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La Unión Europea ha adoptado medidas para facilitar la importación de alimentos, como reducciones de aranceles y simplificación de trámites aduaneros. Esto beneficia a negocios que comercializan snacks exclusivos al reducir costos y fomentar el acceso a productos únicos de regiones con acuerdos comerciales, como América Latina y Asia.

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3rd Annual Report on the Implementation and Enforcement of EU Trade Policy | Access2Markets

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The 3rd Annual Report on the Implementation and Enforcement of EU Trade Policy has been published.

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Según un informe de UNCTAD, el comercio mundial podría reducirse casi un 5% en 2023 debido a tensiones geopolíticas y cambios en los patrones comerciales. Esto afecta directamente a empresas que dependen de importaciones internacionales, como la nuestra, complicando el acceso a productos exclusivos y aumentando costos operativos.

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Global trade expected to shrink by nearly 5% in 2023

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The report says the outlook for 2024 remains “highly uncertain and generally pessimistic,” citing factors like ongoing geopolitical tensions, escalating debt, and widespread economic fragility.

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En 2024, el comercio internacional muestra signos de recuperación, lo que podría beneficiarme a mí como importador de productos exclusivos. La OMC prevé una estabilización tras la caída de 2022 debido a la pandemia y la guerra en Ucrania. Esto podría impulsar la demanda de snacks internacionales y productos especializados.

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WTO Forecasts Gradual Trade Recovery In 2024, 2025

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Global goods trade is on course for modest growth throughout 2024 and 2025, despite risks emanating from the conflict in the Middle East, the World Trade Organization forecast Thursday.

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La incertidumbre económica, sumada a la inflación y las interrupciones en las cadenas de suministro, está afectando las importaciones. Los costos altos de transporte y las políticas arancelarias están incrementando los gastos operativos, lo que podría generar retrasos y aumentar los precios de los productos exclusivos que importo.

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The death of globalisation and world-encompassing supply chains has been foretold so often that it is hard to imagine it might actually be happening. Could Covid-19 be the blow that finally shatters them?

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The death of globalisation and world-encompassing supply chains has been foretold so often that it is hard to imagine it might actually be happening. Could Covid-19 be the blow that finally shatters them?

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Cada vez más consumidores buscan probar productos exclusivos e internacionales, lo que está impulsado por el interés creciente por las culturas globales. Como negocio que importa snacks y bebidas únicos, esto me beneficia, ya que las personas están cada vez más abiertas a experimentar con nuevos sabores y productos. Esto me da una gran oportunidad para expandir mi mercado y conectar con un público curioso y diverso.

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Food Globalization Puts the World on Your Plate

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Globalization expands our palates, fosters the sharing of diverse culinary traditions, and enables year‐​round access to fresh and healthy foods—championing free markets and transcending countries’ often‐​stark geopolitical, cultural, and ideological divides.

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La creciente preocupación por la salud y la sostenibilidad está haciendo que muchos consumidores prefieran productos más saludables y éticamente producidos. Esto representa un desafío para mi empresa, ya que muchos de nuestros productos, como snacks importados, no siempre encajan con estas tendencias. Esto podría limitar el interés en nuestros productos si no logramos adaptarnos a estas nuevas demandas.

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Trends Impacting the Healthy Eating Market | Mintel

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Consumers’ approach to healthy eating is changing. Mintel examines the latest trends impacting the healthy eating industry.

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La tecnología está transformando la manera en que gestiono la importación y distribución de productos exclusivos, como snacks internacionales. Gracias al uso de plataformas avanzadas y herramientas como inteligencia artificial para gestionar inventarios y prever la demanda, puedo optimizar costos y mejorar mi servicio al cliente, lo que facilita las operaciones internacionales de mi empresa.

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Brand Strategist & Interactive Marketing Executive bringing innovation by leveraging technology in Marketing at Digital agency.
Digital technologies have truly shaken up the world. From how we communicate with our loved ones to handling our daily finances, technology has changed everything around us. Under that umbrella, e-commerce has come a long way from being a futuristic idea to an everyday necessity. It has brought about a new age of convenience. Today, we shop for everything from the comfort of our homes, whether it's fashion, electronics, books or groceries.

