The country currently exports coffee, cardamom, macadamia, sesame, honey, lemon and black tea, and other products such as melon, papaya, mango and pineapple are seeking access to international markets.
Producers agree that the sale of crops raised organically generates profits of up to 70% more than those from traditional planting.
"Gaspar Armando, a cooperative farmer in the Mayan Peoples Federation (Fedepma) reported that although the volume of production is less, compared to coffee produced from chemicals, sales can generate higher profits by up 70 percent", reported Prensalibre.com.
Suppliers of organic products reported a rise in sales and improved market conditions.
A statement from the Costa Rican Trade Promotion Office (PROCOMER) reads:
Sales of organic products in Europe Recover
According to Organic Monitor many suppliers of organic products have reported a rise in sales and improved market conditions, however, this situation is not shared by all European countries.
The massive arrival of foreigners has driven changes in consumer habits, among which is the growth in demand for products without chemical additives or synthetic substances.
This increase in demand for organic products is reflected by the increase in space for these products on supermarket shelves and the opening of shops.
An article in Capital.com.pa reports that "in principle public acceptance was somewhat slow, but there is increasing demand for organic products, now there are all sorts of fresh products such as breads and sweets, and processed and packaged foods. "
The International Federation of Organic Agricultural Movements (IFOAM in Spanish) has issued new rules to replace those previously established in 2005.
A statement from the Costa Rican Trade Promotion Office (PROCOMER) reads:
The IFOAM has published new rules to replace those previously established in 2005 and these have been approved by electronic vote of the members of the federation, a process which ended on August 5.
The French market for organic products grew by 10% in 2011, despite the crisis.
From a press release by Procomer:
Despite the crisis the consumption of organic products in France has increased.
In ten years, the French "bio" market, despite the crisis, has maintained the interest of consumers. The market has grown ten percentage points in 2011 to reach a turnover of around 4 billion euros, while French household consumption has declined by 0.5% on average for 2011, partly due to decreased spending on food, according to the National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies in France.
The Colombian group Nutresa will invest $3.4 million in improvements at its plants "Galletas Pozuelo" (cookies) and "Compañía Nacional de Chocolates" (chocolate).
The group has earmarked some $16 million for infrastructure since their arrival in Costa Rica in 2004 when it acquired the plant from the multinational Nestle.
From Colombia, Beatriz Acevedo, communications manager of the company, told EF, "...
Costa Rica wants to join the international organization in order to create a genetic map of the varieties that are planted in the country, and obtain a quality certification.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAG), is promoting the inclusion of Costa Rica into the International Cocoa Organization (ICCO), which will bring great benefits to the sector, for example, mapping all genetic varieties of cocoa in the country and determining denominations of origin and organoleptic qualities that will allow producers to certify that the Costa Rican cacao is "fine" quality and get higher prices in the international market.
The project aims at improving cocoa quality and increasing crop productivity.
The Canadian government is promoting the program through the Honduran Agricultural Research Foundation (FHIA).
The project includes promotion, organization and community support, directly involving the participants in planning and implementation, and will be implemented over a period of 6 years.
The fruit grown in the provinces of Colon, Cocle and Bocas del Toro is consumed in Costa Rica, Brazil and Europe .
Growing international demand for cocoa produced in Panama has led producers to increase acreage and improve product characteristics using genetically improved seeds.
The area used for grain cultivation has grown by 30% in the last five years, reflecting increased interest in production of the desired product, which has also benefited from higher international prices.
With the equivalence renewal, Costa Rica remains in the EU’s list of third party nations, for an unlimited time, and on Switzerland’s list until 2013, allowing it to export organic products to the European market with a certification issued by national certification bodies under Costa Rican regulations and with the supervision of the SFE, an entity qualified at the national level.
A press release from the State Phytosanitary Service reads:
The Acordar partnership has invested about $450 thousand in the construction of the infrastructure.
The new storage facility for the cultivation of cocoa, located in the town of Los Chiles in the province of Rio San Juan, will have a reception area, a fermentation area and two drying tunnels, among other things.
The center has been developed in an area where much of the cocoa that is sold abroad is cultivated.
During the first 11 months of 2010, cocoa and palm oil were the 2 agricultural products which increased their sales the most.
According to the Commerce and Industry Ministry (Mici), cocoa exports increased from $ 957.8 thousand in the first 10 months of 2009 to $ 2.8 million in the same period of 2010. During the same time-frame, palm oil exports rose from $ 781.4 thousand to $ 4.15 million.
With technical assistance and new plantings, the country expects a 25% increase in cocoa production.
Currently there are about 3,700 metric tons planted and are harvested by about 3.000 producers.
Sigloxxi.com reports, “Rolando Say, a specialist for the Tropical Agriculture Research and Education (CATIE), said at a forum that "...with the increase in the number of crops it is expected to improve product quality and reach other market niches.”
From 16 to 20 August some 20 producers from Nicaragua will explore commercial opportunities in the Panamanian marketplace.
The trade mission is made up of producers from several sectors including dairy, coffee, cocoa, seafood, beef, sauces, jams, beans, leather and shoes.
Laprensa.com.ni comments that, "the aim is to demonstrate the great variety of products that Nicaragua has to offer and that could sell well in Panama".
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