With Costa Rica likely to be exporting to the Chinese market very soon, the industry is learning how to improve logistical trade aspects by working alongside other sectors. 

National Chamber of Pineapple Growers and Exporters (CANAPEP) president Christian Herrera Leon told www.freshfruitportal.com the banana and frozen meat industries were already shipping to China.

"We have to work together with all the trade happening between Costa Rica and China," Leon said.

"The Chamber is having a lot of conversations with these industries, and also the industry that is importing from China, so we can gather the volumes and improve the logistical aspects that we have right now to shorten transit time."

He added the pineapple industry was also creating an entirely new export program from scratch for China-bound exports.

The topic of phytosanitary and minimum reside levels will also be looked at, but Leon said these did not differ too significantly between the various export markets.

"So for China we have no issue there," he said.

"The biggest challenge is of the logistics. That is where we need to quantify what is the exact cargo that is being sent now between traders in Costa Rica and China so we can unify that cargo and ship our produce better. That is to be worked out."

Still on track for US$900 million exports

Leon said the 2014 Costa Rican pineapple season had been going positively, with solid production growth. Volumes between January and October were around 8% higher year-on-year, and Leon expected the figure to reach 10% by 2015.

"I'm optimistic that we're still on track for the value of exports to reach US$900 million," he said.

"The production and the promotions for Christmas that are happening now. Week 49 I think this is the last week for the European and U.S. Christmas."

He added there had also been some minor new plantings that would likely bring the country's total to some 45,500 hectares, but it was difficult to calculate precisely as the plantations were very spread out and often small family owned plots.

While Leon said the markets over recent months have not been particularly active, the industry had enjoyed the their stability.

"They have been moderate, the promotions into Russia have been okay," he said.

"So we're in a stable trading status, which is desirable. We know that the market could be a little bit under pressure generally, not just from pineapples but other crops, but sales are flowing with reasonable prices."

Over the course of 2015 Leon said as well as working on the program for China-bound exports, he would like to work on developing other markets such as the Middle East and Northern Africa.

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