Following Costa Rica's decision to impose requirements on the entry of avocados grown in Honduras, Costa Rican businessmen believe that these unilateral measures could generate trade retaliation for the country.
Arguing that molecular biology tests detected the presence of the Avocado Sunblotch viroid in shipments from Honduras, the Costa Rican State Phytosanitary Service (SFE) decided to start taking samples to analyze Honduran avocados.
Arguing that through molecular biology tests the presence of the Avocado Sunblotch viroid was detected in shipments from Honduras, Costa Rican authorities decided to impose requirements on the entry of the fruit produced in Honduran territory.
Fernando Araya, Director of the State Phytosanitary Service (SFE), confirmed on May 25, 2021 that "... from this moment on, when samples are taken for analysis by the Molecular Biology Laboratory of avocado shipments from Honduras, these will be retained and will be released once a negative result for Avocado Sunblotch viroid (ASBVd) is obtained. The above in compliance with the responsibility to prevent the introduction and spread of pests that threaten food security and economic activity based on agricultural production."
In recent years, regional avocado exports have gained importance, as in 2018 they amounted to $2.8 million, in 2019 they climbed to $10.9 million and in 2020 they rose to $11.9 million.
Figures from the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with the graph"]
Encouraging production and raising the quality standards of the fruit are some of the challenges that Guatemala faces in order to take advantage of the multiple opportunities that exist in the international market.
It is estimated that worldwide the demand for avocado grows at a 10% annual rate and in its best season the fruit is quoted in Asian and European markets up to $1.75 per unit.
The plan is to increase the area devoted to avocado plantations in the country to 5 thousand hectares, with the aim of meeting part of local demand, which is currently mainly met with imports.
According to estimates by the authorities, the local market annually demands close to 16 thousand tons of avocado and to achieve the demand some productive projects are being developed.
The guild of merchants in Cortés is looking for avocado producers are interested in selling the product in Kuwait.
The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Cortes (CCIC) has announced that through the Embassy of Honduras in Kuwait it has started calling on avocado producers who may be interested in exporting their product to the Middle East country.
Spanish investors have announced an interest in local production of 1200 hectares of avocado, 800 of mangos, 300 of papaya, and 1,500 of organic coffee.
The Agribusiness director at the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock in Honduras, Francisco Herrera, confirmed to Laprensa.hn that a group of Spanish investors requested a letter of intent from the Government of Honduras to find local partners linked to the production of mangos, papaya, chilla and avocado.
Given the prohibition of entry imposed by Costa Rica, avocado exporters are trying to sell the fruit in new destinations, foreseeing a drop in prices after the next harvest.
Lower prices are expected in two months, at the moment of the strongest stage of the harvest, which they hope to sell in other countries in the region such as El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua.