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In
the United States,
food-service sales reached
$872 billion in 2018. /
A.M. Costa Rica wire services
photo
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Food
producers can increase exports
to the United States, say
specialists
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By the
A.M. Costa Rica staff
A study to
characterization of the
food-service industry in the
United States, made by the Foreign
Trade Promoter of Costa Rica, now
demonstrates an opportunity for
local food farmers or producers
(of any nationality) to expand or
diversify their products in there.
Specialists report that 33 percent
of what Costa Rica exports to the
U.S. market corresponds to the
agro-food sector, where one of the
possible marketing models -
initial or subsequent to
participating in retail - can be
food-service, given that the U.S.
is the 6th country in the world
with the highest per capita
expenditure of food consumer.
In the United States, food-service
sales reached $872 billion in
2018, of which commercial services
(places to eat, special food
services, places of lodging,
places to drink) accounted for 93
percent, and also the
non-commercial services (schools,
hospitals, prisons, and others), 7
percent.
"This analysis of the food-service
allowed us to identify the
importance associated with the
size of the population and tourist
centers, hence the States with the
largest number of establishments
are: California (12 percent),
Texas (9 percent), New York ( 8
percent) and Florida (7 percent),
" said Marta Esquivel, Commercial
Director. " This information is
very valuable for exporters to
know where they may have more
opportunities and how to focus
their efforts."
According to Esquivel, care must
be taken to choose the type of
establishment the exporter wishes
to target, regulations must always
be met to enter this market. For
example, mandatory access
requirements such as FDA, USDA,
etc., corporate requirements and
channel requirements such as
nutritional aspects, packaging,
etc.
According to the study,
food-service trends in the U. S.
are:
- Hyper-local supply (consumers as
close as possible to where they
are grown).
- Global inspiration where recipes
of African, Peruvian and Filipino
origin take relevance.
- New ingredients and new cuts of
meat.
- Indulgences that are worthwhile
with less frequent consumption of
sugars and alcohol, but with
greater quality and
sophistication, favoring occasions
outside the home and more expense.
- Other ways to look for
functionality in the foods they
eat (use of collagen for beauty,
foods that improve mood, others).
- Food as a reflection of consumer
values.
- Technology continues to
facilitate processes and attract
customers.
- Lightweight packaging,
convenient and friendly with the
environment.
- Adaptation of the channel to the
rhythm of life of the consumer
(teleworker, consumer diet, client
connectivity, etc.).
- New concepts of food-service
(fast casual, pop-up, etc.).
According to specialists, the most
attractive types of food sales
are:
- Sale with one’s own
distribution: what it entails to
assume costs and administrative
responsibilities proper to operate
directly in the USA.
- Sales with distributors: where
large companies such as Sysco, US
Foods and Performance Food Group
Company are distinguished, which
are sometimes difficult to access,
given their preference to work
with products of high demand, with
large sales volumes and ample
profit margin.
- Sale to clubs with or without
membership: large or small clubs
that import directly.
- Strategic alliance with a
distribution center: where the use
of outsourced storage is
strengthened and adequate digital
marketing, follow-up and attention
of accounts are carried out.
The specialists of the Foreign
Trade Promoter call on local food
producers to take advantage of the
opportunities to export to the
United States.
More information on how to export
can be found on the Procomer
website*.
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What kind of Costa Rican
product could be attractive to the
U.S. Consumer? We would like
to know your thoughts on this
story. Send your comments
to: news@amcostarica.com
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