Central American Bean production has been affected by strong rains (Nicaragua, for example, is reporting 40% of its production lost). The tariff reduction will be in effect until next December, and will facilitate to import the product from outside Central America.

"The purpose is to avoid beans getting more expensive when the price has already gone up because of the shortage", reported Nacion.com.

Source: Nacion.com

More on this topic

El Salvador to Import Basic Grains Duty Free

November 2011

A decree authorized the duty-free import of basic grains, maize and beans, to ensure supply for the population.

By means of Decree 907, the MAG has been empowered to buy and sell seed and grain, bean and maize and materials for their production, in order to guarantee the price of the product and transfer it at a reasonable cost to the public.

El Salvador: Beans Yet to Arrive from China

April 2011

The Ministry for Farming has still not managed to import the amount of beans necessary to cover the national supply shortage.

To date, the sending of the first 60,000 hundredweight has not been completed and no information has been made available as to the terms of the supply agreement.

El Salvador to Imported Beans Without Tariffs in 2011

January 2011

The National Assembly authorized the government to import 1.2 million quintals of beans in 2011.

The decision is intended to mitigate a possible rise in prices of basic grains and other products, considering production was lower than expected due to excessive rains in 2010.

Nicaragua Allows Imports of Another Bean Variety

September 2010

Faced with potential bean shortages, the government has permitted an additional bean variety to be imported.

Since 11 September the country has enabled the "criollo" red bean to be imported and it is now proceeding to allow another similar variety in order to help supply the population.