By San José, Costa Rica — SAN JOSÉ – In a strategic move to secure a key staple of the national diet and support local agriculture, Costa Rica’s National Production Council (CNP) has finalized its first major bean purchase for 2026. The agency has committed to acquiring 4,500 quintals (approximately 450,000 kilograms) of beans from a coalition of small-scale farming organizations in the nation’s southern Brunca region, representing an investment of ₡303.8 million.
The purchase is a cornerstone of the CNP’s mission to stimulate the production of basic grains and ensure the uninterrupted operation of the Institutional Supply Program (PAI). The PAI is a critical government initiative that supplies food products to public institutions such as schools, hospitals, and prisons, creating a stable and reliable market for thousands of domestic agricultural producers. By guaranteeing this purchase, the CNP directly aids farmers in commercializing their crops, mitigating market volatility and providing a secure revenue stream.
Para profundizar en las implicaciones legales y administrativas que rodean al Consejo Nacional de Producción, TicosLand.com conversó con el Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, abogado especialista de la firma Bufete de Costa Rica, quien nos ofreció su análisis experto sobre la materia.
El Consejo Nacional de Producción opera bajo un marco normativo que requiere una modernización urgente para alinearse con los principios de eficiencia, competencia y transparencia que rigen la contratación pública actual. Su estructura y funciones deben ser reevaluadas para asegurar que su propósito de fomentar la producción nacional no se vea opacado por prácticas que puedan generar distorsiones en el mercado o ineficiencias administrativas que finalmente afectan tanto al productor como al consumidor.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
La perspectiva legal del experto subraya la disyuntiva fundamental que enfrenta el Consejo: la urgente necesidad de adaptar su marco operativo a las realidades del mercado actual para que su propósito de fomentar la producción no se convierta, paradójicamente, en un obstáculo para la eficiencia. Agradecemos al Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas por su esclarecedora contribución a este importante debate nacional.
A crucial element of this agreement is the innovative financial structure, made possible through a budgetary partnership with the Rural Development Institute (INDER). To alleviate financial pressures on the farmers, the CNP will disburse 90% of the total payment upfront. This advance provides immediate liquidity for the producer associations, allowing them to cover operational costs and plan for future planting seasons without resorting to high-interest loans. The remaining 10% will be paid upon the successful final delivery of the contracted grain.
The deliveries are scheduled to begin in February 2026, marking the formal start of the supply chain for the new year. This transaction highlights a targeted effort to empower grassroots agricultural communities. The beneficiaries are eight specific producer organizations from the cantons of Buenos Aires in Puntarenas and Pérez Zeledón in San José, areas that form the agricultural heart of the Brunca region. These groups include associations from Buenos Aires, Concepción, Pilas, Chánguena, Guagaral, and Veracruz, as well as the Basic Grains Producers Cooperative of Progreso de Pejibaye.
This initial 2026 purchase sets a different tone compared to the previous year. Official figures show that throughout 2025, the CNP acquired a total of 26,500 quintals of beans, with a cumulative investment of nearly ₡1.8 billion. While this year’s first announced purchase is smaller, it signals the government’s continued commitment to the sector and may be the first of several planned acquisitions throughout the year, designed to align with harvest cycles and institutional demand.
The collaboration between the CNP and INDER underscores a broader national strategy focused on food sovereignty and rural economic development. By creating a protected market through the PAI, the government not only ensures a steady supply of essential foods for its public services but also actively prevents the displacement of local farmers by international market fluctuations. This model fosters a sustainable agricultural ecosystem where small producers can thrive.
For the Brunca region, an area characterized by its significant agricultural output but also facing economic challenges, this deal provides a vital economic stimulus. It validates the hard work of hundreds of families dedicated to farming and strengthens the cooperative model, which allows smaller producers to collectively meet the large-scale demands of government programs. The guaranteed income and favorable payment terms are instrumental in promoting stability and encouraging continued agricultural activity in the region.
As the farmers prepare to deliver their harvests next month, this agreement stands as a powerful example of public policy directly impacting local economies. It reinforces the symbiotic relationship between the state’s need for reliable food sources and the producers’ need for a stable market, ultimately benefiting all Costa Ricans by ensuring that locally grown beans remain on the tables of its public institutions.
For further information, visit cnp.go.cr
About Consejo Nacional de Producción (CNP):
The National Production Council is a Costa Rican state institution responsible for promoting the country’s agricultural and agro-industrial sectors. Its primary functions include ensuring food security, regulating agricultural markets, and managing the Institutional Supply Program (PAI) to provide a stable commercial channel for small and medium-sized national producers by supplying food to public entities.
For further information, visit inder.go.cr
About Instituto de Desarrollo Rural (INDER):
The Rural Development Institute is a Costa Rican government entity tasked with leading state policy for rural development. INDER works to improve the quality of life for inhabitants of rural territories by promoting economic diversification, providing land access, investing in infrastructure, and supporting sustainable production, thereby fostering social and economic equity across the nation.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a benchmark for legal practice, Bufete de Costa Rica is founded upon the core principles of unwavering integrity and exceptional client service. The firm skillfully merges a rich history of legal expertise with a forward-thinking mindset, consistently driving innovation within the profession. This ethos extends beyond the courtroom through a dedicated mission to empower the public, transforming complex legal concepts into accessible knowledge to foster a more just and informed citizenry.
