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The successes and shortcoming of Costa Rica exports diversification policies

Background paper to the UNCTAD-FAO Commodities and Development Report 2017 Commodity Markets, Economic Growth and Development












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    Costa Rica Case Study: Prepared for FAO as part of the State of the World’s Forests 2016 (SOFO) 2016
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    Costa Rica since the '50s went through the traditional transition curve that some countries had or are experiencing. From a period in the far past in which there was no deforestation, the reduction of forest areas begun at an increasing rate, reaching a minimum cover around 21% some 30 years ago, followed by a period of increasing rate of forest recovery until finally reaching a stabilization at around 52% of the country area (FRA 2015; SIREFOR 2015). This was at least the most widely accepted t rend a few years ago, but today this is a controversial issue, since different studies sustain different minimums forest covers, from 21 % to 57%. The cause of this process was primarily the migration of population to the rural areas, followed by deforestation to clean land for cattle farming, subsistence production and then to industrial agriculture in some areas.

    Read the full report of the State of the World’s Forests (SOFO) 2016

    Read the Brochure of the State of the World’s Forests (SOFO) 2016

    Read the Flyer

    See the Infographic

    Visit the Sofo 2016 webpage

    Read the other six country case studies:

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    Working paper
    Fiscal reform in Costa Rica
    Price elasticities of major food categories to inform decision-making
    2023
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    In the context of fiscal reform in Costa Rica (value added tax revision), the definition of a new basic tax basket – canasta básica tributaria (CBT), incorporating nutritional criteria is underway in the country. In this study, price elasticities of major food categories were analysed using a Quadratic Almost Ideal Demand System (QUAIDS) model and data from the 2018 National Survey of Household Income and Expenditures – Encuesta Nacional de Ingresos y Gastos de los Hogares (ENIGH). Measuring price elasticities is essential because it allows: knowing the extent to which food demand reacts to price changes, anticipating changes in the quantities demanded as a result of fiscal policy changes, measuring potential substitution and complementary effects between food groups, and potential nutritional effects of fiscal policies. As a result, it helps to provide recommendations on the content of a CBT with nutritional criteria. Results show that the food categories with the most elastic demand are “bread and cereals”, "mineral waters, soft drinks and juices" and “milk, cheese and eggs”. Substitution effects exist between the following groups: “fruits” and “oils and fats”, “fruits” and “bread and cereals”, and between “milk, cheese and eggs” and “oils and fats”. For this last food category and for the one which includes sweets and chocolates, the consumption decreases when the price of “bread and cereals” increases. They are complementary goods. These relations between food groups need to be considered when defining a national CBT with nutritional criteria, and with the objective of promoting the consumption of healthier food groups while disincentivizing the consumption of the unhealthy ones. Lastly, it is important that the consumption of the healthiest foods within each food group be fiscally promoted.
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    Policy brief
    Policy brief
    Price elasticities of major food categories to inform fiscal reform in Costa Rica 2023
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    In the context of fiscal reform in Costa Rica (value added tax revision), the definition of a new basic tax basket – canasta básica tributaria (CBT), incorporating nutritional criteria – is underway in the country. Measuring price elasticities is essential because it allows: knowing the extent to which food demand reacts to price changes, anticipating changes in the quantities demanded as a result of fiscal policy changes, measuring potential substitution and complementary effects between food groups, and potential nutritional effects of fiscal policies. As a result, it helps to provide recommendations on the content of a CBT with nutritional criteria.

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    The Fishery Industry in China  2004
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    The aim of this document is to give a full and comprehensive picture of the fishery sector in China. It provides information on government policies and other initiatives, followed by a description of the fishery industry in terms of capture fisheries, marine and inland aquaculture, processing, international trade (import & export), marketing, distribution and consumption. Finally it studies the impact of China’s accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) and its influence. Data collection h as centred mainly upon the China National Annual Fishery Industry Statistics and some References.
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    Developing sustainable, green and inclusive agricultural value chains in the Caribbean and the Pacific Islands 2014
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    In 2012 the ACP/EU Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation (CTA) commissioned studies of agricultural value chains in West, Central and East Africa, the Caribbean, and the Pacific.1 These studies, which were commissioned at the request of and funded by FAO, focused on issues relating to green and inclusive chains that were established through private sector initiative and which have proved to be sustainable or have the potential to be sustainable. A report for each region was pre pared in early 2013. This report summarises and integrates the findings of the reports that cover the Caribbean and Pacific regions, focusing on innovative and otherwise interesting aspects of chain structure and development.