The transfer time of Costa Rican exports to China would decrease from 39 to 23 days in the coming months.
The Ministry of Foreign Trade (COMEX), the Costa Rican Foreign Trade Promoter (PROCOMER) and the logistics company COSCO Shipping Lines are evaluating a new direct route between the port of Moín and Shanghai, which would allow the reduction of time.
The new logistics alternative was launched with three pilot plans. The first shipment left Moín on September 23rd with 31 containers of pineapple, banana, meat and juice and arrived in Shanghai on October 16th, maintaining quality, color and, in the case of fruit, ripening.
The next shipments to Shanghai are scheduled by COSCO Shipping Lines at the end of October and November.
Trade relations between Costa Rica and China were formalized in 2011 with the signing of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA). According to PROCOMER during 2018, Costa Rica exported $194.4 million to China, $116.3 million more than in 2014. The products exported include medical prostheses, sugar, beef, alcohol and concentrated citrus.
In addition to the reduction in export time, Costa Rican companies in the Asian market could benefit from competitive rates, an increase in the frequency of departure and the possibility of obtaining complementary services, such as a controlled atmosphere, by the shipping company.
In addition to the possibility of increasing exports to China, the Moin-Shanghai direct route could have an impact on the rest of the Asian markets. During 2018, $ 239.7 million was exported to Japan, $ 81.2 million to Hong Kong, $ 36.8 million to South Korea and $ 35.9 million to India.