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In 2024, Brazil recorded extreme weather events including the intensification of heat waves in several regions. Although the impacts of the fire outbreaks in the sugarcane production are difficult to estimate, the losses caused directly by the fires should not affect Brazil´s total sugar production in the MY 2024/25.

Since 2014, Venezuela’s total meat consumption has declined 57 percent due to prolonged economic downfall. Nevertheless, since 2019, an improved economic environment has led to stabilized beef production and significant growth in the poultry sector. In 2024, total per capita meat consumption is forecast to be 32.4 kilograms, growing 83 percent from its 2018 record low.

FAS/Bangkok (Post) forecasts MY 2024/25 sugar production to increase to 10.2 MMT. MY 2023/24 sugar exports are likely to decline 26 percent due to competition from Brazil. Post expects sugar exports to double in MY 2024/25 from MY 2023/24 in anticipation of tight exportable sugar supplies in the major exporting countries.

The Brazilian economy grew 2.9 percent, largely supported by household consumption, which improved by 3.1 percent in 2023. Low unemployment (7.9%) and inflation (4.6%) were two major drivers for this outcome.

In the Caribbean region, sales value in the retail grocery sector increased by 3 percent in 2023. This is due in part to the rise in tourism in many markets, which is boosting economic growth. The largest grocery retail markets are Trinidad and Tobago, Guadeloupe, and the Bahamas.

In 2023, the Chilean retail food industry witnessed a moderate recovery, with total sales reaching approximately $28.5 billion, a 2.3 percent increase over 2022. The Chilean retail sector is made up of large supermarkets, mid-sized grocery stores, convenience stores, and thousands of smaller independent mom-and-pop shops.

The Dominican Republic (DR) is the third-largest export market in the Western Hemisphere for U.S. consumer-oriented products. In 2023, U.S. exports of these products to the DR exceeded $1 billion, largely due to strong demand from foreign tourism and the retail sector.

Rice export prices further dropped 1-6 percent from the previous week in response to the removal of India’s rice export ban, despite the strengthening of the Thai baht.

Guatemala adopted the Central American Regional Technical Regulation RTCA 67.01.31:20, which updates the food product registration process. The regulation entered into effect on August 5, 2024, superseding previous regulation RTCA 67.031:07.

Post forecasts Mexico’s sugar production at 5.4 million metric tons raw value (MMT-RV) for marketing year (MY) 2024/25 (October 1 – September 30).

This report provides an overview of Thailand’s food retail sector along with the latest market updates. Thailand's retail industry continued to evolve and improve, driven by increasing consumer demand for convenience.

In 2023, the Guatemalan market showed significant potential for growth, with supermarkets, hypermarkets, and independent food stores expanding their locations.