Technology And The Future Of E-Commerce

Technology promises to take e-commerce to new heights. I've noticed that the following types of tech tools are now incredibly important for online store owners to consider.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML)

AI and machine-learning technologies can help easily assess customer data, preferences and behavior, providing audiences with more personalized recommendations and offers.

For example, e-commerce platforms like Amazon use AI algorithms to suggest products based on a customer's browsing and purchase history. AI-powered chatbots enhance customer service by providing instant responses to inquiries and assisting with product recommendations.

I've personally helped a number of luxury brands boost their ROI by using analytics to understand their customers and target their marketing more effectively. One of the ways I've done this is by introducing AI algorithms to enable clients to quickly analyze and optimize their pages for improved customer engagement and higher conversions.

Before adopting an AI/ML solution, start by identifying the issue you're trying to solve-for example, lackluster customer engagement or the inability to manage your data. This will help you choose a tool that makes sense for you. Also, remember that ML is an ally, not a replacement. It should complement your employees' efforts.

Blockchain

Blockchain technology provides transparency, security and trust in transactions. This could revolutionize the e-commerce industry.

With blockchain, every transaction is recorded in a decentralized and immutable ledger. No one can alter or tamper with it. The result is more secure mobile payments and fewer fraudulent activities.

Additionally, blockchain-based smart contracts enable automated, secure transactions without intermediaries and use the blockchain to verify the authenticity and provenance of luxury goods. Customers can, therefore, have more confidence in their purchases.

Here are some practical use cases for e-commerce brands that integrate blockchain into their user experience:

* Avoid the risk of ghost orders and fake reviews, thanks to verified data.

* Select the discounts and product offerings customers are genuinely interested in, as they have control over their data.

* Implement a peer-to-peer blockchain payment system to increase security while boosting speed and convenience.

Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR)

VR and AR technologies enable immersive, interactive shopping experiences. They allow customers to visualize and experience products virtually before purchasing.

For instance, furniture retailers can use AR apps to project virtual furniture in a customer's home, allowing them to see how it fits and looks in their space. Similarly, cosmetics brands can offer virtual try-on experiences where customers can see how different makeup products will look on their faces.

These technologies enhance customer engagement, reduce the need for physical stores and mitigate the risk of buyer's remorse.

Here are some do's and don'ts for getting started:

* Test and iterate. Start with pilot projects; refine using feedback.

* Focus on UX. Prioritize intuitive, easy navigation.

* Optimize loading times. Focus on minimizing latency and increasing speed.

* Educate users. Provide guides for VR/AR features.

* Prioritize mobile. Ensure smooth AR functionality on mobile devices.

* Avoid high entry barriers. Design for both low- and high-end devices.

* Don't use it for gimmicks. Make sure your VR/AR adds genuine value.

* Don't compromise on quality. Deliver a top-notch experience.

* Don't ignore accessibility. Design for all.

* Avoid clutter. Maintain clean, straightforward designs.

Selecting The Right Technology Solutions For E-Commerce

Investing in the right technology solutions can make all the difference for your e-commerce venture. Here are some tips for choosing the solutions that are right for you:

Understand your business needs and have clear objectives.

Before choosing any technology, you must understand your business needs and define clear objectives. Consider factors such as:

* The size of your business.

* Your target audience.

* Your product offerings.

* Growth plans.

This will enable you to narrow down the technology solutions that align with your business objectives. For example, by having a growth plan, you'll not only understand your needs now but in the future, so you can make sure you select a solution with the right features to facilitate this journey, even if some of those features aren't needed just yet.

Weigh different solutions for their features, scalability and cost-effectiveness.

When it comes to an e-commerce tool, look for solutions that provide essential features like inventory management, order processing, payment gateways and analytics.

Consider the solution's scalability so it can accommodate business growth in the long term. And assess the pricing models and determine the solution's cost-effectiveness in relation to its features and benefits.

Prioritize customer experience, mobile readiness and seamless integration capabilities.

Ensure the chosen solutions offer a user-friendly interface, intuitive navigation and fast-loading pages for a seamless and enjoyable shopping experience.

