CENTRAL AMERICA - In the first quarter of the year, imports of furniture for home and office in the Central American countries totaled USD 89 million, 2% less than in the same period of 2017.

In the first three months of 2018, the main importer of furniture in Central America was Panama, with USD 27 million, which represents a drop of 7% compared to 1Q-2017 (USD 29 million).

Followed by Costa Rica, with USD 21 million, Guatemala, with USD 13 million, Honduras with USD 10 million, Nicaragua with USD 9 million and El Salvador with USD 8 million.

From January to March, 27% of the value imported by Central America came from China, 22% from the United States, 7% from Italy, 4% from Colombia and 3% from Brazil.

For the quarter in review, in the last seven years, the United States is the country of origin of Central American furniture imports that has declined the most. In 2012 it represented 26% of the total value purchased, and in 2018 it dropped to 22%.