Government invests more than $1.2 million in a new fruit processing plant

By the A.M. Costa Rica staff

The Ministry of Agriculture announced the construction of a new fruit packing plant in the district of Parrita in the Province of Puntarenas with an investment of $1,267,170.

The new processing plant will be managed by the members of the Tropical Fruit Producers Cooperative.

According to the ministry, the members of the cooperative are 33 fruit producers from the area who joined together to export their products.

With this new plant, the company plans to pack 200 thousand kilos of fruit a week," said Victor Carvajal, manager of the cooperative.

In the new processing plant, it has an area of 1,371 square meters and is located within a property that belongs to the Rural Development Institute. The cooperative must pay a fee to the institute.

According to the ministry, the cooperative will start with fruit exports to Central America, the United States, Canada, and Europe.

According to the Promotional Office of Commerce, known as Procomer, the 2018 exports to the U.S., Canada and Central America totaled $3.4 billion.

The main products exported to the U.S. are medical devices, pineapple, banana, integrated circuits and serum infusion equipment.

Exports to Canada were $63 million last year, the promotions office said. The main exported products are tires, prostheses for medical use, coffee, papayas and glass containers.

In Central America, the 2018 exports were $1.3 million. The main products that are exported are syrups, electric cables, diapers and medicines.

More information about Procomer statistics can be reached at its site Procomer.com.

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In addition to fruits, what other products might be attractive to consumers in the U.S. or Canada? We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to news@amcostarica.com