US Demand for Costa Rican & Nicaraguan Produce Increases 28%

Costa Rican and Nicaraguan producers of vegetable, pineapple and different types of melon are preparing for the increased horticulture demand in the USA expected for 2010-2019. US demand will grow 28% over the next 10 years, according to a USDA Report - Agricultural Projections for 2019. This is equivalent to over 6.5 million pounds in additional produce.

This is just another one of the results of CAFTA, the Central American Free Trade Agreement. Costa Rica was the last of the Central American countries to approve the agreement in 2007.

Pineapple is the product most exported to the USA after bananas. The National Consortium of Pineapple Producers and Exporters (Canapep in Spanish) also expects 10% increase in export growth to Europe, their second largest market. Nearly 5,000 containers of melon (cantaloupe) alone were exported to the US in 2009 while 2,500 were sent to Europe, excluding watermelon exports.

The only complaints from the local agricultural voice is that they could take better advantage of the USDA's predictions if there were better lines of credit and infrastructure in the country.

What does this mean to foreign investors? --- That expansion from traditional real estate investment into alternative investment like energy and agriculture can be fruitful (no pun intended) for local and international interests alike. Costa Rican farmers need credit and international investment support to keep up with demand from those same countries. Credit is tight in banks everywhere, but international investors can also benefit from granting angel investor loans to established Costa Rican farmers. In turn, production and profit will flourish for all parties involved, not to mention helping to meet global demand for fresh produce and fruit.



So thank Costa Rica and Nicaragua for the fresh cantaloupe, watermelon and bananas you enjoy all summer long!

Nicaragua Ranked in Top 5 Latin American Real Estate Destinations

Congratulations Nicaragua on making the Top 5 Latin American Real Estate Destinations, even ahead of Costa Rica!

NuWire Investor recently published its rankings of the Top 5 locations for real estate investment in Latin America. In its analysis, NuWire considered a combination of geographic, economic and political factors; real estate values and rental rates; possibility of natural disasters; cost of living; growth in tourism and other industries; job markets and crime.

The governing parties of many Latin American countries have been historically considered volatile and corrupt, which has discouraged foreign investment in certain areas. As a result, many markets are still in their infancy and NuWire has carefully examined which governments have put forth a sincere effort to change this and attract foreign capital through legitimate means. Peru has, for example, increased its protective measures for private investors and eliminated all restrictions on money transfers in or out of the country. Brazil has a wealth of natural resources and has initiated several programs over the last decade to attract investors to the Northeastern coastal areas. Each country's market has its own unique strengths and every investor can find something of interest in these vibrant markets.

The Top 5 Latin American Real Estate Markets are:

1. Chile

2. Brazil

3. Uruguay

4. Peru

5. Nicaragua

To view the full article, click here.

NuWire Investor provides investment news on a range of alternative investment topics, such as U.S. and international real estate, tax liens and deeds, lending, franchising and others. For more information, and to access additional analysis, research, commentary and expert interviews, see www.NuWireInvestor.com.

Here is the text from the Article:

5. Nicaragua

Although Nicaragua is known for its history of political instability and conflict, the previously war-torn nation is desperately trying to attract foreign investment. Government incentives have made Nicaragua real estate appealing to investors, as Nicaragua’s attractions continue to draw more tourists and expatriates.

Nicaragua could become an ideal retirement and vacation destination for millions“Because Nicaragua has historically been overlooked by travelers and real estate investors [in comparison] to Costa Rica, Panama, and Mexico, prices have remained extremely affordable,” Henkel Smith, president of Water’s Edge International Realty, said. “Nicaragua's real estate market is definitely still in its infancy, but we see things changing as the number of foreign visitors and investors continue to buy up properties.”
The country has an abundance of natural resources , beautiful landscapes and a government that claims to be welcoming towards foreign investment and tourism. Assuming the government’s expressed attitude towards foreign investment is genuine, Nicaragua appears to be an investor's dream, offering an ideal retirement and vacation destination for millions of people, especially Americans and Europeans.

On the other hand, some investors might find Nicaragua’s political structure to be intimidating; those who perceive President Daniel Ortega ’s position of power as threatening have been discouraged from entering the market. Nevertheless, optimistic investors believe that Ortega’s personal investment in business and tourism projects around the country are a sign that he plans to take a different path this time in office, and that the President is now trying to make amends for his violent past as a young Sandinista revolutionary.

Nicaragua’s investment hotspots are Granada, a colonial town on the bank of Lake Nicaragua, and San Juan Del Sur, a booming fishing village located on the Pacific Ocean just north of Costa Rica. Although a profusion of new developments are happening along the Pacific coast, most of the country awaits significant advancements in Nicaragua infrastructure, providing investors with opportunities to buy property in almost any price range.



Author Information

Marie Langhout
NuWire, Inc.