Nueces Industriales S.A. — Costa Rica Dried Fruit & Nut Importer

Company Overview

Nueces Industriales S.A. (NISA) is Costa Rica's leading importer, processor, and distributor of peanuts, nuts, healthy seeds, super foods, cereals, and dehydrated fruits. Founded in 1974 and evolved from a family enterprise established in the 1930s, NISA imports over 110 products from more than 35 countries and has held FSSC-22000 food safety certification since 2016.

Nueces Industriales S.A. has its roots in the late 1930s when the company's founder began roasting and grinding coffee, cacao, and peanuts using equipment imported from Germany. In 1974, the formal enterprise Industrias El Unico S.A. was established, supplying food companies that used peanuts as a raw material. Following Costa Rica's trade liberalization in 1996, the company was renamed Nueces Industriales S.A. and expanded its operations to process and commercialize a wide variety of seeds and nuts, eventually becoming the national market leader in its sector.

Since 1998, Nueces Industriales has continuously improved its facilities, production processes, and quality control programs to guarantee product safety across its entire portfolio. In 2015, the company launched the Tienda Nueces concept, a direct-to-consumer retail channel that has achieved significant success in meeting the needs of individual consumers across Costa Rica through both physical stores and an online platform.

Product Portfolio: 110+ Products from 35+ Countries

Nueces Industriales S.A. manages a diverse portfolio exceeding 110 products sourced from over 35 countries. Their product categories encompass almonds, cashews, peanuts, walnuts, pistachios, pumpkin seeds, chia seeds, sunflower seeds, cereals, dried fruits, and custom seed-nut mixtures, serving both industrial B2B clients and direct B2C consumers.

Nuts (Nueces)

Almonds, cashews, walnuts, pistachios, macadamia nuts, hazelnuts, Brazil nuts, and pecans — imported from the United States, Turkey, Iran, Australia, and Vietnam.

Peanuts (Manies)

Raw, roasted, salted, and blanched peanuts in various granulometries — sourced from Nicaragua, Argentina, the United States, and China.

Seeds (Semillas)

Pumpkin seeds, chia seeds, sunflower seeds, flaxseeds, sesame seeds, and hemp seeds — imported from China, India, Mexico, and Bolivia.

Cereals

Oats, quinoa, granola, and breakfast cereal blends — sourced from the United States, Canada, and European suppliers.

Dried Fruits (Fruta Deshidratada)

Raisins, dried cranberries, dried mango, dried pineapple, dried coconut, dried apricots, and figs — imported from Chile, Turkey, Thailand, and the Philippines.

Super Foods & Mixes

Custom trail mixes, protein blends, goji berries, acai, and functional food combinations tailored for retail and industrial clients.

Source: nuecesindustriales.com — company product catalog data, July 2026.

Import Operations & Supply Chain

Nueces Industriales S.A. maintains a global sourcing network spanning 35+ countries, continuously monitoring international markets to secure optimal origins, pricing, and quality for its 110+ product portfolio. The company leverages Costa Rica's trade agreements and its own logistics infrastructure to manage complex multi-origin import operations for nuts, seeds, and dried fruits.

The company's import operations are structured around key HS code categories relevant to the nut and dried fruit trade. Under the Harmonized System, NISA's primary import categories include HS 0802 (nuts such as almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts, cashews, and pistachios), HS 0804 (dates, figs, pineapples, avocados, mangoes, and guavas — fresh or dried), HS 1207 (other oil seeds and oleaginous fruits including pumpkin seeds and chia seeds), and HS 1004 (oats). These HS classifications determine applicable tariff rates, phytosanitary requirements, and import documentation for each product category entering Costa Rica.

Nueces Industriales' supply chain strategy emphasizes diversification of origin countries to mitigate climate-related supply disruptions and geopolitical risks. By sourcing pistachios from both Iran and the United States, almonds from multiple origins, and dried fruits from Southeast Asia, South America, and the Mediterranean, NISA ensures continuity of supply for its B2B industrial clients, supermarket chains, and food service customers across Costa Rica and the broader Central American region.

FSSC-22000 Certification & Quality Standards

Nueces Industriales S.A. has held FSSC-22000 (Food Safety System Certification) since 2016, the gold standard in food safety management. This certification verifies that NISA's processing, storage, and distribution operations for nuts, seeds, and dried fruits comply with ISO 22000, HACCP, and prerequisite program requirements recognized by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI).

The FSSC-22000 certification is particularly significant in the nut and dried fruit industry, where allergen cross-contamination, mycotoxin control, and proper moisture management are critical food safety concerns. NISA's compliance demonstrates that the company maintains rigorous hazard analysis, preventive controls, and traceability systems throughout its supply chain — from raw material reception through processing, packaging, and final distribution to industrial and retail customers.

