Bean Exports Resumed From Nicaragua

The export of Nicaraguan kidney beans to Costa Rica and El Salvador went back to normal last weekend after phytosanitary certificates were delivered by the authorities, announced the National Association of Bean Producers and Exporters of Nicaragua (APEN).

The delivery has put an end to obstacles that private exporters were confronted with and have been reporting about for the last few weeks, while authorities from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAGFOR) declined to admit there were problems. The obstacles brought economic losses to producers, reported the newspaper La Prensa on its website.

"After two weeks of complaints about 'unofficial barriers' and pointing out that preferences were being shown to 'companies related to the Government', the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAGFOR), which denied these obstacles existed, resumed delivery of phytosanitary certificates on Saturday. This allowed of about 6,000 quintals of grain to be export, and a similar amount will be put out in the next few hours, said Melvin Somarriba, vice president of the commission," reported La Prensa.

Some 2.32 million kilograms of kidney beans were exported between January 1st and 28th this year, according to the Center for Exports (CETREX). Producers hope to sell about 200,000 quintals abroad in the coming months.

Source: laprensa.com.ni

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