COVID-19: The Voice of Latin American CPGs

Mundo PMMI’s Lilian Robayo Paez weighs in with reader contributions from 12 Latin American countries on impact of Covid-19.

“Our main challenge is maintaining jobs and salaries for our employees to avoid their suffering at this time”, one of the Brazilian businessmen pointed out in his response.
“Our main challenge is maintaining jobs and salaries for our employees to avoid their suffering at this time”, one of the Brazilian businessmen pointed out in his response.

Participants of a survey conducted by MUNDO PMMI about Covid-19 have expressed their opinions, fears, and expectations facing this crisis, as well as the effects it could have on their companies and operations. However, though the effects of the pandemic are felt all through the region, some of the opinions of businessmen from different countries reflect special domestic conditions.

EXPO PACK Mexico City canceled, read full story here.

In our recent survey of over 950 Latin American entrepreneurs in twelve countries, among CPGs, the gathered responses largely reflect perceptions that go beyond the usual and general conclusions that may be drawn from mere aggregate data analysis.

If you would rather read it in Spanish, click here for Mundo PMMI.

More survey results: Latin American CPGs and Covid-19 | Packaging World

In our three previous posts, we have submitted some of our findings within a regional projection perspective, based upon the survey’s results and our analysis of the answers. However, though the effects of the pandemic are felt all through the region, some of the opinions of businessmen from different countries reflect special domestic conditions.

The measures being undertaken by governments are not equal in every country and their effects may impact companies differently, as well as the entrepreneur’s perceptions. Thus, at this post, we set forth the opinions of participants from those countries which provided more answers, to outline a general landscape of the situation and to show the perceptions, concerns and strategies of some respondents.

Argentina

Since the original announcement of the fist Argentinian death due to coronavirus on March 7th, the government took strict measures to isolate its country’s inhabitants, with results that seem to indicate positive advancements towards the goal of flattening the curve of infected people.

The economic uncertainty feels like a main source of concern in Argentina, as proposed by one of the respondents who, on the question of the main difficulties he faces, emphatically proposed that “the financial aspect prevails over all the other challenges we face ahead”.

A subject that stands out, in coincidence with this preoccupation for the economy’s performance, is the manifest decision to “put a hold on new personnel recruiting and hiring processes”. The supply chain doesn’t seem to be suffering major disruptions so far in Argentina, and intensified safety and hygiene regulations stand out among the possible strategies facing an extension of the isolation demanded by the government.

This crisis has brought an abrupt decline of its currency value to Colombia, directly affecting the acquisition of imported raw materials as well as processing and packaging machinery.This crisis has brought an abrupt decline of its currency value to Colombia, directly affecting the acquisition of imported raw materials as well as processing and packaging machinery.

Brazil

With its close to 210 million population, Brazil holds the highest number of confirmed coronavirus cases. The controversial positions of President Jair Bolsonaro on managing this crisis, as well as his ideas of the pandemic’s reach, have been criticized by several of the region’s leaders and even some of his ministers.

Covid-19 Effects on Modernization of Latin American Food and Beverage Plants.

The worries expressed by Brazilian entrepreneurs who participated in this survey are mainly associated with the stability of companies and jobs, impacted by isolation and mobility restrictions. “Our main challenge is maintaining jobs and salaries for our employees to avoid their suffering at this time”, one of the Brazilian businessmen pointed out in his response.

Researched List: Engineering Services Firms
Looking for engineering services? Our curated list features 100+ companies specializing in civil, process, structural, and electrical engineering. Many also offer construction, design, and architecture services. Download to access company names, markets served, key services, contact information, and more!
Download Now
Researched List: Engineering Services Firms
Liquid Foods Innovations Report
Welcome to the inaugural Packaging World/ProFood World Innovations Report on liquid food packaging, drawn from nearly 300 PACK EXPO International booth visits (Chicago, Nov. 3–6, 2024). Our editors highlight the most groundbreaking equipment and materials—supported by video demos—that promise to transform how liquid foods are processed, packaged, and delivered.
Learn More
Liquid Foods Innovations Report