POST Online Media Lite Edition



 

Ban on Mexican avocado increases prices by 90% in Costa Rica

Staff writer |
As a result of the ban on Mexican Hass avocados, avocado prices in Costa Rica are 90% more expensive than in 2015 and there has been an increase in the smuggling of this fruit from Panama.

Article continues below






According to data from the Comprehensive Agricultural Marketing Program (PIMA) of the National Center for Food Supply and Distribution (CENADA), the ban, which was adopted by the National Phytosanitary Service (SFE), under the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAG) in May 2015, had an almost immediate impact on the price of a 10 kilo box of avocado.

Just two months after the measure, a box of avocados on the wholesale market increased by 33.33%, from 16,000 colones -in May- to 24,000 colones in July.

Due to the lack of avocado, Costa Rica had to buy them from Chile; however, they were only able to covered 35% of the amount that Mexico shipped to the country so prices continued to increase.

During this year, price differences in imported avocados have been more drastic. In January the box of avocados was sold for 21,000 colones, 70.5% more expensive than in previous years; in February the difference was 64.1%; in March, 57.3%, and during April the box is selling at 29,000 colones, i.e. 87.5% more expensive than in previous years.

The avocados imported from Chile and the national produced avocado does not satisfy Costa Rican consumers, who constantly complain about the lack of the Mexican product in social networks.

Restaurants and hotels have reported that 20% of the avocado they have is wasted because consumers don't like it and must pay more for a product that has a lower quality and taste.

Product prices may increase in coming months as Costa Rica began importing avocado from Peru.

In addition to the high prices for shoddy avocado, the smuggling of Mexican avocados that were going to be sold to Panama has increased in Costa Rica.

Randall Benavides, president of the Chamber of Importers and Exporters of Perishables, stated that several people have offered him Mexican Hass avocado, despite the ban on this product imposed by the Costa Rican government.

Containers with Mexican avocados would be crossing Costa Rica on route to Panama, where they are received in accordance with the law and pay applicable taxes; however, the product is being smuggled into Costa Rica illegally.

Costa Rica stopped importing Mexican avocados after claiming that the country was affected by the sun blotch pest and that this represented a risk for Costa Rican crops.

"After restricting avocado imports from Mexico, transits of avocado shipments from Mexico to Panama multiplied by 100. If it is an exotic or quarantine pest, which it is not, how can we allow 10 to 12 containers to freely pass through our country, where they might be stolen or have an accident that could lead to a spread of a virus. It's just not true, "Benavides said in an interview.

According to the data from the Costa Rica's Foreign Trade Corporation (PROCOMER), consumption of Mexican avocados in Panama grew by 100% once Costa Rica restricted them.


What to read next

Costa Rica: Avocado importers don't want Mexico to complain to WTO
Mexico and Costa Rica to proceed with their avocado dispute
Costa Rica: Future of Mexican avocado depends on pest analysis

Governor Hochul announces inflation refund checks up to $400 coming this fall

 
Governor Kathy Hochul announced that inflation refund checks up to $400 will be sent this fall to 8.2 million households across New York State.
 
 

Latest

Czechia recovers CZK 60 million in dispute with European Commission
Colombia formally joins Belt and Road Initiative
Egg exports grow in April and Brazil expands its presence in new markets
Carrier to create 4,000 highly skilled jobs in U.S.

NEWS

U.S.: Areas of excessive rainfall and severe thunderstorm potential today

Captain of Hong Kong ship charged with damage to Baltic gas pipeline
U.S.: Strong to severe thunderstorms from Southern Plains to Ohio Valley
U.S.: Severe thunderstorms, heavy rain and fire threat
Peru court jails ex-President Humala for money laundering
Bosnia risks air traffic shutdown over unpaid debt
 

BUSINESS

Italy, Greece to invest 1.9bn euro in new subsea interconnector

Iran to export BCG vaccine to Venezuela
Baker Hughes: U.S. oil rig count down by 5 to 474
U.S. rig count drops for first time in three weeks
Azerbaijan seeks investor to build bitumen materials plant
Baker Hughes: U.S. oil rig count up by 2 to 483
 

Trending Now

EU to fully end its dependency on Russian energy

Concirrus appoints Steve O'Reilly as product manager

EU generated €39.2 billion surplus in trade in agricultural products

UK: TRA recommendation for new duties on Chinese excavators accepted


POLITICS

€5 billion French scheme to facilitate export of wines and spirits to U.S.

EU to fully end its dependency on Russian energy
UK: TRA recommendation for new duties on Chinese excavators accepted
Commission: Sweden failing to fulfil its obligations under EU maritime security acquis
European Parliament approved wide framework for screening of foreign direct investments
Government and MBS Global Investments to create Maldives International Financial Centre
 

Today We Recommend

EU to fully end its dependency on Russian energy


Highlights 

Carrier to create 4,000 highly skilled jobs in U.S.

