Latin America

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…

Latin America saw a major spike in demand for rice, pasta and noodles in 2020, when the pandemic first hit the region, albeit driven in particular by rice sales in Brazil in this year. This was followed by declining sales in 2021, as consumers saw…

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…

The digital revolution has been rewiring retail for years, leading to new business models, commerce ecosystems and channels for reaching and engaging consumers. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated this transition, as e-commerce became the default…

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…

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…