The blockade to the entrance of products of animal origin coming from Costa Rica to the Panamanian market, has derived in a commercial conflict in which both countries have their share of responsibility, since the authorities of both nations advocate for protectionist measures.
On July 10, 2020, Panama informed the National Animal Health Service (SENASA), an agency of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock of Costa Rica (MAG), about the decision not to extend the authorization for export to a list of Costa Rican establishments previously authorized and that have been commercializing in the Panamanian market for many years.
After the Panamanian government agreed to ban the entry of animal products from Costa Rica, Panamanian businessmen supported the measure and asked to discuss the export and import requirements, since they claim that their agricultural products are prevented from accessing the Costa Rican market.
The trade dispute began when on July 10 Panama informed the National Animal Health Service (SENASA) of the Costa Rican Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAG) of the decision not to extend export authorization to a list of previously authorized Costa Rican establishments that have been exporting to Panama for many years.
The closure of restaurants and hotels and the restrictions on opening hours in cantonal markets and supermarkets explain the drop in sales reported by agricultural producers.
The Chamber of Agriculture carried out a survey to measure the first economic effects of the covid-19 outbreak in the country, and different agricultural producers', agro-exporters', agro-industrial and agricultural cooperatives' associations were consulted.
For the domicile quarantine decreed in the country, the authorities clarified that the agricultural companies will be able to continue working, as long as they comply with the requirements to operate.
A document from the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAG) explains that agricultural producers and agro-industry collaborators will be able to continue their activities normally, as long as they comply with the requirements for circulation during the quarantine decreed by the Government of the President of the Republic of El Salvador, Nayib Bukele.
An industrial plant for the processing of vegetables, fruits, grains, dairy products, roots and tubers will be built in the canton of Coto Brus, province of Puntarenas.
The Costa Rican government awarded the contract for the construction of this industrial complex to the company Vidalco Empresa Constructora. It is estimated that the overall investment will be approximately $3 million.
In Costa Rica, legislative initiatives are being prepared to restructure the credit portfolios of small and medium agricultural producers affected by climate phenomena.
One of the initiatives includes the purchase of the credit portfolio to readjust the debts of producers affected by climatic phenomena and who are unable to pay. The credits that would be applied in this case would be those of $35,000 or less.
The cultivation, processing and export of coconut and its derivatives, and the transformation of goat activity focused on the manufacture of personal care and health products, are some of the proposals for Costa Rican agriculture to generate greater added value.
A study conducted by FUNDES Strategy identifies new opportunities for Costa Rica's agricultural sector.
During August and September, Costa Rica's monthly agricultural activity index reported a 0.16% and 0.82% year-on-year increase, respectively, reversing the downward trend recorded in previous months.
According to data from the Central Bank of Costa Rica (BCCR), between October 2018 and July 2019 the Monthly Index of Agricultural Activity (IMAGRO) registered negative year-on-year variations.
Anticipating the effects of climate on crops and mitigating their impact is one of the benefits of using techniques to manage large volumes of information.
The agricultural industry is no stranger to the new reality focused on the analysis of large volumes of information and making business decisions based on data.
Just as in the industrial sector the analysis of large volumes of information can minimize costs and improve the performance of a production process, in agriculture the use of these tools allows, among other things, know exactly when a crop has reached its maximum level of hydration.
In Panama, President Cortizo sanctioned the Law that establishes that from 2024, 100% of the resources retained by the Special Interest Compensation Fund will go to the agricultural sector.
In Panama, a bill is planned to convert the provinces of Los Santos and Herrera into a Special Economic Zone, which will offer tax and labor incentives to companies in the agricultural sector that decide to invest in the area.
Representative Julio Mendoza, of the Democratic Revolutionary Party, announced that in the coming weeks he will present a bill to the Assembly to create the Special Economic Zone of Azuero.
Since October 1, Costa Rican producers and suppliers in the agricultural and fishing sector have a special regime for declaring and paying VAT, which provides that coffee producers, sugarcane and beekeepers will make an annual declaration.
The new Special Agricultural Regime (REA) does not change fiscal obligations, but it allows them to be adapted to the particularities of production processes, so as to facilitate compliance, informed the authorities.
The Guatemalan Chamber of Commerce opposes the special tax scheme for agricultural activity approved by Congress, arguing that it is unconstitutional and violates the principles of tax equity.
The new fiscal regime for agriculture, approved last September 24 by the deputies of the Congress of the Republic, has been surrounded by controversy, as from the beginning the chambers of industry and commerce expressed their opposition.
The Guatemalan Congress approved a bill that contemplates the creation of a special tax regime for agricultural activity.
Although this bill was involved in controversy days ago, as the chambers of industry and commerce expressed their opposition, Congress decided to approve the bill. See full bill.
The average tariff applied to imports of agricultural products in Costa Rica is 14.1%, while for imported industrial goods, the levy is 5.6%.
The Trade Policy Review of Costa Rica, prepared by the World Trade Organization (WTO), specifies that sausages and similar products are some of the imports on which the highest tariffs have been imposed.
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...