The Ministry of Foreign Trade (COMEX), the Costa Rican Foreign Trade Promoter (PROCOMER), and the logistics company COSCO Shipping Lines are assessing the establishment of a new direct route between the ports of Moin and Shanghai, which could cut the time to ship products to China from 39 days to only 23. In addition to this reduction, Costa Rican companies in the Asian market could benefit from competitive rates, an increase in the frequency of departures and the possibility of obtaining complementary services, such as a controlled atmosphere, by the shipping company.
The new route was launched with three pilot plans. The first shipment left Moín on September 23 with 31 containers of pineapple and bananas, among other products, and arrived in Shanghai on October 16, maintaining the quality, color, and ripening of the fruit. The next shipments to Shanghai are scheduled by COSCO Shipping Lines for the end of October and November.
Trade relations between Costa Rica and China were formalized in 2011 with the signing of a Free Trade Agreement (FTA). According to the Foreign Trade Promoter (Procomer), Costa Rica exported 194.4 million dollars to China during 2018, i.e. 116.3 million more than in 2014. In 2018, exports to Asian countries generated $239.7 million dollars in trade with Japan, 81.2 million with Hong Kong, 36.8 million with South Korea, and 35.9 million with India.
Therefore, in addition to the possibility of increasing exports to China, the Moín-Shanghai direct route could have an impact on the rest of the Asian markets.
Source: crhoy.com
