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Published Monday, February 8, 2021
First export of hydroponic
tomatoes to the U.S.
By the A.M. Costa Rica staff
The company Hacienda Tobosi S.A made the first hydroponic tomato export from Costa Rica to the United States.
This first shipment of 20 thousand kilograms of the fruit left Moin Port in Limón Province to the Miami Port of Florida, after the reopening of the program for exports to the U.S. which was suspended in 2014.
After years of process, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, APHIS, met the requirements to be approved to export.
"Our hydroponic tomatoes are certified by fast-food franchise chains such as McDonald's and Burger King, of which we are already suppliers here in Costa Rica," Jorge Gutiérrez, manager of the company said. "Also for being a certified product free of chemical residues by the State Phytosanitary Service, SFE, the fruit is highly appealing in the KOSHER community.”
The tomato farmer company has 12.1 hectares to produce and has three hectares planted. The opportunity to export to the U.S. will allow them to enable more sown areas to increase in the cultivation area to nine hectares this year.
The reactivation of the tomato export program to the U.S. began in January between the U.S. APHIS and Costa Rican SFE. As part of the agreement, site inspections must monitor pests inside and outside greenhouses, as well as all process areas such as containers and the packing zone.
Representatives from APHIS and SFE supervise operations at production sites and packing facilities, as well as certify tomato exports to the United States.
The advantage of Costa Rica's climate and its proximity to North America give it the possibility of producing and exporting the fruit throughout the year.
Many local farmers are seeking to export their agricultural products to the U.S.
Last month, 14 farmers were virtually participating in the Specialty Food Live fair, seeking to export more agricultural products to the United States.
The fair, managed by the U.S. Specialty Food Association, SFA, was created in 1952 and currently represents 3,500 members such as food artisans, purveyors, importers, entrepreneurs, distributors, retailers, and others involved in the food trade.
In the virtual fair, companies had to introduce their products with photographs, videos and brochures. A wide variety of goods are being offered to attract U.S. consumers such as natural chips, fruit flours, vegetables, tubers, cocktail mixers, drinks, healthy snacks, natural cereals, coffee flakes, seeds, among many others.
In 2020, from January to November, the food industry represented 14% of the country's total exports. This data showed a growth of 7% of exports related to the same period in 2019, despite the pandemic. The most exported products were palm oil, syrups for beverages, products derived from fish, juices and fruit concentrates, according to the government.
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What agricultural products from Costa Rica could be appealing for the U.S. consumers? We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to news@amcostarica.com
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