Certificaciones agrícolas en el sector agroexportador: barreras e impulsores en Costa Rica
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Las certificaciones agrícolas se han consolidado como mecanismos clave para el acceso y permanencia en mercados agroexportadores, aunque su implementación implica desafíos económicos, organizativos e institucionales. El objetivo de esta investigación fue analizar los principales impulsores, barreras y efectos organizacionales asociados a las adopción y cumplimiento de certificaciones agrícolas en Costa Rica. Se desarrolló un estudio cualitativo de carácter exploratorio-interpretativo, basado en entrevistas semiestructuradas a actores del sistema agroexportador, incluyendo personas productoras, empresas exportadoras, agencias de certificación, instituciones y gremios vinculados a las certificaciones. Los resultados muestran que el principal impulsor es el acceso a mercados internacionales y el fortalecimiento organizacional asociado a la trazabilidad y la gestión productiva. No obstante, las barreras se asocian con costos de implementación, exigencias técnicas y limitaciones institucionales que condicionan la permanencia en los esquemas de certificación. Se concluye que las certificaciones han evolucionado de instrumentos de diferenciación a requisitos estructurales de acceso a mercado, configurándose como mecanismos de gobernanza productiva dentro de las cadenas agroalimentarias. En consecuencia, su implementación requiere estrategias sectoriales y políticas públicas orientadas a fortalecer capacidades productivas, institucionales y competitivas del sector agroexportador.
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