| Costa Rica found an eager buyer for domestic | | | | a test and in approval by Chinese authorities was |
| cowhide in China; so much so that the country has | | | | given in April. Since then, Costa Rica formally began |
| sold more than 250 containers of this material since | | | | its first shipments of cowhide. |
| official exports began in April. | | | | Bonasort Costa Rica, a national company, is in charge |
| To get an idea of the magnitude of the export, each | | | | of checking and buying hides from the |
| container contains between 800 and 900 cowhides, | | | | slaughterhouses. |
| and each hide is about 4 square meters in size. | | | | Jordi Colomer, company president, said his company |
| They are used in show manufacture for the most | | | | buys product from Coopemontecillos, Arreo, GICO |
| part. | | | | and Carne 5 Estrellas (Five-Star Beef), and that they |
| The sale of cowhide has represented an income of | | | | are responsible for loading the leather on the |
| just over $2 million for the country. | | | | containers and exporting them. Wanceslao |
| For Fernando Ocampo, chief negotiator of the FTA | | | | Rodriguez, from Coopemontecillos, confirmed the |
| with China, the export of cowhide to China reflects | | | | operation. |
| the "tremendous potential" that Costa Rica has for | | | | "We are more than satisfied with the results now |
| selling food and agricultural products there. | | | | than we were when the first tests began. National |
| "The start of negotiations with China has helped open | | | | leather quality is very good and it has earned praise |
| new opportunities, which we expect to consolidate | | | | for our country," said Colomer. |
| once the treaty comes into force. One of the | | | | He acknowledged, however, that prices have not |
| objectives of trade negotiations with China is | | | | been consistent because the same hide that was |
| diversifying our exports to that country above all | | | | priced at $28 in 2008 is now being bought for |
| because agricultural exports to China were practically | | | | between $9 and $11. "When prices are more just, |
| nil," he said in an interview a few days ago. | | | | there is more room for everyone, but the leather is |
| In 2009 alone, Costa Rica has sold beer, fish flour, | | | | a very volatile commodity," he added. |
| ornamentals, some juices, sauces and cowhides to | | | | These companies were already selling leather to |
| that huge nation, Ocampo added. National leather | | | | other countries, including El Salvador and Mexico. |
| exports to China began to take shape last year. | | | | Rodriguez said Italy regained its interest in domestic |
| At that time, a mission from that nation, the National | | | | leather after having purchased sole leather from |
| Animal Health Service (SENASA) and PROCOMER | | | | Costa Rica years ago. |
| visited several slaughterhouses to verify product | | | | There can be good results from the FTA with China, |
| quality. | | | | which can have great benefits for Costa Rican |
| In September, several containers were sent there as | | | | producers, as long as good terms are established. |