In a significant boost to Costa Rica's food production industry, Coca-Cola FEMSA recently announced a major investment of 22.41 billion pesos, approximately $45 million, into its production plant located in Calle Blancos. This commitment to expanding production capabilities underscores the company's confidence in the Costa Rican market and its strategic growth initiatives.
On the same day, Alimentos Prosalud (APS) celebrated the inauguration of its new pet food production facility in El Roble, Puntarenas, Costa Rica. This facility, which began operations in late 2024, marks APS's entry into the pet food sector as part of its broader five-year growth strategy aimed at enhancing its international presence.
Puntarenas was carefully selected for the location due to its prosperous fishing industry and strategic access to maritime trade routes, which will support APS's goal of addressing the growing demand for premium pet food products. APS's new facility has an impressive investment footprint of $10 million, spans 2,600 square meters, and boasts a daily production capacity of 500,000 canned pet food units.
According to an APS representative, "Our entry into the pet food sector is a strategic move aligned with our growth objectives." This emphasizes the company's commitment to diversifying its production portfolio and meeting consumer demand in key markets such as the U.S., Canada, Spain, and Germany.
Both companies are making significant contributions to the local economy, with APS's new production facility alone directly employing over 1,500 individuals and supporting an additional 5,000 jobs indirectly. Recent expansions have also led to the hiring of more than 150 new employees, showcasing the impact of these developments on the region’s job market.
The APS facility not only introduces the Vital Nutrition premium brand of wet pet food, which has been developed based on extensive market research and nutritional studies, but it also operates under strict international food safety and quality standards, holding a global certification. The product formulation incorporates insights from food technologists, animal nutritionists, and industry experts, ensuring a high nutritional value and palatability for pets.
In terms of sustainability, APS is leading the way with initiatives to optimize raw material usage and implement energy-efficient processes. This includes repurposing tuna by-products into fishmeal, illustrating the company’s commitment to sustainable practices that align with global trends focused on environmental responsibility.
The investment and expansion efforts by Coca-Cola FEMSA and APS exemplify a broader trend of growth within Costa Rica’s food production sector. Coca-Cola FEMSA’s investment aims to significantly bolster its production capacity in response to market demands.
A spokesperson from Coca-Cola FEMSA remarked, "The new plant will significantly bolster our production capacity," highlighting the corporation's ongoing commitment to strengthening its operational framework in the region.
The simultaneous expansions by both companies reflect a vibrant future for Costa Rica's food production landscape, positioning the country as an essential player in both local and international markets. As these investments unfold, they promise to contribute substantially to the nation’s economic development while meeting increasing consumer demands across diverse categories within the food industry.
As companies like Coca-Cola FEMSA and Alimentos Prosalud continue to invest in production and innovation, it highlights the potential for growth not only within their respective markets but also within the broader Central American region. This strategic focus on expansion and sustainability will likely shape the future of Costa Rica's food production and its role in global supply chains.
