According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, the Costa Rican agricultural sector has lost more than $ 37 million because of the roadblocks carried out by different groups of protesters that are against an eventual agreement between the government and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
According to a statement from the Ministry, banana producers have been the most affected, with losses that amount to $ 28,930,760, followed by pineapple producers with $ 7,500,000, and producers of roots and tubers with $ 350,000. This amount includes the production trapped in the blockages and the products that couldn't be taken out of the farms.
The most affected companies include the Camara de Piñeros Unidos, Congelados y Jugos del Valle Verde SA, Golden Bio Fructus, Inversiones Piña Alegre, Tropicales del Valle, and Exportaciones Norteñas.
In addition, there are 10 trucks loaded with cassava trapped in the blockages, with estimated losses of $ 1,500,000; 10 pumpkin trucks, with losses of $ 100,000; and 30 containers of chayote, with losses that could amount to $ 450,000.
According to the Government, the blockades also affect the production shifts of these companies, which work 24 hours a day, because they have impacted the travel routes of their personnel, specifically those located in the Western region.
The companies affected claim they've had losses due to the interruption of operations at their farms and because they've had to destroy the production that couldn't be taken out of the farms in time. Additionally, they indicated, there had been a loss of employment in the national agricultural sector.
Source: crhoy.com
