Good Grades for Central American CoffeesFriday, April 24, 2009 Coffees from farms in Panama, Guatemala and Costa Rica took the top places in the international competition organized by the Rainforest Alliance. In the event held in California and New York, 80 farms certified by the institution from 11 nations participated. Nicaragua to Host Cup of ExcellenceMonday, May 18, 2009 Thirty-two judges from different countries will come together until May 22 in Nicaragua to select the best coffee at the Cup of Excellence competition. The final stage will take place in Estelí, where participating coffees will be valued in the search for potential buyers, and the best coffee in Nicaragua will be selected. $14 million boost for African palm project in GuatemalaTuesday, July 1, 2008 Palmas del Ixcán, a subsidiary of Green Earth Fuels is developing a model ecological plantation of African palm in Guatemala. The company is investing US$14 million in the project. Green Earth Fuels – a subsidiary of the Riverstone Holdings, Carlyle Group and Goldman Sachs investment funds – says the project will ensure a major cash injection for a very poor region, where subsistence farming has done considerable damage to forests. Hershey Sizing Up Honduras as a Cocoa ProviderTuesday, December 2, 2014 The government has announced that it is in talks with US company to offer conditions to install a chocolate producing plant in the country. A visit has been scheduled for January 2015 for businessmen from The Hershey Company, who will verify the quality of Honduran cacao as a raw material for producing chocolate. In addition, the government of Honduras is looking to negotiate with the company over the installation of a processing plant in order to distribute the finished product from Honduras to major world markets. Increased Consumption of Fresh Fruit in CanadaTuesday, November 13, 2012 A survey entitled The Packer's Fresh Trends 2012 has revealed an increase in the consumption of fresh fruits mainly in people between 21 and 39 years old and in those over 59 years old. A press release from Procomer states: Lack of Sugar in the U.S.Thursday, September 1, 2011 Central American producers will benefit from an increase in export quotas to the northern country. The damage caused by drought to sugar cane in Mexico, a leading provider to the U.S., has meant a reduction in supply by 200 thousand metric tons, therefore, according to an analysis published by The Wall Street Journal- import quotas assigned to Central American countries will be increased in order to meet domestic demand. Requirements for Export of Perishable Agricultural Products to the USThursday, January 10, 2013 The entry into force last 1st January of amendments to the PACA Act will require the review of the labeling and packaging of anything due to be exported to the United States. PACA is the acronym for "The Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act", a U.S. law that regulates interstate and international trade in fruits, vegetables, roots and herbs, fresh or frozen. Panamanian Geisha Coffee Bought for $350 Per PoundThursday, July 4, 2013 The final price of the aromatic grain from the farm Hacienda La Esmeralda reached a record high during the online auction entitled "The Best of Panama 2013". Prensa.com reports that "the grain was purchased by the companies Saza Coffee, in Japan, and Haaya Gourmet Coffee, in Taiwan". Global Interest in Panamanian Coffee AuctionThursday, June 6, 2013 More than 44 international buyers have already enrolled in the online auction known as "The Best of Panama". "Companies from Australia, Korea, France and Taiwan will participate for the first time in the online coffee auction, which will take place on June 11 in the district of Boquete, Chiriqui", reported Prensa.com. More Fresh Tropical Fruit on the TableTuesday, September 25, 2012 In U.S. restaurants tropical fruits at are fast becoming favorites. A statement from the Costa Rican Foreign Trade Promotion Office (PROCOMER) reads: Projects to Protect Guatemalan ForestsTuesday, November 2, 2010 The Rainforest Alliance promotes four conservation programs in the Petén jungle. Rainforest Alliance stated that Peten forest losses represent almost 60% of all deforestation in Guatemala and that this is caused by people engaging in subsistence activities (maize and livestock). Alliance to Improve Coffee QualityTuesday, June 23, 2009 Costa Rica and Guatemala, together with Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, and Kenya will participate in the “Ecocolaboration” program of the Rainforest Alliance. The Rainforest Alliance created an alliance with Nestlé Nespresso that aims to have 80% of their coffee coming from Rain Forest Alliance Certified farms by the year 2013. Tomato OilTuesday, September 18, 2012 A study shows tomato seeds can be used as a raw material for obtaining a oil with high antioxidant properties. A statement from the Costa Rican Trade Promotion Office (PROCOMER) reads: “Cup of Excellence” will Select Best Coffee in Costa RicaThursday, April 28, 2011 For a week starting from May 9 a group of national and international tasters will be choosing Costa Rica's best coffee. Judges from Brazil, the United States, Japan, Germany, Holland, England, Russia, Norway and New Zealand will participate in the decisive stage of Cup of Excellence competition. The winning selections of grain varieties will be auctioned on the internet on June 21. Funding for Forestry Companies in GuatemalaTuesday, April 27, 2010 A joint venture between IDB and financing company “Financiera de Occidente S.A.” will support the domestic rural forestry industry. Luis Alejandro Mejía is the head of Eco-Business at Occidente Financial Group. He was quoted by Elperiodico.com.gt as saying that “this program is valuable because the resources donated by IDB will be used to create financial products with preferential rates”. |
|