The country has established greater inspection controls on shipments of fruits and vegetables in order to avoid larvae and mosquitoes carrying the Zika virus from gaining a foothold.
From a statement issued by PROCOMER:
As a result of the United States being officially on the list of countries infected by Zika, exporters who send fruit to China will have to take extra precautions before exporting to the asian country.
Honduran businessmen project that exports will increase when the new airport starts operating, and they are negotiating with the concessionaire for the cargo area to be larger than planned.
Exporting companies are those that have the highest expectations for the construction of the new international airport, the construction and operation of which has now been granted in concession to the Spanish company EMCO.
An announcement has been made of a new "Honduras Premium" label to certify the safety of exported fruit and vegetables.
In order to sell horticultural products that comply with food safety management systems, the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (SAG), through the National Agricultural Health Service (SENASA) and the Foundation for Rural Business Development (Funder ) with support from the Regional Programme (USAID) Trade and Marketing Alliances, today launched the Premium Honduras Seal of Approval.
Between 2009 and 2013 the consumption of fresh fruits in the northern country increased 6%, while in the same period vegetable consumption went up by 5%.
From a statement issued by the Costa Rican Foreign Trade Promotion Office (Procomer):
The Canadian market for fresh fruits and vegetables is estimated to be worth $11.2 billion a year. The average Canadian buys fresh produce at least once a week and consumes three to five servings per day, well below the eight to ten servings recommended by Canada's Food Guide.
The growth of imports of these products in the Nordic country increases the importance of the FTA which came into effect recently between this nation and some Central American countries.
From an article by the Costa Rican Foreign Trade Promotion Office (PROCOMER):
Decrease in production and increase in imports of fruits and vegetables in Norway
Approval is being awaited for the use of this labeling method on other fruits and vegetables in the next twelve months.
From a statement issued by the Costa Rican Foreign Trade Promotion Office:
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a laser coding system using natural light for use on citrus products, while leaving approval for other fruits and still pending but it is expected that this approval will come within a period of not more than 12 months.
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 increase in demand for these products is an opportunity for Central American producers.
From a statement by the Costa Rican Trade Promotion Office:
"Fruits and vegetables play a vital role in the daily diet of Singaporean families. In 2011 the per capita fruit consumption was 66 kg. Vegetables on the other hand reached a per capita consumption of 95 kg, according the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA).
The European Commission has approved the use of iron oxides and hydroxides for direct labeling fruits or vegetables using lasers.
From an article by the Costa Rica Foreign Trade Promotion Office (PROCOMER):
The European Commission (EC) approved on June 3 the use of iron oxides and hydroxides on the surface of fruits or vegetables by laser, these components contribute to the marking of product information and may be substituted for labels made of adhesive paper.
So far in 2013, exports of Honduran fruits and vegetables are almost triple total exports in 2012, when sales showed a significant decline.
In the Valley of Comayagua the number of containers shipped overseas went from 1,700 in 2012 to about 4,100 containers during the first quarter of this year.
According to Roger Cruz, phytoprotectionist at the National Health Service (SENASA), "the rebound in crops is due to producers having been conscientious in crop management, containers detained because of pests have so far been zero and this is the result of a series of training sessions given to farmers to ensure quality products," he added.
Rambutan, mangosteen, mango, cardamom, achiote, pepper, and other fruits and vegetables, are the products that are being offered in several Chinese cities.
A statement from the Costa Rican Trade Promotion Office (PROCOMER) reads:
Guatemalan agricultural products are seeking to enter the Chinese market
In order to open new markets for Guatemalan agricultural exporters, representatives from the Guatemalan Association of Exporters (AGEXPORT), public-private institutions, the PACIT trade program and entrepreneurs will be on a mission to Asia, from the August 31 to September 10.
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.
Procomer's latest research reveals that many opportunities exist for doing business in Canadian markets.
Canadian consumption of premium quality fruit and vegetables offers Costa Rican producers attractive possibilities for new export markets, a study by the country's export promotion agency, Procomer, reveals.
"Currently, the main exports to Canada are textiles, prosthetic limbs and tires, although some fresh Costa Rican products such as pineapple and coffee are exported," reports Elfinancierocr.com.
A delegation representing 30 horticultural businesses from Holland will arrive in the first week of September.
The companies will hold meetings with their Honduran counterparts and visit the main fruit and vegetable producing regions of the country.
"Several Honduran companies have successfully exported their products to Holland, which represents a positive precedent to establishing new trade channels with the old continent," Juan Carlos Ordóñez, Honduran vice-minister for Livestock, commented to La Tribuna.