The process of fixing prices, the tax structure and lack of investment in distribution are hindering the development of a market with great potential.
From a report by the Department of Agriculture of the United States:
Guatemala is the strongest potential biofuels producer in Central America given the high yields of sugarcane and palm oil and its efficient local industries.
Purchases of fruit and vegetables by the American nation will go from $8.3 to $9 billion between January and August 2014.
The Department of Agriculture in the United States has recorded increases in imports of fresh and processed vegetables, processed fruits and juices, confectionery, meat and derivatives of chocolate and coffee.
From an article by the Costa Rican Foreign Trade Promotion Office (PROCOMER) has:
The number of cattle held by the largest producer of beef in the world is the lowest in the past 63 years, leading to futures prices in January rising to $1,432 per pound of meat.
In the U.S., a shortfall in the amount of livestock is negatively affecting this year's meat production, which is expected to be the lowest in the last two decades, according to the Department of Agriculture (USDA). This industry is worth about $85 billion.
Two new programs propose verification regulations on foreign suppliers for importers of food used for human and animal consumption.
The new rules proposed by the Bureau of Food and Drug Administration of the United States (FDA), is in the process of public review and comment for a period of 120 days.
The first set of rules "... would require U.S. importers to verify that their suppliers produce foods that meet U.S.
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).
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 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.
It has been projected that in 2013 global beef exports will grow by 7.6%, approaching 9 million tons.
From an article by the Costa Rican Trade Promotion Office (PROCOMER):
Projections for 2013 indicate that the expansion of international trade of beef will continue, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), world beef exports will grow by 7.6% and will be located around 9 million tons.
On January 24 the Department of Agriculture of the United States will give a webinar on the PACA Law.
A statement from the Costa Rican Trade Promotion Office (PROCOMER) reads:
This activity will involve two federal officers from the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS for short) and a lawyer specializing in cases related to the implementation of these regulations.
A webinar is to be held on good agricultural practices and handling fresh produce delivered by the Ministry of Agriculture of the United States.
A statement from the Costa Rican Trade Promotion Office (PROCOMER) reads:
The Agricultural Marketing Service of the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) through its program for fruits and vegetables, offers voluntary and independent audits for fresh produce suppliers along the supply chain.
On 16 August the United States Department of Agriculture will conduct a free webinar entitled "Basics of Fresh Produce Inspection."
The trade announcement by the Costa Rica Trade Promotion Office is relevant for other Central American countries too, and refers to a webinar that will be taught by Harry Fisher, spokesman for the Special Division of the USDA Crop Inspection, who will give a practical description of the inspection process, covering topics such as the application of this process, the interpretation of an
The United States Department of Agriculture will apply a new system to examine meat for drugs, pesticides and other harmful agents.
A statement from the Trade Office of Costa Rica (PROCOMER) reads:
The Department of Agriculture (USDA) has issued new regulations for beef and chicken.
The United States Department of Agriculture recently issued new regulations for residues of veterinary drugs in meat from chicken and beef sold in this country.
The USDA has created a website that provides detailed information on the approval process for exporting fruits and vegetables to the U.S. market.
With the aim of increasing the public access in the process of approvals for the importation of fresh produce to the U.S., the USDA has created a new website to provide greater transparency in the various stages of this procedure, according to a newsletter issued by this entity.
Agricultural analysts fear falling prices, and meat importers, potential health consequences.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has confirmed a fourth case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), popularly known as mad cow disease in a dairy cow in central California, reported the AFP.
"Agricultural analysts stressed that this issue is ‘not positive’ for the price of corn, the cereal consumed by cattle.
The U.S. is strengthening its controls on the entry of ornamental plants especially from the Dracaena genus.
The legislation prohibits the entry of the plants of more than 18 inches or where the material in which the root is transported has been used before. The rule is already in place but from June 1 it will now be enforced with no exceptions. Products that do not comply with the rules will be destroyed or re-exported.