In Costa Rica, a decree is being prepared to eliminate the ban that has been in effect since 1988 and to re-authorize planting of the robusta variety in some areas of the country.

The results obtained in tests carried out in 2016 and the conclusion that there is no longer a real technical justification for prohibiting the sowing of this variety have led the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock to review the conditions and evaluate resumption of planting in some areas of the country.

See also: “Nicaragua Authorizes Extensive Planting of Robusta“

The decree, which will be signed by President Solís in the coming days, “… will regulate the cultivation areas, the roasting methods (industrializing this type of grain) and marketing methods, to avoid confusion with Arabica coffee, according to the Minister of Agriculture and Livestock (MAG), Luis Felipe Arauz.The Icafé will take charge
of this independence, which will guarantee the preservation of the quality of the grain and its international recognition, explained Arauz.“

See also: “Crop monitoring in Central America“

Xinia Chaves, executive director of the Chamber of Coffee Exporters, told Nacion.com that “… it is precisely for the reason of preserving quality of the grain that it is considered important that cultivation of Robusta be restarted in a very orderly way. That, he added, is what they want to promote with the decree. Making it not be possible to sow in all zones, that the roasting be done completely separately from the Arabica variety and that its commercialization is also well organized, separate from the other variety, he explained.“

In Nicaragua, steps have also been taken in this same direction.  Starting from July 2018, a new technical standard will establish methods of analysis, sampling, packaging and labeling of green robusta coffee for export and commercialization.