Melons imported from Guatemala carry a HarvestMark seal which allows consumers to check on the web their origin and cultivation history.
A statement from the Trade Office of Costa Rica reads:
The import company SunAmerica has added a HarvestMark seal to melons supplied by Guatemalan farmers. These are the first Central American melons to use a leading global traceability system, which consist of a label on the product which has a code that the consumer can enter in the HarvestMark website and find out, through videos and photos, on which farm the melon was grown, the farmer who grew it and the whole story behind the product.
An increase of 12% in 2012, signals a growing trend by U.S. consumers for smoked flavoured foods.
From an article by the Costa Rican Trade Promotion Office (PROCOMER):
According to the research company Nielsen Perishables Group, consumption of smoked seafood products in the U.S. recorded an increase of 12% in 2012, which reflects a growing trend among American consumers for choosing types of savoury food and cocktails with a smoky flavor, which is reflected by the increase in sales of these products in the supermarkets and wholesalers.
Supermarket or "own brands" with lower prices have started to gain ground in the market for organic and healthy food products among US consumers.
From a statement issued by the Costa Rican Foreign Trade Promotion Office (PROCOMER):
Own brands of organic and natural products are gaining ground in the US
The emergence of brands such as Kroger's Simple Truth, Wild Harvest by Supervalu and Simply Nature by Aldi for organic and natural products are a clear example of how own brands are evolving, as both producers and retailers aim to satisfy consumer demand which is increasingly more concerned about wellbeing and nutrition with more healthy options at a good price, leading many supermarkets to create their own brands focusing on a balanced diet.
Supermarket chains are increasing their supply of health care and wellness products, especially those that are natural or organic.
From a statement issued by the Foreign Trade Promotion Office of Costa Rica:
Panama, unlike other Latin American countries, is a net importer of food products, within this category, supermarkets have specifically increased their supply of products geared towards health and wellness of Panamanians.
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