Pros and Cons of the Trade Agreement with Europe

The high demands for quality standards, traceability and safety constitute a barrier to making the most out of the Agreement.

In the view of representatives from the Nicaraguan export sector, it has not been possible to make the most out of the association agreement with the European Union in its first two years, due to, among other things, unfavorable international prices, as has been the case of products such as sugar, coffee , cocoa, oil and alcohol. 

Sonia Somarriba, head of markets and international relations at APEN "... stated that 'exports to the EU by Nicaragua in 2014 represented eight percent of global export value and actually showed a reduction from 288.4 million dollars in 2012 to 252.6 million dollars in 2013 and 216.1 million dollars in 2014, according to the BCN.'"

However, Laprensa.com.ni reports that "... Francisco Peiro Adams, head of the section of economy and trade for Central America of the Delegation of the European Union in Costa Rica believes that the results of the first two years have indeed been beneficial, although the agreement is still in its 'early implementation process. '"

For exporters the main obstacle is the difficulty they have in meeting the standards for quality, traceability and safety demanded by European countries.

Source: laprensa.com.ni