Since 2012, Sweet chili exports to the US have increased. While in that year 776,000 kilos were exported, in 2015 that number rose up to 1,592,000 kilos.
The United States decided to import Costa Rican chili if it was produced under protected environment (greenhouse conditions).
The State Phytosanitary Service (SFE) is responsible for the phytosanitary inspection in both, greenhouses and the packing plant, and it also accounts for the certification of the exported fruits. In addition, SFE promotes good agricultural practices that should prevail for production and export.
It is SFE responsibility to provide phytosanitary measures in the plants and fields. A SFE inspector must be present during the process of harvesting, packaging and certification of shipments,
explained Marco Vinicio Jiménez, director of SFE.
Furthermore, the fruit is received and sampled for dissection. It is verified the absence of phytosanitary problems such as the presence of insects, grubs and disease. The plant certification is done when the chili is processed and packaged and when the container is properly loaded and closed.
Inspections are conducted at least once a week during the growing season, which allow the elimination of pests and diseases if there’s any.
Inside the plant it is observed that everything meets all the hygiene requirements (hand washing, disinfection of shoes, etc.), double door system, cold storage room and facility cleaning.
Before loading it up, a visual inspection to the container is performed. All boxes have all the mandatory and necessary information for product identification.