European Green Deal: impact and opportunities for Costa Rica´s agro-industry

Abstract

The aim of this article is to raise awareness about the implications surrounding the implementation of the new regulations proposed by the European Union, the emerging trends in international trade, and the environmental policy outlined in the European Green Deal—an initiative developed in response to environmental concerns and international commitments to reduce ecological impact. In 2023, a series of seminars and co-creation workshops were conducted, during which various challenges and concerns were presented regarding the adaptation and implementation of the Green Deal regulations and their implications for the agro-industrial sector. These included the potential loss of competitiveness of agricultural products in the European market, the excessive and dependent use of pesticides in cultivation, insufficient governmental oversight, and the lack of financial resources to enforce regulations. This study explores each of these issues in depth and proposes potential solutions in the form of institutional projects or policies that could be implemented by national entities, with the aim of supporting the business production sector, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises.