Non-traditional Fruit Exports, How and Where toFriday, January 27, 2017 New consumption habits in developed markets are creating new opportunities for fruits such as mangosteen, dragon fruit, soursop, passion fruit, gooseberry, ipecac, pejibaye and starfruit. From a report by PROCOMER, Costa Rica entitled "Emerging opportunities in sales of agricultural products" International Agribusiness FairThursday, January 26, 2017 From 23 to 24 March in Antigua, Guatemala, more than 60 international buyers will be taking part in business roundtables with agricultural producers in the region. From a statement issued by Agexport: Guatemala: Agro to grow 3.7% in 2017Wednesday, January 25, 2017 The union projects a 3.7% growth in activity in the agricultural sector, after having achieved an estimated 3.2% increase in 2016. From a statement issued by the Chamber of Agriculture: Costa Rica: Finishing Touches for Exporting Pineapples to ChinaTuesday, January 24, 2017 From February 13 to 17 the last technical mission by Chinese authorities will take place with visits to areas of production and packing plants in Guapiles, Sarapiqui, San Carlos and Upala. From a statement issued by the Ministry of Agriculture: Costa Rica: Barriers to the Dominican AvocadoFriday, December 16, 2016 Delays of up to 23 days are being reported for carrying out the processes to register and bring in the first two shipments of avocados from the Dominican Republic. Costa Rican importers and government officials have denounced the fact that the Dominican Republic took 23 days to process the first shipment that arrived in the country via Puerto Limon, and 20 days for the second shipment. Private Brands are Gaining GroundWednesday, December 7, 2016 Eight out of ten consumers in Europe believe that store brands (MDD in Spanish) or private brands offer quality at a better price. From a report by PROCOMER: New Food Labeling Rules in EuropeTuesday, December 6, 2016 As of December 13 all processed and packaged food and beverages to be sold in the European Union must include detailed nutritional information. From a statement issued by PROCOMER: Costa Rica Opens Trade Office in SpainWednesday, November 23, 2016 The new site will operate in Madrid on the same premises currently occupied by the Embassy of Costa Rica in the European country. From a statement issued by PROCOMER: Europe Refuses to Reopen Market to Costa Rican OrnamentalsTuesday, November 15, 2016 The European Union still has doubts over the presence of the bacterium Xylella fastidiosa in plants of the Phoenix variety and has rejected the request to allow their re-entry from Costa Rica. In a meeting in which producers and exporters of ornamentals did not participate, the State Phytosanitary Service (SFE) put forward the "... European Union Liberates Sugar MarketFriday, October 21, 2016 In October 2017 production limits and the "out of -quota" production concept will eliminate for the manufacture of biofuel and industrial non-food products. The current production quota for sugar according to the European Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), which applies to the 28 countries in the bloc, is 13.5 million tons per year. The production capacity of sugar producers in the European bloc is higher than the quota, therefore eliminating production limits will lead to a lowering of prices due to excess supply, similar to what has already happened in the milk market following the elimination of production quotas. Market Share of Bananas from Costa Rica in EuropeTuesday, October 18, 2016 Costa Rica's share in the market for bananas imported by the European Union increased from 13.7% in 2009 to 15.2% in 2015. The main reason behind the increase is the reduction of tariffs on bananas from Latin America, which fell from 176 euros per ton to 103 euros. European Union Protects its BananasTuesday, September 27, 2016 In Europe an amendment has been approved to protect banana producing countries in the bloc from Latin American competition. The commission voted to "automatically activate a safeguard clause" for bananas from European overseas territories, said the French lawmaker Younous Omarjee from the Socialist Party, in a statement. Lobbying to Reopen Plants Market in EuropeMonday, September 19, 2016 Exporters of ornamental plants are waiting for government approval in order to be part of the delegation which will request the reopening of the European market, which has been closed since May 2015. The Chamber of Producers and Exporters of Plant Products (Caprodex) argues that the request was made on July 8 to the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAG) and there has not yet been a response to the request to attend on September 22 the meeting to be held in Brussels to demand the reopening of the market for ornamental plants from Costa Rica. In May 2015 the European Union banned ornamental coffee plants from Costa Rica and Honduras in order to prevent the entry of the bacteria Xylella fastidiosa. Honduras: Good Times for RambutanWednesday, September 14, 2016 Growth of 40% has been projected in the 2016/17 harvest along with a rebound in sales to major markets which are the main destinations for the exotic fruit, the United States and Europe. Favored by the climate in the area of the Atlantic Coast, where the harvest of this fruit is concentrated, production is estimated to grow by 40% in the 2016/17 harvest. Foreign Trade: Learning from ChileThursday, September 8, 2016 Not fearing free trade, lowering tariffs and facilitating business development are some of the ingredients the Chilean export model that Central America could follow. In an interview with Elfinancierocr.com, ProChile's director, Roberto Paiva, explained that one of the main reasons behind the success of his country's foreign trade model is the high degree of trade liberalization. Not only for having reduced tariffs, but also for "... 'having negotiated trade agreements. We have agreements with Europe and much of Asia. We don't yet have Africa. This opening not only lowers tariffs but brings us closer to the market and the business'. " |
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