by Rod Hughes

The Canadian market for fresh goods such as fruit as well as flowers and plants is demanding more and more Costa Rican products. Such tropical fruits as mango, papaya, coconuts and pineapple are no longer novelties on Canadian dining tables, even when the snow is up to the doorknobs. Nor are ferns hanging in their living rooms.

But Itzamm Huelat, director of the foreign trade office in Canada says the market is growing not only for the above items, that opportunities exist for sales of cut flowers,green peppers and fresh vegetables during Canadian winters. Of benefit to both countries, Huelat points out, is the market for organically grown produce and foods that can be certified as having been raised with ecologically friendly methods.

According to Geraldo Lopez, Latin American trade representative of the giant Canadian supermarket chain, Loblaws, healthy snacks such as organic mini-vegetables, fruit juices and whole fruits are especially sought after. Consumption of such ecologically happy products, already a $1.2 billion business, rose a startling 20% last year. Because of its geographic nearness to Canada, this country has an advantage over many other Latin American nations.

There is, moreover, an affinity between the two nations, not the least of which is a worldwide reputation for friendliness. Both gained their independence from their mother countries in a peaceful, bloodless way and have a long history of stability and democracy. Their foreign policies are basically supportive, favoring peaceful negotiation over conflict. Not the least favorable condition for goods interchange is the free trade treaty between them, now in its fifth year. It was the first country with which Costa Rica signed a free trade treaty.

There is much room for the development of two way trade between the countries. Although Canadian imports last year were a healthy $66 million, the northern country is only 21st in selling to Costa Rica, a long way from front-running China and the United States. By contrast, Costa Rican exports to Canada have increased 110% since 2002 and Canadian investment reached $413 million in the same period.