Latin America

In 2023, staple foods has registered a marginal decrease in retail volume terms as consumers reduce consumption in order to save money. High prices remain an issue for Uruguayans and this is impacting negatively on demand. Furthermore, the…

Peru has been contending with a steady escalation in prices since 2021, a situation exacerbated in 2022 and 2023, affecting a wide array of consumer goods and services. The country's significant reliance on imported products and supplies means that…

Volume sales of staple foods are expected to grow in 2023. Moderate inflation rates after a challenging 2022 will play a key role in the recovery of categories such as baked goods as well as rice, pasta and noodles. However, breakfast cereals is…

Panama’s sales of staple foods are buoyed by extensive urbanisation, the rise of modern grocery retailers and wider product selection. However, in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the resumption of pre-pandemic lifestyles, Russia’s invasion of…

Retail volume sales of staple foods in Mexico continue to rise in 2023, although performances of the categories vary, depending on the level of price increases over the year and affordability. Despite prices trending to normalise with inflation rates…

Volume sales of staple foods saw slow growth in 2023 while values rose due to inflationary pressures. The normalisation of lifestyles in the wake of the pandemic reduced the home cooking trend and lowered demand for products such as shelf stable…

Staples foods is expected to expected to register current value and volume growth, though inflation continues to hit companies’ profitability, with constant value growth expected to be more muted.

Volume sales of staple foods saw slow growth in 2023 while values rose due to inflationary pressures. The normalisation of lifestyles in the wake of the pandemic reduced the home cooking trend and lowered demand for products such as shelf stable…

While Ecuador has maintained one of the lowest inflation rates in the region, a combination of factors has led to upward price pressures in Staple Foods. The rising costs of key ingredients like wheat, oil or butter have continued in 2023, with…

The overall inflation rate in the Dominican Republic has decreased in 2023 and is projected to close at 4.9%, compared to 9.5% in 2022, marking a significant decline in price increases. However, inflation continues to impact various staple foods…

Inflation continues to impact consumer shopping habits in 2023, with consumers seeking out low prices and private label in the staple foods category, as they look to make grocery budgets stretch further. The government has implemented aggressive…

Staple foods in Colombia in 2023 is significantly influenced by food price-related issues, inflation, and the country's GDP evolution. The historically high inflation experienced in 2022 continued to be a major concern for all stakeholders in staple…

In line with the waning impact of the pandemic in Chile as the country eased its restrictions, consumers were optimistic that the economic situation would improve significantly. However, this was quickly followed by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine,…

The ongoing inflationary process that has hit the Brazilian economy in the past few years started to cool in 2023, as various food categories experienced a deflationary process for many items throughout the year. The Brazilian market context can been…

Bolivia has managed to protect itself to a large extent from inflation by continuing to have a fixed exchange rate against the dollar. However, there has been challenges for the economy in 2023, with sharp falls in foreign currency reserves and this…

Within staple foods in Argentina, retail volume sales overall are seeing only marginal growth. While the prevailing economic turmoil is partially responsible for this, an array of additional factors is contributing to adverse effects on both supply…

In 2023, rice and pasta registered a decline in retail volume sales, as consumers were deterred by higher retail prices. Rising international cost have plagued dried and fresh pasta in particular, forcing manufacturers to raise prices. Another…

Rice, pasta and noodles in Peru has been experiencing significant growth in unit prices, primarily driven by rising manufacturing and distribution costs. Contributing factors include increased commodity prices, notably for wheat due to Russia's…

Although the impact of COVID-19 is waning in Mexico, many consumption habits adopted during the pandemic remain prevalent. While demand for rice, pasta, and noodles through foodservice has recovered to pre-pandemic levels, retail volume sales…

Rice continues to register price rises, but to a lesser extent than other staple products. Rice, as well as pasta, are seen as affordable staples and are consumed daily. There is also a wide range of brands available, across varying price points, and…

Rice is a staple food in Ecuadorian households and is pivotal in local economies. Weather conditions in Ecuador have a significant impact on rice production, influencing both yields and market dynamics. A particularly potent winter season,…

The price increase in the rise, pasta and noodles category has not been as sharp as in other staple foods categories, therefore volume growth has remained steady throughout 2023. Rice and pasta, being low-cost products, have benefited from…

Tariffs on imported rice were reduced by 33% in 2023 leading to a significant rise in imports. In six months, imports of rice pellets (unpeeled rice that is processed) grew by 477%. The main importing companies are Inter-Global (Walmart's logistics…

Dried pasta and rice are staple products on Colombian tables, offering versatility for various meals and affordability. While they are not the same type of food, both are commonly consumed either on their own or paired with vegetables, meat, or a…

Retail volume sales of rice continue to be impacted by the enduring ramifications of inflation in Chile. As a staple food for a substantial portion of the world's population, rice holds a critical position in diets and culinary traditions. However,…

