Biofuels Business - August, 2011 - (Page 13)

COUNTRYFOCUS fall as well as its well-educated population. More than 26% of its land is under protection, making it known for its conservation efforts. Efforts to diversify the economy have reduced dependence on agricultural exports, especially coffee, bananas and beef. However, agriculture still accounts for about 10% of the nation’s gross domestic product and employs about 12.1% of the population. The nation’s agricultural sector is well diversified and export oriented. Key exports include bananas, pineapples, coffee, melons and ornamental plants. With the exception of rice and beans, the nation does not produce bulk commodities and relies on imports of wheat, corn and soybeans. Nontraditional agricultural products like flowers, gourmet coffee, herbs and nuts are increasing in importance. Costa Rica is also an important producer of sugar, with export volumes averaging 130,000 tonnes. Most of the production is for local consumption which is greater than 2.6 million tonnes. More than 48,000 hectares are dedicated to the sugar crop. Costa Rica has enough land to feed itself but has dedicated its resources to the production of export crops. Its temperate climate and fertile soils are well suited to agriculture production. There is ample water with an average yearly rainfall of 4 meters, and successful irrigation in more arid regions. The government provides assistance with research, training and technical help. RENEWABLE ENERGY Costa Rica is no stranger to renewable energy. In fact, it gets 99% of all its electrical energy from clean sources, and plans to be carbon neutral by 2021. It has a dozen hydroelectric power plants thanks to its mountainous terrain and rainfall. Despite its renewable track record, the nation is nearly completely reliant on imports for liquid fuels. However, the nation is actively pursuing production of biofuels with help from the gov- ernment and private sectors. Its goal is to eventually reduce or completely replace reliance on petroleum fuel. Costa Rica currently has a mandated 7% biofuel blend, which increases to 10% by 2012. Most of the nation’s ethanol is currently exported. Between 2003 and 2006, its ethanol production was estimated at between 40 and 42 sugar and sugar products for domestic consumption and export. In 2007, the nation had three major ethanol production facilities. Central Azucarera del Tempisque, a sugar refinery, has the capacity to produce 200,000 liters of ethanol per day. Ingenio Taboga can produce 150,000 liters per day and Liga Agricola Industrial de la Cana has Costa Rica currently has a mandated 7% biofuel blend, which increases to 10% by 2012. Most of the nation’s ethanol is currently exported. Ethanol production was estimated at between 40 and 42 million liters per year. million liters per year. Much of that production focused on dehydration of imported hydrous ethanol, typically from the E.U. The nation produces a significant amount of sugarcane and sorghum which can be used as feedstock for ethanol production. Costa has about 56,000 hectares planted with sugarcane, with 52,000 hectares harvested. Total cane production dropped in the 2010-11 crop year to 3.3 million tonnes due to unfavorable weather conditions throughout 2010. Excessive rainfall, higher night temperatures, and reduced light due to cloudy conditions resulted in lower yields in cane. Cane diseases continued to effect several production regions. Orange rust that caused problems in some regions has partially been controlled. However, the nation was still able to meet its domestic needs and export more than 104,000 tonnes of sugar. Its sugar industry is made up of 7,000 producers and 13 sugar mills, with more than 60% of cane production concentrated in the Pacific region. Most of the sugar mills are owned by Costa Rican nationals, but at least one company is owned by Guatemalan investors. The Costa Rica Sugar League (LAICA) regulates the relationship between producers and millers, and also is involved in the marketing and sales of the capacity to dehydrate 110 million liters per season. Costa Rica has enough installed biodiesel capacity that it could achieve a 1% blend. Biodiesel is produced from African palm oil but research is under way on using jatropha as a feedstock. United Biofuels of America (UBA), a biofuel development and advisory organization based in Costa Rica, has several biofuel initiatives in outreach and planning, commercialization and research and development. It has set the Million Gallon Challenge, a goal to produce 1 million gallons of green diesel per day. As part of its multi-purpose real estate program, UBA, along with its partners Day Group and International Energy Advisors (IEA), are selling renewable energy farms to green tech investors. Day Group, a real estate advisory consulting company, searches for areas in Costa Rica where it’s suitable to grow biofuel plantations. IEA sells and promotes the renewable energy farms. One farm includes 800 to 1,000 jatropha and palm trees, a Costa Rican corporation, irrigation, management, road, water and electricity. UBA will sell the jatropha oil produced and give all revenues to the investor minus a 10% management fee. We want your feedback. Send comments and inquiries to BioEditor@sosland.com. For reprints of BFB articles, e-mail reprints@sosland.com www.BioFuelsBusiness.com I BIOFUELS BUSINESS I August 2011 13 http://www.BioFuelsBusiness.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Biofuels Business - August, 2011

Biofuels Business - August, 2011
CONTENTS
Growing in a recession
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
BIOFUELS BUSINESS NEWS
BIOFUELS MARKET REVIEW - Wheat
COUNTRY FOCUS - Focus on Costa Rica
FEATURE - Making the Deal
PRODUCTS & EQUIPMENT
SUPPLIER NEWS
AD INDEX

Biofuels Business - August, 2011

Biofuels Business - August, 2011 - Biofuels Business - August, 2011 (Page 1)
Biofuels Business - August, 2011 - Biofuels Business - August, 2011 (Page 2)
Biofuels Business - August, 2011 - Biofuels Business - August, 2011 (Page 3)
Biofuels Business - August, 2011 - Biofuels Business - August, 2011 (Page 4)
Biofuels Business - August, 2011 - CONTENTS (Page 5)
Biofuels Business - August, 2011 - Growing in a recession (Page 6)
Biofuels Business - August, 2011 - CALENDAR OF EVENTS (Page 7)
Biofuels Business - August, 2011 - BIOFUELS BUSINESS NEWS (Page 8)
Biofuels Business - August, 2011 - BIOFUELS BUSINESS NEWS (Page 9)
Biofuels Business - August, 2011 - BIOFUELS MARKET REVIEW - Wheat (Page 10)
Biofuels Business - August, 2011 - BIOFUELS MARKET REVIEW - Wheat (Page 11)
Biofuels Business - August, 2011 - COUNTRY FOCUS - Focus on Costa Rica (Page 12)
Biofuels Business - August, 2011 - COUNTRY FOCUS - Focus on Costa Rica (Page 13)
Biofuels Business - August, 2011 - FEATURE - Making the Deal (Page 14)
Biofuels Business - August, 2011 - FEATURE - Making the Deal (Page 15)
Biofuels Business - August, 2011 - FEATURE - Making the Deal (Page 16)
Biofuels Business - August, 2011 - PRODUCTS & EQUIPMENT (Page 17)
Biofuels Business - August, 2011 - PRODUCTS & EQUIPMENT (Page 18)
Biofuels Business - August, 2011 - SUPPLIER NEWS (Page 19)
Biofuels Business - August, 2011 - AD INDEX (Page 20)
Biofuels Business - August, 2011 - AD INDEX (Page 21)
Biofuels Business - August, 2011 - AD INDEX (Page 22)
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