Costa Rica reports stronger pesticide residue compliance in fresh vegetables

Costa Rica has reported improved food safety results for fresh vegetables, with 94% of tested samples complying with the country’s maximum pesticide residue limits.

The results were published by the State Phytosanitary Service, part of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, in its annual report on pesticide residues in fresh vegetables. The limits are used to verify that residues remaining after production and handling remain within levels considered acceptable for human health.

In 2025, the Agrochemical Residue Analysis Laboratory processed 3,327 samples covering 111 types of fresh vegetables. Of these, 1,156 samples came from domestic production and exports, while 2,171 were linked to products intended for import.

A total of 3,120 samples met the established residue limits. Within that group, 1,153 samples had no quantifiable pesticide residues. The remaining 207 samples, or 6%, showed non-compliance. These included 158 samples of national origin and 49 samples from products intended for import, which were rejected and did not enter the country.

According to MAG, compliance improved by four percentage points compared with 2024 and by 10 percentage points compared with 2022. The progress is linked to training, inspection, sampling, laboratory analysis and follow-up with producers.

The ministry also highlighted the growing role of the voluntary Tico-BPA Good Agricultural Practices certification, which recognises producers applying safer production methods. Compliance with pesticide residue standards is becoming increasingly important for commercial access, as more supermarkets require evidence of residue control and good agricultural practices.

source and photo: mag.go.cr