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Mexico is the third largest food processor in the Americas behind the United States and Brazil, and it is in the top 15 worldwide. Moreover, the food industry in Mexico is one of the most dynamic with an average annual growth of 4.3 percent, with a gross domestic product (GDP) contribution of $39.4 billion in 2020.

Peru’s food processing industry is a dynamic sector of the national economy. The food industry in Peru accounts for almost 27 percent of the industrial gross domestic product. The sector rebounded from a slight drop in 2020, achieving a 9.8 percent growth in 2021. U.S.-origin food processing ingredient exports to Peru reached $196 million in 2021.

On Monday, February 28 Mexico's Ministry of Economy released the Mexican Official Standard NOM-173-SE-2021 - Denominations-Specifications- Commercial Information and Test Methods for Prepackaged Non-Alcoholic Beverages with Fruit or Vegetable Content.

Guatemala is one of the top food processing countries in Central America; meats and bakery and dairy products continue to lead the domestic food processing sector. U.S. suppliers have good opportunities to export bulk, intermediate, and consumer-oriented products that can be used as ingredients for further processing.

Chile is an open economy with a developed and competitive food industry. Just over half of Chilean food production lands in the domestic market, while 46 percent is exported. Food manufacturers leverage the country’s multiple trade agreements to export Chilean-manufactured processed products to the world.

Though relatively small, the Costa Rican food processing sector relies on U.S. exporters to maintain critical supply chains. Proximity, reliability, and familiarity help make the United States the preferred supplier for a wide range of food processing ingredients, including wheat, corn, and animal proteins.