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Production of genetically engineered products (primarily cotton for seed and pink pineapples) is expected to increase in 2025 as new cotton events are expected to be approved by the National Technical Biosafety Commission.

Industry experts expect a November 11, 2023, update to the Costa Rican biotechnology regulatory framework will facilitate utilization of innovative biotechnologies and reduce barriers to common applications of modern biotechnology.

Despite the private sector's support for biotechnology, Venezuela maintains a ban on the domestic use and research of modern biotechnology-derived agriculture. Venezuela’s basis for the ban is through the Seed Law of December 2015, which also prohibits the importation of genetically engineered (GE) seeds.

Genetically engineered crop area planted increased in 2023, though it remained small and limited to cotton for seed and pink pineapples.

Despite private sector support for biotechnology, Venezuela’s ban on the domestic use of and research on modern biotechnology-derived agriculture remains in place. The backbone of this ban is the Seed Law of December 2015, which also prohibits the importation of genetically-engineered seeds.

Though area planted with genetically engineered crops continued to fall in 2022, expanded operations of another cottonseed producer, opportunities to increase pink pineapple exports, and a new government opposed to ‘red tape’ could reverse this trend in 2023. While neither livestock nor other animal producers in Costa Rica appear interested in animal biotechnology applications at this time, a regulatory structure exists.

The Venezuelan regime bans the use and research of modern biotechnology-derived agriculture. The United States is currently the leading exporter of biotech-derived crops to Venezuela, including corn, soybeans, soybean meal, and soybean oil.

Transgenic seed varieties have been grown in Costa Rica since 1992. All of the seeds are exported to the United States.

Transgenic seed varieties have been grown in Costa Rica since 1992 with all seeds being exported to other countries.

The Government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela (GBRV) bans the use and research of modern biotechnology-derived agriculture.

Transgenic seed varieties have been grown in Costa Rica since 1992 with all seeds being exported to other countries.

Transgenic seed varieties have been grown in Costa Rica since 1992 with all seeds being exported to other countries.