Mobile readiness is crucial, as more customers are shopping using mobile devices. Verify that solutions are optimized for mobile platforms and responsive.

Additionally, consider integration capabilities, making sure tools can seamlessly integrate with other essential software and platforms such as payment gateways, CRM systems and marketing automation tools.

Enhancing The Omnichannel Experience

Delivering a top-notch omnichannel shopping experience means consistency and seamlessness across all touchpoints.

* Make sure all of your sales and communication channels are well integrated.

* Use personalization to make every customer feel special.

* Harness the power of data analytics to understand your customers better.

* Ensure smooth transitions between different channels.

* Keep your brand message and communication consistent.

What's Next?

E-commerce is an exciting, dynamic landscape filled with endless possibilities. As we continue to innovate and push boundaries, we'll witness an evolution in how we shop and live. The only question that remains is: Are you ready to embrace it?

Forbes Agency Council is an invitation-only community for executives in successful public relations, media strategy, creative and advertising agencies. Do I qualify?

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Council Post: The Future Of E-Commerce Technology

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How are new technologies shaping the landscape of e-commerce? And what do e-commerce leaders need to consider when selecting the right solutions?

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A pesar de las ventajas de la tecnología, también enfrento riesgos cibernéticos en mi negocio. La dependencia de plataformas de pago en línea y bases de datos aumenta la vulnerabilidad a los ciberataques, lo que puede afectar la confianza de mis clientes y causar pérdidas significativas por interrupciones operativas.

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Council Post: Cybersecurity In E-Commerce: Analyzing And Fortifying Digital Companies

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Cybersecurity problems are becoming more serious every year.

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Mi empresa puede beneficiarse de la demanda de productos ecológicos al ofrecer empaques biodegradables y opciones más sostenibles. Esto atraerá a un público consciente del medio ambiente, mejorando nuestra imagen.

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What Are 4 Major Sustainability Trends for E-Commerce Merchants?

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Sustainability trends in e-commerce retail vary from changing consumer behaviour to the rise of the circular economy and innovative tech.

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Sin embargo, el transporte internacional de productos exclusivos genera una huella de carbono significativa, lo que representa un desafío en términos de sostenibilidad para la empresa.

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Openness, measured as the ratio of trade to income, appears to reduce air pollution.

Opponents of globalization claim that international trade harms the environment. They believe that, becausethat in open economies a "race to the bottom" in environmental standards will result from governments' fears that enhanced environmental regulation will hurt their international competitiveness, the result is a "race to the bottom" in environmental standards. In Is Trade Good or Bad for the Environment? Sorting out the Causality (NBER Working Paper No. 9021), NBER Research Associates Jeffrey Frankel and Andrew Rose examine the environmental effects of openness to trade in a statistical cross-section of countries in 1995. They find that the impact of trade on at least three kinds of air pollution appears to be, if anything, beneficial, not adverse, for a given level of income. Openness, measured as the ratio of trade to income, appears to reduce air pollution. The level of statistical significance is high for Sulfur Dioxide (SO ₂), and moderate for Particulate Matter and Nitrogen Oxides (NO x).

Correlation need not prove causation. The observed correlation between trade and pollution could arise in other ways. It is possible that countries that are more democratic tend to be both more open to trade and more responsive to environmental concerns. Also, higher levels of income can interact with trade and the environment in all sorts of ways. This paper tries to disentangle the causality between trade and the environment by first testing for the effect of openness on the environment while controlling for income. Then the authors focus on exogenous variation in trade attributable to geography (for example distance from major trading partners), and on variation in income per capita attributable to standard growth determinants (for example population, investment, and education).

How could trade be good for the environment? Trade allows countries to attain more of what they want, including environmental protection (the authors call this proposition the gains-from-trade hypothesis). Trade might lead to international pressures to increase environmental standards, or to beneficial technological and managerial innovations. Multinational corporations tend to bring clean state-of-the-art production techniques from higher-standard countries of origin to host countries where such standards are not yet known. Furthermore, trade economists believe that openness to trade encourages continual innovation both in technology and in management practice; such innovation likely will be applied to environmental concerns as well as to pure economic goals. In other words, Frankel and Rose suggest, environmental improvement may well accompany globalization.

