Much has been said about the economic shocks generated by the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic since its emergence in China at the end of 2019. Indeed, the impact has been remarkable around the world, highlighting the economic fragility of most countries in the face of events of this nature.

In Latin America it has been no different, the American sub-continent has always been characterised by a much higher volume of imports of goods than exports of products to other continents. However, through a report presented by the World Trade Organization (WTO), jointly with the International Trade Centre (ITC) and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), in the first quarter of 2021, world merchandise trade had an increase of 2.3% compared to the last quarter of 2020, led by Asia with an increase of 7.8% in its exports thanks to the recovery of demand for consumables in the rest of the world, but in the case of the rest of the continents, growth was flat or negative. For South and Central America, an incipient recovery of 0.2% is estimated.

In the case of imports, Latin America reported a growth of 7%, being the region with the highest volume of demand for goods in the world during the first half of 2021, while, quite relevantly, the European market suffered from import activity with a decrease of -1.6%.

Export opportunities to Latin America from Venezuela

Against this backdrop, the prospects for exporting products within the region represent a great opportunity for Venezuelan producers. The demand for goods within Latin America has become more visible and the need to satisfy these markets, which have been diminished by the crisis generated by COVID-19, provides the necessary impetus to reactivate the country's productive and export activity towards a market eager for products and services.

Despite being one of the regions most affected and with the greatest delays in vaccination plans, the authorities of our countries have begun to show flexibility in their containment plans, which has allowed production and trade between nations to be revived. With notable differences between the economies of each country, as the process of immunisation of the population progresses, the level of production in the region will recover.

In the meantime, the Latin American market looks attractive, especially when the European market has shown a drastic decline in the volume of goods imports. In addition, freight rates to more distant destinations and the cargo container crisis, which is still causing problems in the distribution of goods, make transoceanic maritime exports less profitable for the time being.

Entering these markets at this time offers broad competitive advantages compared to other regions that are perhaps larger and more developed, but also with more competition and regulation, and in some cases, contracted demand for goods.

Given this situation, it is important to know alternatives in logistics chains that offer and guarantee the effectiveness of the transfer of goods within our continent. Clover International offers to all productive sectors of the country, service options and advice on maritime export to different destinations within the region. Exporting in Latin America is a real opportunity and at Clover we offer you solutions with specialised advice to start your business in the right way in the region.

Latin America will not wait long for your business, the time is now.