In Costa Rica currently the only wholesale market that exists is the National Center of Distribution and Supply of Foods (CENADA) located in Barreal, Heredia, but by the end of January 2019 the Chorotega Region wholesale market, will be a reality.

The wholesale market is being built in the area of Sardinal, Carrillo, Guanacaste, a project with an approximate cost of $52 million and financed by the Central American Bank of Economic Integration (CBIE) that will allow thousands of organized farmers (agricultural producers) to place their products without unnecessary intermediates.

The construction has an advance of close to 50%. It will benefit 11 counties in Guanacaste and Alajuela as well as several communities of Puntarenas in the Nicoya Península, but it is also expected that it will be part of a wholesale agricultural system that will allow other regions to have access of a system of supply, distribution and commercialization of fruits, vegetables, meat, fish and seafood at accessible prices for the consumer.

According to the projections, this project will generate close to 500 direct jobs and will benefit 17,500 farmers and over 400 thousand inhabitants.

The new wholesale market will be administered by PIMA, the same institution that manages CENADA.

“I believe in regional development and that the needs of the regions must be resolved within them, taking into account their unique characteristics”, commented President Carlos Alvarado, who manifested his interest in promoting similar projects in the Brunca and Caribbean regions.