Costa Rica has updated the mandatory phytosanitary measures for imports, while in Guatemala protocols are being implemented in the fields where the fruit is harvested, because of the threat of Fusarium R4T disease.
Mexico asks to inspect Costa Rican farms to determine if it is true that the sustain is not in the crops, to which local producers oppose.
In December 2018, the phytosanitary and livestock authorities of Costa Rica and Mexico agreed on a procedure to end almost four years of trade conflict, which arose from the barriers imposed on the entry of avocado to the Costa Rican market.
Pineapples, bananas and sugar cane represent 98% of total exports of organic products from Costa Rica to ten European Union countries.
Germany, Belgium, Denmark, Spain, the Netherlands, Italy, Latvia, France, Switzerland and the United Kingdom are the nine European markets where Costa Rica exports its organic agricultural production, mainly made up of sugar, bananas, coffee and pineapples, cocoa, papaya, guava and carambola.
The delay in phytosanitation studies by the Ministry of Agriculture has stalled the process for starting imports of avocados from the Dominican Republic.
Even though it has been a month since the Chamber of Exporters and Importers of Perishable Goods asked to be able to start the process of importing avocados from the Caribbean island, a delay in carrying out a study on the part of the State Phytosanitary Service (SFE) has prevented this from happening.
Guatemala and Mexico have triggered a mechanism of "commercial concern" over restrictions on the importation of Hass avocado imposed by Costa Rica.
There will be a period of 60 days for Costa Rica to respond to the concerns presented by the delegations from Mexico and Guatemala in the Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures at the World Trade Organization.
US phytosanitary authorities have warned of an increase in the presence of pests in pineapple and chayote containers entering the country and may decide to limit their entry.
Any restriction on the import of pineapples and grapefruits could have significant effects on the agricultural export sector of Costa Rica, as the US currently buys half of its pineapple export production, whereas in the case of chayote, dependence is greater, and the North American country is the destination for almost all exports of this vegetable.
After blocking the import of fruit from Mexico, the State Phytosanitary Service has announced that it is seeking permission to import from Peru, Nicaragua, Chile and Panama.
Although importers and marketers of the fruit in the country insist that the ban of imports of Mexican Hass avocados has no technical basis and is generating shortages in the local market, the State Phytosanitary Service (SFE) is maintaining its position and has announced that it is processing the permission to bring in the fruit from other markets.
The major supermarket chains foresee shortages in the coming weeks and are negotiating with importers to buy the product from alternative markets to the Mexican market.
The difference in the figures related to this category given by the two recognized institutions has caused criticism which has called into question the accuracy of the data presented by the Costa Rican government.
Currently the State Phytosanitary Service (SFE) records statistics on imports and exports of agro reformulations, but these data do not match those collected by other institutions related to the sector.
Industrialist point out that the declaration of shortage of grain by the government has failed to solve the problem in the local market, where the price of a kilo has increased by $1.
The National Association of Manufacturers of Beans in Costa Rica (Anifri) argues that the change in the verification of phytosanitary measures by the Ministry of Agriculture is the cause of the grain shortages and price increases in the country.
Producers in the sector are warning about a growth in contraband of agricultural products encouraged by a price differential and lack of border controls.
The border between Costa Rica and Panama, according to producers in the area, has become a corridor for the smuggling of agricultural goods. The large number of border posts (about 80) and the considerable distances, make it very difficult to control the movement of goods.
In the last 22 years 10,600 hectares of GM crops have been cultivated for biotech research purposes or for seed production.
In Costa Rica genetically modified crops have been planted since 1991, when the national company Los Gansos S. A. applied for permits to import and plant genetically modified soy.
Despite the heated controversy caused by the acquisition of a license by the company DPL seeds to plant 0.9 hectares of GM maize, the story of these crops is not a new issue in the country. An article in Nacion.com reports that "it began 22 years ago and since then 68 licenses have been granted, both for research and for the development of seeds."
A group of environmental organizations renewed their complaints about the environmental and social impact of the expansion of pineapple cultivation in Costa Rica.
Since 2007 Costa Rica has held the title of the world's leading exporter of pineapples. Producer’s expectations are to maintain "export growth of between 8% and 10%." Pineapples, along with bananas and coffee, represent 78% of the exports of the entire agricultural sector.
The Costa Rican customs office at Penas Blancas, on the border with Nicaragua, is going through social and commercial chaos pending reforms in infrastructure and procedures.
Delays in the passage of trucks carrying goods are causing major losses to exporters, although business chambers have not conducted any specific studies, said Mario Montero, executive vice president of the Costa Rican Chamber of the Food Industry (Cacia).
Costa Rican exporters sending ornamental plants of the species Dracena spp to the U.S.A must be certified.
In addition to the certification issued by the State Phytosanitary Service (SFE), the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAG) and the United States Department of Agriculture, producers must also enroll in the Healthy Propagative Material Program.
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