The agricultural sector, which currently leads exports to the European Union, will be strengthened by the departure of the manufacturing business from Intel and by the increase in trade that said sector is going to have with the EU.
Currently, agricultural products represent 52.89% of sales to the EU, but their share will rise by said factors.
Procomer and entrepreneurs expect there will be an increase in trade with Europe that will benefit the agro industrial sector because of what was agreed in the Association Agreement between Central America and the EU (AACUE).
According to data from Procomer, to date, the EU market is of paramount importance for fresh produce such as pineapple, banana, foliage and leaves, sugar and ornamental plants.
In addition, Costa Rica is Central America's largest exporter to the EU, with nearly 50% of total sales.
Juan Rafael Lizano, president of the National Chamber of Agriculture and Agribusiness (CNAA), said that agricultural products were already being exported free of taxes to the EU, thus, they didn't expect the AACUE to bring a significant increase.
However, as, on October 1, the agreement with Costa Rica will have been enforced for one year, expectations are there will be a gradual increase in agribusiness sales and those of the chemical industry.
According to Ariana Tristan, Market Research Coordinator for Procomer, and Monica Segnini, president of the Chamber of Exporters of Costa Rica, that will help maintain a positive trade balance.
52% of the pineapple that Costa Rica exports is sent to the European market. Last year, the country sold $384 million dollars of pineapples to the European Union, 3% more than in 2012, according to Procomer.
Tristan recommends the companies contemplate obtaining environmental and social certifications as they increase the opportunities for the products.
Meanwhile, Segnini said the EU offers many new market options, but requires health, environmental and social certifications, i.e. high quality standards.
As an example, she spoke about the papaya, for which they have already identified opportunities that are pending on the approval of sanitary permits. She also spoke about the opportunities for frozen fruits or roots such as cassava, which depend on the installation of high-tech cooling devices that preserve their taste, texture, flavour and other characteristics.
Source: La Nacion Costa Rica