Even if openness to trade does not raise air pollution worldwide, it may give rise to "pollution havens": that is, some countries that specialize in dirtier production and export their products to others who specialize in cleaner production. In this way, the geographical distribution of pollution might change, even if the average level did not. In one version of the pollution haven hypothesis, poorer countries are predicted to have a "comparative advantage" in pollution. But Frankel and Rose test the proposition that the combination of being poor and open makes for higher levels of pollution, and they find no evidence of it at all. Similarly they are able to reject the versions of the pollution haven hypothesis that say that low-density countries or capital-intensive countries have a comparative advantage in pollution.

The authors also document for thethree measures of air pollution the "Environmental Kuznets Curve" for the three measures of air pollution. This widely tested relationship says that growth harms the environment at low levels of income, but helps at high levels. At higher levels of income per capita, growth stimulates the public's demand for improving environmental quality, which in democratic societies is brought about through environmental regulation. Frankel and Rose estimate that SO ₂ pollution, for example, peaks at income levels of about $5,770 per capita, and thereafter starts to decline. All of this squares with economic theories that suggest that growth yields air and water pollution when industrialization is being introduced, but eventually results in reduction of reduced pollution as countries become prosperous enough to afford cleaning up their environments. In other words, production technology inevitably pollutes, but the rising income that results from this same production technology just as inevitably increases the demand for environmental quality.

A final finding is also familiar from studies of trade and income: globalization is good for growth. The authors find that every .01 increase in the ratio of trade to GDP raises income by 0.4 percent over the following 20 years. The effects of trade that operate via growth -- worsening pollution at first, and then reducing pollution later -- may be larger than the effects of trade that operate independently of growth.

In sum, Frankel and Rose find that after an initial adverse effect in the relationship between growth and environmental damage at low levels of income, a pattern emerges showing that growth eventually has a beneficial effect on air pollution. Still, the researchers caution that the results are less consistently positive in regard to broader measures of environmental quality. Some environmental problems such as emission of greenhouse gases are truly global and not local, they point out. A "free rider" problem prevents national governments from translating the demand for environmental improvement into reality, even when they collectively have the economic means to do so. Thus the authors are not surprised to find statistically that trade and growth do not seem to have beneficial effects on emissions of these gases. In such cases, say Frankel and Rose, international cooperation and not just local regulation is needed.

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Is Trade Good or Bad for the Environment?

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Openness, measured as the ratio of trade to income, appears to reduce air pollution. Opponents of globalization claim that international trade harms the environment. They believe that, becausethat in open economies a "race to the bottom" in environmental standards will result from governments' fears that enhanced environmental regulation will hurt their international competitiveness, the result is a "race to the bottom" in environmental standards.

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Gracias a los acuerdos de libre comercio de la UE, se facilitan las importaciones de productos alimenticios con aranceles reducidos hasta un 84%. Esto mejora la rentabilidad y simplifica la importación de snacks exclusivos para mi empresa.

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Como punto de partida, es importante considerar que uno de los principios que rige la política comercial internacional es el "Principio de no-discriminación", a través de la Cláusula de Nación Más Favorecida - MFN-. Esta cláusula establece que cualquier ventaja que un país contratante conceda a otro en materia aduanera, se extiende automáticamente a los demás países pero está sujeto a excepciones preferenciales que son las que marcarán los aranceles que tenga que satisfacer un operador para el acceso a ese mercado. Estas excepciones son:

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¿Cómo funcionan los acuerdos comerciales de la UE? - ICEX

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Descubre cuáles son los acuerdos comerciales establecidos por la UE con terceros países - Estatutos aduaneros - Uniones aduaneras y acuerdos de libre comercio

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Las regulaciones más estrictas sobre etiquetado y seguridad alimentaria en la UE, que exigen cumplir con normas sobre ingredientes, alérgenos y trazabilidad, pueden generar retrasos y aumentar los costos operativos para mi empresa al importar productos internacionales.

