As a result of the blockade that has been in place since July 2020 on the entry of animal products from Costa Rica into the Panamanian market, Costa Rican exports to Panama are reported to have fallen and companies such as Dos Pinos are reporting losses in the millions.
The trade conflict began when Panama informed the National Animal Health Service (SENASA), an agency of Costa Rica's Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAG), of the decision not to extend export authorization to a list of previously authorized Costa Rican establishments that have been trading in the Panamanian market for many years.
Betting on food that involves an industrial process, focusing on markets that are not saturated and on the trends that predominate among consumers are some of the strategies that could multiply the income of agricultural producers.
It is estimated that the sale of dried pineapple reaches a value on the international market of 1,600% higher than the price achieved by selling it fresh. In the case of dried mango, the difference amounts to 1.512%.
Between 2017 and 2018, milk sales from Costa Rica to Panama fell 24%, explained by increased competition, while exports to Guatemala and the Dominican Republic increased 21% and 13%, respectively.
According to figures from the Promotora del Comercio Exterior (Procomer), between 2017 and 2018 sales to Panama of milk and cream not concentrated and concentrated registered a 24% decline, falling from $7.5 million to $5.6 million.
Costa Rican entrepreneurs are concerned about the impact of the crisis in the neighboring country on food exports, which between 2015 and 2017 grew at an average annual rate of 4%.
According to figures from the Promotora del Comercio Exterior (Procomer), last year Costa Rica's food industry exports amounted to $1.618 billion, which is equivalent to an increase of 4.7% compared to the amount reported in 2016.
In Costa Rica the exporter's union has stated that complying with the new regulations of weighing containers will raise costs and affect their already deteriorating competitiveness.
The new rules for certifying the weight of maritime cargo to be adhered to under the SOLAS convention will come into effect on July 1, 2016, and Costa Rican exporters are already raising their voices to denounce the impact it will have on their cost structure.
The British government has announced a new tax for drinks with high sugar content, excluding milk and natural fruit juices, which will take effect in 2018.
From a statement issued by the Foreign Trade Office of Costa Rica:
The British government has announced the introduction within two years of a new tax on sugary drinks, in order to raise funds for the State and at the same time fight against obesity.
Keeping pace with growing consumer demand, there is an increased presence of fresh fruits on the menus of the restaurants in the U.S.
Changes in consumer habits have led to restaurant operators putting fresh food on their menus all year round, in addition to local seasonal fruit fruit.
From an article by the Costa Rican Foreign Trade Promotion Office (PROCOMER):
In recent years dairy imports increased by between 20% and 30% a year, since China can not meet domestic demand with its own production.
From an article by the Costa Rican Foreign Trade Promotion Office (PROCOMER):
Growing demand for dairy products in China, at present, not can not be met by domestic production, therefore it will remain a major importer of dairy products internationally.
On 26 and 27 November, the Hotel Real Intercontinental in San Jose, Costa Rica will host a business meeting between China and Latin America.
The China Latin America and the Caribbean Business Summit is the most important business meeting for trade and investment between Latin America and the Asian giant, which seeks to promote and strengthen trade and investment opportunities which have opened up between China and Latin America in recent years.
The country imports 90% of flowers demanded making it the second biggest buyer of the product within the European Union.
A statement from the Foreign Trade Promotion Office of Costa Rica (PROCOMER) reads:
In the UK there is a population of nearly 63 million people with high absorption capacity and a culture of acquisition of flowers, which determines that this country is the second largest importer of flowers and ornamental foliage within the European Union.
The Costa Rican Foreign Trade Promotion Office has identified more than 500 products with the potential to be sold to the South American giant.
Conclusions from the Brazil Market Mapping study by the Costa Rican Foreign Trade Promotion Office:
The dynamism of the Brazilian economy, diversification of production and population size are factors that make this country a strategic partner and an option for diversifying Costa Rican exports of value added products.
Despite being a major producer of canned tuna in Europe, Italians import 87,000 tonnes a year in order to meet domestic demand.
From an article by the Costa Rican Foreign Trade Promotion Office (PROCOMER):
Italy consumes a significant amount of tuna, in canned form and yellow fin and bluefin tuna, which is equivalent to about 141,000 tons per year, 2.3 kg per capita, valued at $1.47 billion.
"Global Gap" and "Fair Trade", are the most required certifications when exporting agricultural products.
From an article by the Costa Rican Foreign Trade Promotion Office (PROCOMER):
The most sought after quality seals this year by the major agricultural export markets are Global Gap, which applies to fruits and vegetables, and Fair Trade, which ensures companies are socially responsible, said Armando Bonifaz, specialist in certifications marks and general manager of the certifying entity BCS OKO Garantie.
As of July 9 full legislation comes into full effect which seeks to prevent the entry of weapons or contraband into the United States.
From an article by the Costa Rican Foreign Trade Promotion Office (PROCOMER):
On November 25, 2008, the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) published the regulations for Importer Security Filing (ISF 10 +2) which requires importers and carriers to submit additional cargo information to the CBP before the goods are shipped to the U.S.
Countries such as the Netherlands import 98% of their canned tuna in different varieties, including in water, in olive oil, in sunflower oil, and with hot sauce, among other varieties.
From an article by the Costa Rican Trade Promotion Office (PROCOMER):
98.5% of the tuna that is imported from Holland is of the canned variety and in comes different formats, in water, in olive oil, in sunflower oil, and with hot sauce, among other varieties.