Boeing and Qatar Airways announce historic order for up to 210 widebody airplanes

Italy, Greece to invest 1.9bn euro in new subsea interconnector


COMPANIES

Boeing and Qatar Airways announce historic order for up to 210 widebody airplanes

Suez Canal offers 15 pct discount for large container ships
LEGO Group will create 305 new jobs in Prince George County, Virginia
PPG will establish Cleveland County manufacturing center creating 110 jobs
Disney announces Abu Dhabi theme park and resort
Skechers agrees to be acquired by 3G Capital
 

CAREERS

Tom Montali joins CSL as business development director

Concirrus appoints Steve O'Reilly as product manager
Jetcraft appoints Philip Baer as sales director in U.S.
Pere Mañé appointed as new CEO of Suanfarma
Ben Söderling new CEO of Sovellusmestarit Oy and MoveRoll Oy
Helio Fujita joins Mars as global people & organization VP for petcare business
 

ECONOMY

NZ exports to EU jump 28% in first year of trade deal

EU generated €39.2 billion surplus in trade in agricultural products
California is now world’s 4th-largest economy
Thailand's exports jump 17.8 pct to 3-year high in March
Turkish exports hit second highest March figure on record
EU hourly labour costs ranged from €11 to €55 in 2024
 

EARNINGS

Ericsson Q2 sales down but North America up

Lockton revenue $3.55 billion
Motorcar Parts of America Q4 sales $189.5 million
Limoneira Q2 revenue $44.6 million
Lululemon athletica Q1 revenue increased 10% to $2.2 billion
PVH Q1 GAAP EBIT $205 million
 

OP-ED

Micromanaging is the worst enemy of efficiency and teamwork

Niger set to monetize massive gas reserves through Saharan natural gas pipeline
Putting the brakes on EV folly that choked the market
Oil discovery in Kavango Basin may mean huge benefits for Namibians
Cape Town and Dubai battle over Africa's energy future
Is America going to lose its superpower status?
 

AGRIFISH

Minister István Nagy: FMD immunity can be announced on May 30

£50 million equipment and technology grants to boost food production, farm profitability
Philippines approves beef supplies from Russia
Hong Kong: Import of poultry meat and products from areas in U.S. suspended
U.S.-Mexico reach agreement on screwworm
Tanzania bans agricultural imports from South Africa and Malawi
 

LEADERSHIP

Study: Missing a deadline has a bigger impact than you might think

Employers prefer younger job candidates for AI roles although experienced workers perform same or better
Study finds workers misjudge wage markets
Some organizations may need to expand their hierarchical structures earlier than others
Study finds there's right way and wrong way to deliver negative feedback in workplace
Allyship is critical and its needs appreciation
 

CRIME

EU fines carmakers €458 million for anti-recycling cartel

Commission fines Pierre Cardin and its licensee Ahlers €5.7 million for restricting cross-border sales of clothing
BHP, Vale agree to pay $30B damages for Brazil dam disaster
Commission fines České dráhy and Österreichische Bundesbahnen €48.7 million over collusion to exclude common compe
SEC charges Keurig with making inaccurate statements regarding recyclability of K-Cup beverage pod
SEC charges John Deere with FCPA violations for subsidiary’s role in Thai bribery scheme
 

Magazine

TRAVEL

Radisson Hotel Group debuts in the heart of Tunisia’s capital city, Tunis

Morocco’s first Radisson branded hotel opens in Casablanca
Buna channels, an unreal and beautiful part of Bosnia and Herzegovina
JW Marriott unveils Mindful Haven with opening of JW Marriott Hotel Nairobi
Sotheby's Sports Week returns with fantastic artifacts
Red Roof properties open in Michigan
 

SEA, LAND, AIR

Citroën C3 Aircross, the most affordable compact SUV with 7 seats

2025 Chevrolet Equinox stands apart with fresh looks and capability
Hill Helicopters HX50, luxury in the sky
Opel Movano becomes fully equipped camper van
Porsche Panamera, new hybrid variants
Dodge Charger, 670 horsepower of electric
 

DESIGN

Cold night, hot fire pit, cool entertainment

Embellish your home with PVC panels
You'll have to hurry if you want one of 20 new Louis Vuitton watches
Luxury duvet looks good, fells good and keeps you healthy
Vacheron Constantin, watches for life and more
Schüller kitchens, where functionality marries design
 

GADGETS

MESA/Boogie Celebrates 40-year partnership with John Petrucci

reMarkable 2, monochrome tablet for your thoughts and your eyes
OnePlus Ace 3V, first with Snapdragon 7 Plus Gen 3
ASUS Zenfone 11 Ultra, flagship with a reason
Samsung Galaxy S24 is photography powerhouse
Casette tapes are making a big comeback, and so are portable players
 

HEALTH

Hong Kong researchers develop needle-free flu vaccine with broad protection

World's first vaccines that don't need refrigeration entered trials
First patient enrolled in Phase 1 clinical trial of Akiram’s cancer drug candidate
FDA grants marketing authorization of first home test for chlamydia, gonorrhea and trichomoniasis
Human cases of anthrax reported in western Mongolia
One more barrier to developing vaccine for HIV removed
 

MEANTIME

Mission to "weigh" all of Earth's forests from space launched

NASA's SPHEREx space telescope begins mapping entire sky
Russian academics, gas industry experts see undersea LNG transportation as feasible
India launches space docking experiment mission
World-first carbon-14 diamond battery made
Einstein Telescope step closer