Costa Rican potato and onion growers hit hard by unchecked imports

Costa Rica’s local potato and onion producers are raising concerns over a surge in imports that they say is threatening their survival. According to the National Chamber of Agriculture and Agroindustry (CNAA), massive, uncontrolled imports of these crops are pushing local growers out of the market and undermining food safety standards.

At a press conference on July 2, horticulture producers described the situation as “unfair competition,” claiming that many imported goods lack proper traceability, health inspections, and legal oversight. The CNAA echoed these concerns, warning that the lack of control poses serious risks to both agriculture and consumer health.

Potatoes and onions — key crops in many regions of Costa Rica — have been hit hardest. Local producers, already facing financial challenges, are struggling to sell their harvests in a market flooded with cheaper imported alternatives.

The Chamber criticised the government’s weak response and called on authorities in customs, agriculture, and tax enforcement to tighten inspections at the border. CNAA President Óscar Arias Moreira also urged lawmakers to take action, highlighting the need for political support to defend food security and protect the livelihoods of farming communities.

One of the key issues raised is the misuse of imported potatoes meant for industrial processing. The CNAA stressed that such shipments should arrive sealed and be kept out of the fresh produce market. If they are resold as table potatoes, it directly harms local growers.

The Chamber is now calling for a clear, long-term trade policy that prioritises national agricultural interests over short-term gains for large importers. Without stronger regulation and support, they warn, the country’s ability to produce its own food — and the future of rural farming — could be at serious risk.

source: argenpapa.com.ar

photo: news.co.cr