In terms of how modern the infrastructure for air transport is, Panama leads the field, followed distantly by Costa Rica.
"None of the airports in Central America comes close to knocking Tocumen off its number one position in the ranking by Skytrax, nor the ranking by the World Economic Forum. The latter measures the quality of infrastructure for air travel in the country , where Panama climbed from 38th place in 2007 to last year reach the prestigious position of sixth place," reported Elsalvador.com.
In a country where every person consumes 12 kg of bananas per year, the supply of fair trade bananas is relatively limited.
From an article by the Costa Rica Foreign Trade Promotion Office (PROCOMER):
In 2012 about 8,900 tonnes of Fairtrade bananas from different countries were sold in Sweden. This is a great market for fruits and vegetables, because the county's natural conditions only allow it to produce limited quantities of agricultural products. Also in this market there is greater awareness and concern for environmental sustainability, and how consumers can contribute to social causes, providing opportunities for products that protect the environment or that are linked to a social cause.
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.
Mexico, Spain and Poland are looking to position themselves as medical tourism destinations competing with the traditional ones such as India, Thailand, Brazil and Turkey.
From an article by the Costa Rican Trade Promotion Office (PROCOMER):
Besides traditional competitors such as India, Thailand, Brazil and Turkey, new international players such as Mexico, Spain and Poland are now seeking to position themselves as medical tourism destinations. On the one hand is Poland, which through a government program is trying to promote itself as a good country in which to find health treatment, rehabilitation, diagnosis and aesthetics services and, through its participation in three consecutive fairs (Miami 2012, Moscow and Monaco in March 2013), has managed to be taken into account by the experts as a new player in this market.
A new law establishes that labels must identify the country or countries where every step of production took place, such as birth, rearing and slaughter of the animal.
From an article by the Costa Rican Trade Promotion Office (PROCOMER):
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has issued a final rule to amend the provisions of labeling for cuts of beef under the program Country of Origin Labeling (COOL).
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.
Plans are underway in Chicago, USA to open a cargo center for perishable goods which includes flowers, one of the foremost products in the perishable goods category.
From an article by the Costa Rican Trade Promotion Office (PROCOMER):
Market development of floriculture in the U.S. has shifted mainly towards determining the capacity of distribution centers.
An announcement has been made of new nutritional standards to be implemented in schools across the country, which include foods groups such as whole grains, low-fat dairy, fruits, vegetables and protein.
From an article by the Costa Rican Trade Promotion Office (PROCOMER):
The Secretary of Agriculture of the United States, Tom Vilsack, announced that under new nutrition standards to be applied in schools across the country, Smart Snacks in School, students will have a greater choice of healthy foods.
The economic crisis facing the country is causing consumers to be more cautious in their purchases, consulting web sites rather than going directly to dealers.
From an article by the Costa Rican Trade Promotion Office (PROCOMER):
The biggest concern of the Italians is their economy, this has resulted in a consumer who is more aware and more cautious in their decisions, spending less and being more selective.
Consumers in China are choosing international brands, in 2012 the consumption of coffee surpassed 70 thousand tons and in 2013 it is expected to reach more than 95 thousand tons.
From an article by the Costa Rican Trade Promotion Office (PROCOMER):
The growing demand for coffee in the Chinese market, which traditionally used to be focused on tea consumption, presents a great opportunity for exporters of this product.
A good marketing strategy in promoting organic products is to include ethical statements to help producers to differentiate themselves from their competitors.
From an article by the Costa Rican Trade Promotion Office (PROCOMER):
A study in five European countries which was recently published in the magazine Appetite, suggests including ethical statements in the promotion of organic products is a good marketing strategy for differentiating yourself.
A decline in farmed shrimp production in Mexico could generate opportunities in Europe, America, and Japan for regional producers.
From an article by the Costa Rican Foreign Trade Promotion Office (PROCOMER):
Producers of shrimp raised in farms in Sinaloa are facing a serious illness, which has already caused a high mortality rate and millions in economic losses.
The FDA has released a new version of its guidelines on good manufacturing practices for the cosmetics industry, with the aim of standardizing procedures.
From an article by the Costa Rican Foreign Trade Promotion Office (PROCOMER):
The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has published a guide that provides guidance on good manufacturing practices in the cosmetics industry, with the goal of helping identify the standards and factors which have an affect of the quality of products.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has approved the use of a label for meat and poultry which certifies it is free of genetically modified organisms.
From an article by the Costa Rican Trade Promotion Office (PROCOMER):
The Department of Agriculture (USDA) has approved a label for meat and poultry products which states that they are free of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) or transgenic substances.