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En la UE ha avanzado de forma relevante desde comienzos de siglo, marcada por eventos como la crisis de las "vacas locas", si bien aún está a las puertas de abrirse a cambios

La alimentación en Europa es objeto de mucha legislación para garantizar la calidad, rentabilidad y seguridad de las producciones.

En la UE ha avanzado de forma relevante desde comienzos de siglo, marcada por eventos como la crisis de las "vacas locas", si bien aún está a las puertas de abrirse a cambios relevantes.

Éste es un repaso, de la mano del responsable de Asuntos Regulatorios del centro tecnológico Ainia, José María Ferrer, de la legislación en alimentación que está por venir y que debería materializarse en los próximos meses:

Los materiales en contacto con los alimentos

A nivel comunitario, una de las normativas más desconocidas y, a la vez curiosas, es la que pretende revisar qué materiales y cómo pueden estar en contacto con los alimentos porque abarca desde un simple envase a una cinta transportadora.

En 2004 la UE aprobó el reglamento-marco para 17 categorías de materiales, pero desde entonces se ha avanzado con "cuentagotas" y principalmente ha sido con el plástico.

La Comisión deberá precisar próximamente las medidas para evitar que haya "migraciones del material de envasado al alimento", es decir, para que no haya restos de plástico o cristal; o que un envase no altere las características organolépticas de un producto.

Son acciones para asegurar no solo la seguridad alimentaria sino también la calidad, precisa.

Etiquetado y alcohol

También Bruselas trabaja para ampliar la información que ofrecen las etiquetas de los alimentos y, de hecho, se está revisando la normativa en los que respecta al bienestar animal y a las bebidas alcohólicas.

La legislación actual sobre etiquetado deriva de otro reglamento marco de 2011 que sirve de punto de partida para desarrollar por áreas, una de ellas, y de impacto social, es la de información nutricional; dentro de ese cometido han visto la luz, a nivel privado, iniciativas de implantación voluntaria como el conocido Nutriscore, mientras Bruselas sigue estudiando cuál es el más idóneo.

Desde 2020, la UE busca un proyecto de reglamento sobre este asunto y está en otro "impasse" para cerrar un etiquetado frontal nutricional.

Pero hay más porque los legisladores también quieren mejorar el modo en que se traslada la información sobre la fecha de caducidad o de consumo preferente para que el consumidor lo comprenda mejor y sirva, de paso, en la reducción del desperdicio alimentario.

De hecho, ésta última área se resolverá antes que el de información nutricional, según este experto.

Son iniciativas europeas que "vienen de atrás" y el hecho de que haya habido ahora un cambio de Parlamento Europeo y un nuevo colegio de comisarios "por supuesto que no agiliza" e incluso podría afectar a algún planteamiento.

En el marco regulatorio nacional

A nivel nacional destaca la inminente aprobación de la ley contra el desperdicio alimentario, un problema cuyo día se celebra precisamente este domingo.

Ha acumulado un considerable retraso, en parte debido a que su tramitación parlamentaria decayó con la convocatoria de elecciones generales anticipadas para julio de 2023.

Está ya en fase de una intensa negociación parlamentaria (con unas 300 enmiendas presentadas) y su entrada en vigor está prevista para enero de 2025.

También a nivel nacional cobrará importancia una orden ministerial con una lista de frutas y hortalizas frescas que podrán comercializarse envasadas, sin cumplir con la obligación de dispensarse a granel recogida en el decreto sobre gestión de envases de 2022.

Surgió la necesidad de excepcionar las frutas y hortalizas que presentan un riesgo de deterioro o merma y el Ministerio sigue con la elaboración de la orden; de hecho, cerró a mediados de agosto una consulta pública para recabar información sobre qué alimentos deben gozar de esa excepción.

Pero la normativa que está por venir en este campo es amplia y, de hecho, también hay otras pendientes en áreas como las normas de calidad (para la miel y para los aceites vegetales) o sobre vitaminas y minerales añadidos a los alimentos.

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La alimentación europea: objeto de mucha normativa vigente y a las puertas de más cambios - EFEAgro

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En la UE ha avanzado de forma relevante desde comienzos de siglo, marcada por eventos como la crisis de las "vacas locas", si bien aún está a las puertas de abrirse a cambios