The lack of incentives, the disorder to apply the legislation and the complexity of producing in areas that are surrounded by traditional crops, are some of the factors that hinder the development of organic agriculture in Costa Rica.
In the last decade, the area planted to organic agriculture has fallen. Data from the program of Accreditation and Registration in Agriculture (ARAO) specify that in 2010 the area amounted to 11,115 hectares and in 2019 fell to 8,832 hectares, equivalent to a decrease of 21%.
Guatemalan Foragro, manufacturer of insecticides, fungicides and herbicides, opened a branch in Panama and aims in the short term to position 50 products in the local market.
The company reported that for the opening of its branch in the Panamanian market invested $300,000 and that this would have a presence in all Central American countries, as they already operate in El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua and Costa Rica.
In Panama complaints have been made that "industrial companies that import raw materials to produce food have been unjustly blocked because they do not have health permits in place, which is due to the process and the times involved in their renewal."
In response to the technical audits carried out by the Food Safety and Customs authorities, industrial companies denounced the blocking of several food importing companies.In a statement, the Trade Union of Industrialists of Panama (SIP) indicated that "... the lack of institutional coordination and limited resources of public bodies are making it impossible for us to export and be competitive. We have the AUPSA which is 'very complacent' with the import process; while with the permits and procedures for the local and international market, it is the opposite case".
After four years of registering reductions in purchases of fertilizer from abroad, in 2017 the country imported $146 million worth, 20% more than was reported in 2016.
Figures from the information system on the Central American Fertilizer Market, compiled by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption = "Click to interact with the graph"]
Although businessmen in the sector claim to have enough supplies to meet demand in the agricultural cycle, the crisis in Nicaragua is causing problems in the transportation of goods.
Distributors of agrochemicals report that due to the political crisis and the multiple closures and demonstrations on roads in the country, the main challenge they face is the transporting products to different areas of the country.
In 2017, purchases from Central American countries totaled $759 million, 25% more than the previous year's imports, in contrast to the fall reported between 2015 and 2016.
Figures from the information system on the Central American Fertilizer Market, compiled by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption = "Click to interact with the graph"]
In 2017, countries in Central America imported $18 million worth of fertilizers from Mexico, a figure which is 61% more than what was purchased in 2016.
Figures from the information system on the the Fertilizer Market in Central America, compiled by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption = "Click to interact with graph"]
On May 17 and 18, agroindustrial companies in the region will be meeting in San Pedro Sula, where products will be exhibited and business appointments held.
In the IV edition of the Agromercados 2018 fair, which will take place at the San Pedro Sula Expo Center, the participation of at least 800 companies is expected.
Agricultural machinery and equipment, retreads and tires for machinery could be exempt from 13% VAT, if the substitute text of tax reform that is being discussed in the Legislative Assembly is approved.
The same exoneration would apply to books in all their formats, which in the original bill presented by the government had a differentiated rate of 4%.
The Ministry of National Defense in Guatemala is putting out to tender a supply of ingredients for food preparation, to supply its different dependencies.
From January to November 2017, Central American countries imported 19,000 tons of food supplies from Mexico, 10% more than the amount purchased in the same period in 2016.
Figures from the information system on the the Food Preparation Ingredients Market in Central America, compiled by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption = "Click to interact with graph"]
In 2016, Costa Rica imported $142 million worth of fertilizers, 23% less than the $183 million worth imported in 2015.
Figures from the information system on the the Fertilizer Market in Costa Rica, compiled by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData: [GRAFICA caption = "Click to interact with the graph"]
A law that is being discussed in the Congress of Costa Rica "would allow associations of activists to decide what individuals will produce, what shops will sell and what consumers are going to eat, with no technical or scientific basis."
From a statement issued by the Costa Rican Chamber of the Food Industry:
Deputies push intervention law that will affect food production
On October 24th, a meeting of cocoa producers will be held in San Pedro Sula, where topics such as genetics and market opportunities will be discussed.
The forum, organized by the National Association of Cocoa Producers in Honduras, is expected to involve 400 producers and members of the National Committee of the Cocoa Chain.
Recognized Brazilian company of backhoe loaders, telescopic, articulated and other types of cranes looking for companies interested in representing the brand and distributing their machinery in Central America and Mexico. The company manufactures and sells telescopic,...
Operating Company dedicated to the manufacture of gluten-free and sugar-free products, OHNE brand. The OHNE brand has 8 product lines: square bread, sweet...
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