The price of rice, pasta, and noodles in Brazil over 2022 was mainly impacted by worldwide production challenges, international trade, freight constraints and local macroeconomic outcomes. The cost-of-living crisis as a result of inflation placed…

Rice is expected to register positive current value and volume growth in 2023. Rice is an important staple in the Bolivian diet, having one of the highest consumption rate in the region. However, it was protected from global inflationary pressure, as…

The rice sector in Argentina is witnessing a significant downturn in 2023, following a period of relatively robust performance the previous year. The previous boost in volume sales, facilitated by government-imposed price controls in 2022 that kept…

Processed meat, seafood, and alternatives to meat continues to record solid retail volume growth in 2023. However, it must be considered that in 2022, demand was weak due to the negative impact of high inflation. During 2022, local consumers were…

High inflation continues to impact the performance of processed meat and seafood in Chile, exerting substantial influence on both consumer behaviour and industry dynamics. The rise in inflation directly affects the purchasing power of Chilean…

Since the beginning of 2023, packaged food brands are required to incorporate health warning black seals on their packaging, indicating an excess content of saturated fat, sugars, or sodium.

Convenience stores continue to grow their portfolio of processed meat, seafood, and alternatives to meat in 2023. Convenience store chains like Fresh Market offer both imported and local products, with imported brands bringing innovative options to…

Against the backdrop of diminishing purchasing power and soaring inflation in Argentina, private label products have carved a niche for themselves, often at the expense of branded goods, within processed meat and seafood. The review period has…

The lingering impact that the pandemic had on consumers’ behaviour remains clear in Brazil. With the high inflationary process resulting from misguided policies to international price variations, some animal-based proteins witnessed soaring unit…

The landscape for shelf-stable seafood is primarily led by canned tuna and canned sardine sales. During the outbreak of COVID-19, canned tuna gained popularity due to its affordability, versatility, and extended shelf life, making it a reliable…

Shelf stable seafood is mainly imported and is expected to be impacted by inflationary pressure in 2023. While Bolivia had managed to protect itself to a large extent from inflation by continuing to have a fixed exchange rate against the dollar,…

In Peru, the political and economic instability, coupled with high inflation and reduced employment levels, has fostered the growth of chilled processed red meat. These economic challenges have led consumers to seek more cost-effective alternatives…

Following significant price increases in 2022, prices continue to rise in 2023, albeit at a lower rate. The implementation of the government’s zero tariff policy for basic basket goods to bring some relief to the country’s most vulnerable consumers…

Processed meat and seafood is expected to register a fall in constant value sales and minimal volume growth, as inflation continues to hit profit margins. Prices continue to rise as pressures from energy bills, transport, labour costs and the cost of…

In 2023, many Uruguayans are travelling across the border into Argentina to purchase more affordable shelf-stable meat and seafood, as well as cheaper chilled processed red meat. This trend has had a negative impact on local sales in Uruguay, as…

In 2023, the drought and scarcity of safe water sources in Uruguay has compelled locals to make changes to their dietary choices, replacing fresh vegetables and fruit with frozen and shelf stable options. With the ongoing challenges of washing fresh…

Processed fruits and vegetables in Peru is demonstrating a notable trend: unlike other packaged food categories, it has not experienced significant price increases. This relative price stability has helped to slow down the decline in volume sales…

Shelf stable beans is the largest retail volume category in processed fruit and vegetables, because it is primarily a key ingredient in traditional Mexican cuisine. Consumption per capita of shelf stable beans in Mexico is among the highest in Latin…

Processed fruit and vegetables is expected to register healthy growth in 2023, both in terms of constant value and volume growth. Products such as shelf stable black beans, which account for most volume sales, are economical and nutritious and appeal…

Frozen potatoes has witnessed a substantial expansion within the modern retail sector, characterised by the wide offerings of various brands. The increase in brand options has heightened consumer interest, fostering a competitive landscape that…

The relentless surge in prices has significantly impacted processed fruit and vegetables, resulting in a notable slowdown in retail volume growth across the categories, with consumers shifting towards fresh produce in search of better prices. The…

Retail volume sales of processed fruit and vegetables enjoyed a strong increase in retail volume sales in 2023, compared to the previous year. While fresh produce offers its own benefits, frozen fruits and vegetables are a preferred choice for many…

In 2023, among all the staple foods, processed fruit and vegetables experienced the most challenging sales performance. The primary factor behind this sales decline was the remarkable stability, and even occasional price reductions, in fresh fruit…

The per capita consumption of frozen processed vegetables in Chile differs significantly from that of other countries in the region, primarily due to health-related factors. In the 1980s, Chile experienced a severe cholera outbreak, impacting the…

Throughout 2023, food inflation in Brazil eased, although some prices of consumer goods continued at higher levels. Budgetary constraints continued to pose barriers to consumption, especially of fresh fruit and vegetables. Therefore, low and…