By the A.M. Costa Rica staff

Online spending on consumer products has increased an average of seven times faster than total spending throughout 2019, according to Kantar data, which places mainland China and South Korea as the world's most advanced countries for this type of online shopping.

According to the study, China remains the first country on the list, due to the growth of e-commerce sales, since it has been the one that has increased the most with 36.1% and continues to accelerate.

In the last six months, e-commerce has increased 10 points reaching 73% of the population. Three out of four Chinese households buy food online.

"We anticipate that by 2025, online food sales will double, which means that 10% of global sales of consumer goods will be made online," said Stéphane Roger, global director of distribution and buyer of the Worldpanel Division of Kantar.

The consolidation of Amazon in Europe has meant a revolution in the sector. Thus, the European country with more developed food sales for Amazon in the U.K. with 10% of the online market. It is followed by France, where Amazon has captured a market share of 5% of the total sales of high-turnover goods (fast-moving consumer goods) online.

However, in the last year, Amazon has found it difficult to maintain its growth rate in France, since it has gone from 44% in 2018 to 14% in 2019, specialists say.

This is due to the dynamism of its competitors, especially Carrefour and Intermarché companies, which have opened many new product collection points (pick-up points), 232 and 85 respectively, in the last year, according to the study.

"The development of these narrow points for people in larger urban areas is hindering Amazon's growth," said the recent report by América Retail.

According to PROCOMER, the agency of promoting the exportation of Costa Rican goods and services, food exports in 2019 exceeded $1.5 billion.

The majority of exports went to Guatemala where $199 million were placed, the U.S. with $189 million and Panamá with $164 million, PROCOMER said.

Among the main exported products were: syrups for the preparation of soft drinks, fruit juices and concentrates, sauces and preparations, palm oil, fine bakery products and preserved tropical fruits.

"Electronic commerce has been the fastest-growing commercialization channel in recent years, however, this dynamism has been more focused on non-perishable products, technology or household use; despite this in recent years, sales of food and fresh products have begun to gain greater relevance, especially with Amazon's momentum in the U.S., Canada and Europe, as well as greater availability of purchases for pick-up from supermarkets," said PROCOMER in its statement.


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What food product made in Costa Rica could be more attractive to Chinese consumers? We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to news@amcostarica.com

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