U.S. Trade Mission to Purchase Over US$3 Million in Nicaraguan Agricultural Products

WASHINGTON, DC, December 13, 2012 (Press-News.org) PRONicaragua, the official investment and export promotion agency of Nicaragua, recently announced that a U.S. trade mission that visited the country last week has stated their purchase intention of over US$3 million in Nicaraguan agricultural products.

The trade mission was composed of six major U.S. companies, including Walmart Global Sourcing Food Central, Bagley Produce, Farm Fresh Market, Anthony Marano Company, Clarke & Stephen, LLP Legal Translator and Total Quality Logistics. These companies visited the country last week with the objective of exploring the country's agribusiness potential and the facilities offered by the country to do business.

Additionally, the mission also sat down with local producers during a total of 54 business meetings, which lead to potential purchase orders of fresh vegetables and fruits in large quantities. Approximately 64 percent of U.S. buyers were interested in purchasing fresh fruits, while 36 percent were interested in fresh vegetables, specifically Asian vegetables.

The Nicaraguan Association of Producers and Exporters (APEN, for its acronym in Spanish) and PRONicaragua, with the support the Enterprise and Employment Program of USAID, organized this trade meeting between U.S. and Nicaraguan businessmen in order to strengthen the ties between Nicaragua and the United States within the framework of the CAFTA-DR free trade agreement. The two-day program included visits to national certified companies that could potentially export internationally valued Nicaraguan agricultural products, as well as networking sessions to establish key alliances between U.S. buyers and Nicaraguan producers.

The effect of free trade agreements, such as CAFTA-DR, has been a factor that has generated greater credibility in the country, providing clear rules for export and investment, which has been used by producers to incorporate price competitiveness.

PRONicaragua is the Nicaraguan Investment and Export Promotion Agency, established in 2002. It is a non-profit, public-private institution whose mission is to generate economic growth and job creation in Nicaragua by attracting high-quality foreign direct investment. The agency provides complimentary support services to qualified investors seeking investment opportunities in our country. For further information, please contact us at (505) 2270-6400 or http://pronicaragua.org.