Latin America

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…

During 2023, Argentina was plunged into an economic crisis, with the rate of inflation soaring to more than 100%, one of the highest in the world. With the country already struggling to comply with the conditions of a loan package from the…

Pharmacies continue to have significant influence over the value sales of analgesics in Ecuador. For instance, in lower income neighbourhoods, pharmacies are generally stocked with generics, whereas in wealthier neighbourhoods, mainly branded…

Analgesics has not seen a positive performance in 2023 as the height of the pandemic has passed. During the pandemic’s peak, consumers were buying up analgesics at a rapid pace to treat fevers, aches and other symptoms associated with acute…

After the spike in demand for systemic analgesics in the period, 2020 to 2021, driven by COVID-19 and then by the need to relieve reactions to vaccination, in 2022 demand tended to stabilise. However, adult acetaminophen and combination analgesics…

In 2023, acetaminophen continues to lead sales of analgesics in Chile, whilst also experiencing the highest growth rate in the category. This growth has remained steady since the onset of the pandemic, where acetaminophen became the preferred choice…

While analgesics performed well during the pandemic, they has returned to more moderate growth now that the threat has subsided. In 2023, analgesics is expected to register moderate current value growth, though constant value sales are expected to…

Retail volume sales of analgesics rebounded in 2023, following a two-year period of decline. While the COVID-19 pandemic boosted demand for acetaminophen (paracetamol), which was the only analgesic recommended by the government to alleviate the…

In its second edition, the EV Readiness Index 2023 indicates the best prepared markets for the electric vehicle (EV) transition. This follows growing EV take-up, with new electric passenger car registrations set to reach 20% of total registrations…

The growth of sports and indoor and outdoor activities, as well as children returning to school, has led to increased injuries compared to the previous years of COVID-19 restrictions. This, in turn, has driven the demand for first aid products in…

During 2022 and 2023, Ozempic injections have started to be used by consumers who do not have type 2 diabetes to lose weight. Popularised by international media, higher-income consumers who can afford them have resorted to using these injections to…

Consumers having less disposable income has impacted their purchasing habits in 2023, including their choices regarding healthcare products and vitamins. Rather than investing in preventative measures like vitamins, consumers are opting for more…

The rising consumer health consciousness, given further impetus by the COVID-19 pandemic, is helping honey sales to grow given its perceived natural and beneficial properties. Honey's popularity is also being boosted by its adaptability as a…

The packaging of jams and preserves was recording the strongest growth in Brazil’s sweet spreads market in 2022, helped by increasing interest in health and natural products among consumers. Jams and preserves are perceived as healthier options than…

Sports nutrition witnessed an upturn in current value sales in 2022 as consumers left COVID-19 fears behind and returned to gyms and their usual sporting activities. Moving into 2023, Many Costa Ricans focus on losing weight gained during the…

There was a surge in demand for sauces, dips and condiments packaging during 2020, when COVID-19 restrictions saw consumers spending more time at home and preparing and eating more meals and snacks there, providing a significant boost to demand for…

In 2022, the packaging unit volumes of sauces, dips and condiments in Brazil continued to grow, driven by factors such as increasing demand for convenient and diverse food options on the back of changing consumer preferences and urbanisation, which…

After the sharp spike in demand for processed meat and seafood packaging in 2020, when COVID-19 restrictions resulted in consumers spending much more time at home and preparing and eating more meals and snacks there, this category has since seen two…

The continued growth of processed meat and seafood in Brazil can be attributed to factors such as convenience, increased disposable incomes, urbanisation, product innovation and cultural significance. Processed meat products offer time-saving…

Frozen processed vegetables have been gaining in popularity in Colombian processed fruit and vegetable packaging due to their convenience, longer shelf life and retention of nutritional value. Flexible plastic is the favoured pack type for these…