
Brazil's JBS, one of the world's largest protein processors with interests in three continents is moving into the fish industry following a deal for the purchase of Australia's salmon farming company Huon Aquaculture for the equivalent of US$ 315 million.

Despite the pandemic, Toyota Argentina has become a success story. During 2020 it managed to keep production and this year it will have manufactured 140,000 Hilux and SW4 models, with a six months waiting list of customers, and negotiations with main offices in Japan for an investment to expand the plant in Zaraté, Buenos Aires province.

Meatless hamburgers have arrived in Argentina, following the growing world tendency of veganism, which has had an impact on the traditional fast (junk) food chains. In Buenos Aires, the Mostaza chain has launched its Mega NotBurger line, in alliance with Notco a start-up and recent Argentine unicorn, which elaborates food and proteins out of plants.

Argentine fisheries exports in the first half of the year totaled 236,000 tons valued at US$ 855 million according to the latest report from the CaPeCa, the Argentine Chamber of fishing vessels with freezing capacity. Spain and China figure as the main clients but there is a considerable price difference in some catch produce compared to a year ago.

Of the 126 million Mexican population, almost 44% were considered poor at the end of 2020, according to official data from the government. In effect, 3,8 million Mexicans fell below the official poverty line last year to reach 56 million compared with the end of 2018, when current president Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador took office.

Recently inaugurated Peruvian president Pedro Castillo seems to be clearly tilting his country towards China: cabinet members have met with the Beijing ambassador, an updating of the 2009 trade accord between the two countries is advancing and this Friday the president will be vaccinated with the SinoPharm Covid 19 shot.

Because of the hyperinflation process, as of next October the Venezuelan currency, Bolivar, will lose six zeroes, the central bank announced on Thursday, This is the third time in thirteen years that monetary officials in the country appeal to eliminating ciphers.

Foreign airlines still operating in Argentina have voiced yet again their concerns over their future due to the country's restrictions on the number of flights allowed through Buenos Aires' Ezeiza international airport.

Latin America and the Caribbean received US$105.48 billion in Foreign Direct Investment, FDI, in 2020 – 34.7% less than in 2019, 51% less than the record high achieved in 2012, and the lowest since 2010, the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) indicated during the presentation of the annual Foreign Direct Investment in Latin America and the Caribbean, 2021

Global food commodity prices fell in July for the second consecutive month, according to the benchmark United Nations FAO report. The FAO food price averaged 123.0 points in July 2021, 1.2% lower than the previous month although still 31.0% higher than its level in the same period of 2020.