A severe strike in Costa Rica over the last two weeks has heavily affected the banana and pineapple industries, with the latter suffering multi-million dollar losses.
The standstill by the country’s unions began on Sept. 10 in response to the government’s proposed tax reforms which would mean an increase in levies to face the bulky fiscal deficit.
The strike has affected ports, roads, and educational and medical centers, among others, which has led to widespread shortages of gasoline and many products inside the country.
Laura Bonilla, president of the Chamber of Exporters of Costa Rica (Cadexco), told local newspaper Diario Extra that total losses in the export section hit US$89 million in just one week.
“We have not been able to export because there is no port capacity. It is not fair, we pay the CCSS [Costa Rican social security fund] and our taxes. We represent 34% of the gross domestic product,” she said.
At least 650 thousand boxes of pineapples were estimated to have been lost during the first week of the strike.
Read more on Fresh Fruit Portal.
