the Assembly that would allow the state printer to provide services to third parties generating unfair competition in the sector.
The Bill to Strengthen the National Press being studied by the Standing Committee on Government and Administration would allow the institution to become "...
Under discussion in the Salvadoran Congress is the application of equal fiscal controls and management for private companies and those made up of mixed capital.
Public-private companies should be subject to the same controls and audits as those consisting of 100% private capital, because lack of transparency in controls of some of them and excess controls in others affects competitiveness and economic development.
American Airlines has withdrawn its supply to Despegar.com accusing the company of using a wholesale pricing policy which is unfair and inaccurate.
The airline has withdrawn sale of its flights by Despegar.com and from websites developed by Despegar.com, including all sites worldwide such as Decolar.com.
Now customers can purchase airline tickets at aa.com at no additional charge.
The Government is standing firm in its position to eliminate state fixing of the price of rice and aims to organize the cooperative sector.
According to Mayi Antillon, chief of Economy, Industry and Trade from March 2014 the price of rice will be unfixed in order to benefit small farmers and reduce the price for consumers.
"It is not possible to debate maintaining fixation which does not benefit small producers," Antillon said, adding that these people do not receive their money at the moment of selling their harvest to large companies.
The Tax Justice Network of Central America is proposing the elimination or reduction of these incentives, which are equivalent to 4%-6% of the region's GDP.
According to the director of the Social Forum on External Debt and Development of Honduras (Fosdeh), Maurice Bourdet, a member of the Tax Justice Network of Central America (RCJF), governments in the region "are thinking about how to carry on being tax havens, which does nothing to help reduce inequalities. "