Costa Rica Completes First Export of Medical Cannabis to the EU
This export is significant in Costa Rica's history
Costa Rica has successfully completed its first export of pharmaceutical-grade medical cannabis to the European Union. This shipment, announced today by Hybrida Farms, departed Costa Rica on March 13th.
The company asserts that the export was conducted in compliance with Costa Rican marijuana laws, regulatory regulations, international treaty requirements, and the import regulations of the EU member state receiving the shipment. The export was carried out by Hybrida Farms, a brand operated by Vantage Point Global CR S.A., which claims to be the first and only operator in Costa Rica with a dual license to manage both medical marijuana containing THC and industrial hemp.
GACP Certification: Key to the European Market
This export is significant not only because it marks the first transaction of its kind in Costa Rica's history, but also because it involved GACP-certified medical marijuana intended for the European market. GACP stands for Good Agricultural and Collection Practice, a standard that governs the cultivation, harvesting, drying, storage, and recordkeeping of medical products. For companies aiming to supply medical markets in Europe, obtaining this certification is often a crucial requirement.
Investment and Development of Cultivation Infrastructure
Hybrida's operations are based on a former large farm in Cartago, which was previously used for tomato cultivation for export. The company has since transformed this property into a pharmaceutical-grade cultivation campus, incorporating greenhouse and indoor production, in-house tissue culture, precision fertilization, and third-party testing.
Importance of Exports for the Market and Economy
In announcing the shipment, company representatives hailed it as a significant commercial breakthrough and evidence that Costa Rica can compete in the global medical marijuana market. They noted that the project has already generated hundreds of local jobs and involved millions of dollars in investments for infrastructure, suppliers, and employee training.
Company Statements
Cultivation Director Riley Shields stated that the shipment demonstrates Costa Rica's capability to produce high-quality cannabis for the European medical markets. Meanwhile, CEO Jorge Luis Calderón Chaves emphasized that these efforts are founded on providing safe, tested medicines and fostering long-term trust in the supply chain.
More From Soft Secrets:
L
Liz Filmer
.png)
