españolHonduran Coffee: Sales Falls 14%Thursday, June 20, 2019 Because of a drop in the price of the grain, during the first eight months of the 2018-2019 harvest Honduran coffee sales abroad totaled $673 million, 14% less than what was reported in the same period of the 2017-2018 cycle. According to figures from the Honduran Coffee Institute (Ihcafe) between the first eight months of the 2017-2018 harvest, which runs from October 2017 to May 2018, and the same period of the 2018-2019 season, sales and exported volume decreased from $786 million to $673 million, and from 6.4 million to 6.3 million, respectively.
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Fertilizers: Purchases in 2018 up 6%Thursday, June 20, 2019 Last year, fertilizer purchases by countries in the region totaled $806 million, 6% more than what was reported in 2017, a rise explained by an increase in the average price of imports. Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with graphic"] Honduras: More Meat Bought Than SoldWednesday, June 19, 2019 Businessmen of the sector estimate that annually they export near $9 million in bovine meat, below the $10 million reported in imports. For the National Federation of Farmers and Cattlemen of Honduras (Fenagh) it is contradictory that the trade balance is unfavorable, since the annual production of meat is 60 thousand tons, and in spite of having surpluses it is resorted to the import. Convenience Stores: New Investment in GuatemalaTuesday, June 18, 2019 The Circle K chain of stores, originally from the United States, will open its first store on June 19, which will be in Zone 9 of the country's capital. Grupo Intur, a business firm that already operates the chain of stores in Honduras and Costa Rica, reported that it will be in charge of investments in Guatemala and that the first point of sale will be in Plaza Asadis, Boulevard Liberation.
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Optical Fiber Cables: Less Purchases in 2018Wednesday, June 19, 2019 In 2018, companies in Central American countries imported $60 million of fiber optic cables, 6% less than in 2017. Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with graphic"] Honduras Maintains Debt RatingTuesday, June 18, 2019 Moody's kept the rating of long-term issues and senior unsecured bonds at B1, arguing that there is a "solid fiscal framework that has stabilized debt at lower levels compared to its rated peers. Honduras' fiscal balance behaves favorably with respect to GDP and has been enough to stabilize overall government debt at around 41% of GDP, Moody's report explains. Central America: Customs Difficulties PersistWednesday, June 19, 2019 Because the implementation of the Central American Single Declaration continues to generate problems in customs in the region, the contingency plan for DUCA F and DUCA was extended until June 27. "If you use the Contingency Plan, we suggest that you make sure you arrive at the destination country with the DUCA F and DUCA T duly processed and the supporting documents," reported the Guatemalan Association of Exporters.
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Fridges: Imports fell 13% in 2018Tuesday, June 18, 2019 During 2018, companies in Central America imported $415 million in refrigerators and freezers, 13% less than reported in the previous year. Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with graphic"] Financial Intermediation Boosts Honduran EconomyMonday, June 17, 2019 As of April, economic activity in the country registered a 2.7% year-on-year increase, an increase mainly due to the behavior of financial intermediation. Financial Intermediation, Insurance and Pension Funds grew 6.9% during the fourth month of the year, a result caused by the positive behavior of Financial Intermediation (7.1%), sustained by the increase in interest received on the portfolio of loans and commissions on credits granted, as well as by the use of credit cards, explains the report of the Central Bank of Honduras.
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Bottled Water: More Business with U.S. in 2018Monday, June 17, 2019 During 2018, bottled water imports into the region totaled $24 million, and purchases from U.S. companies reached $13.3 million, 5% more than in 2017. Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with graphic"] Central America: Fuel Prices up to June 17Monday, June 17, 2019 Price per gallon of regular gasoline: Costa Rica $4.25, Nicaragua $3.68, Honduras $3.59, El Salvador $3.21, Guatemala $3.18 and Panama $3.14. From the Ministry of Economy of El Salvador statement: Textile Sector Loses CompetitivenessMonday, June 17, 2019 In recent years, the sector in Guatemala has lost nearly 30,000 jobs, because the high costs resulting from having one of the highest minimum wages in the region, makes it more profitable only to export raw materials, rather than making them in the country. Vestex figures show that in recent years several jobs have been lost in the sector, given that between 2006 and 2018 the industry lost a considerable number of jobs, going from 82,109 to 53,636 places, equivalent to a 35% decrease. Slight Increase in Foreign Investment ExpectedThursday, June 6, 2019 Although a 3% increase in Foreign Direct Investment flows to Honduras is projected for 2019, this increase would be determined by reinvestments of companies already installed in the country, and not by the arrival of new capital. According to data from the Central Bank of Honduras, in recent years in the country the flow of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) has ranged between $1,000 and $1,250 million. But by 2019, FDI is expected to reach $1.3 million, up 3% from the $1.228 million reported in 2018.
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Rice: Purchases Up 34% in 2018Friday, June 14, 2019 Last year, foreign purchases of rice by companies in Central America totaled $356 million, 34% more than in 2017. Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with graphic"]
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Diaper Market: Imports Up 3% in 2018Thursday, June 13, 2019 During 2018, the value of diapers and similar items imported into the region totaled $285 million, 3% more than in 2017. Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with graphic"] |
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Monday, June 24, 2019 - last update: 5:57 pm
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