The company's quality management infrastructure includes advanced technology for sorting, roasting, and packaging, coupled with a collaborative approach that involves working closely with both suppliers and customers to maintain consistent product standards. This end-to-end quality commitment has positioned NISA as the preferred supplier for many of Costa Rica's largest food manufacturers, supermarket chains, and food service companies that require certified food safety compliance from their ingredient suppliers.

Certification Body

FSSC-22000 (Food Safety System Certification 22000)

Year Obtained

2016 — continuously maintained

GFSI Recognition

Recognized by the Global Food Safety Initiative

Scope

Processing, storage, and distribution of nuts, seeds, cereals, and dried fruits

Source: nuecesindustriales.com — quality and certification data, July 2026.

Sustainability: Solar Energy, Water Treatment & Social Responsibility

Nueces Industriales S.A. generates 50% of its energy from over 500 on-site solar panels, reuses 59 tons of waste annually, operates a 100% on-site water treatment plant, and invests significantly in employee training with 135 staff members trained annually. The company has integrated environmental and social sustainability into its core business operations as a reflection of its corporate values.

The environmental sustainability program at NISA addresses multiple dimensions of its operational footprint. The installation of more than 500 solar panels across its facilities enables the company to meet half of its total energy demand through renewable sources, significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions associated with energy consumption. Additionally, the company has implemented comprehensive waste management practices that result in 59 tons of residual materials being reused or recycled annually, diverting waste from landfills and contributing to a circular economy approach within the food processing sector.

On the water management front, Nueces Industriales operates a proprietary water treatment plant at its facilities that processes 100% of the water used in its production operations. This closed-loop approach ensures that no untreated wastewater is released into the municipal system, protecting local water resources and complying with Costa Rica's stringent environmental regulations. The company also actively seeks to minimize the carbon footprint of its international import operations by optimizing logistics routes and consolidating shipments from multiple origin countries.

Renewable Energy

50% of total energy consumption from 500+ on-site solar panels

Waste Management

59 tons of residual materials reused annually

Water Treatment

100% of process water treated in on-site water treatment plant

Employee Training

135 employees trained annually; approximately 10% participate in corporate volunteering

Health & Wellness

On-site medical clinic for employees; biannual blood donation campaigns

Source: nuecesindustriales.com/sostenibilidad — sustainability metrics, July 2026.

Maquila & Private Label Services

Nueces Industriales S.A. offers contract manufacturing (maquila) and private label services for companies seeking to create their own branded nut, seed, and dried fruit products. Clients can specify custom flavors, granulometry, presentation formats, and packaging designs while leveraging NISA's FSSC-22000 certified processing infrastructure and 50+ years of industry expertise.

The maquila service is particularly valuable for supermarket chains, health food brands, and food service companies that want to differentiate their product offerings without investing in their own processing facilities. NISA's production capabilities include raw material sourcing, cleaning, sorting, roasting, seasoning, mixing, and packaging — all performed under strict food safety protocols. The company's flexibility in accommodating specific customer requirements for taste profiles, particle sizes, and packaging specifications has made it a trusted private label partner for both domestic Costa Rican brands and regional Central American companies seeking to enter the healthy snacks and ingredients market.

This B2B service model positions NISA not only as an importer and distributor but also as a strategic manufacturing partner that can add value at multiple stages of the supply chain. International suppliers and exporters of nuts, seeds, and dried fruits who are looking to establish a presence in the Costa Rican and Central American markets can benefit from NISA's processing capabilities and distribution network to deliver finished, retail-ready products to market more efficiently.

Trade Intelligence: Costa Rica Nut & Dried Fruit Market

Costa Rica's import market for edible nuts and dried fruits has shown consistent growth driven by rising health-conscious consumer demand, expansion of the food processing sector, and increasing penetration of super foods and plant-based protein products. As the country's leading importer in this category, Nueces Industriales S.A. serves as a key trade intelligence node for understanding Central American dried fruit and nut import dynamics.

Source: ithalatihracat.biz analysis, July 2026 — based on bill of lading data and nuecesindustriales.com verified company information.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Nueces Industriales S.A. (NISA)?

Nueces Industriales S.A. (NISA) is Costa Rica's leading importer, processor, and commercial distributor of peanuts, nuts, healthy seeds, super foods, cereals, and dehydrated fruits. Founded in 1974, the company imports over 110 products from more than 35 countries and holds FSSC-22000 food safety certification since 2016. NISA serves both B2B industrial clients and B2C consumers through its Tienda Nueces retail channel.

How many products does NISA import and from how many countries?

Nueces Industriales S.A. manages a portfolio of more than 110 products imported from over 35 countries worldwide. Their product range includes almonds, cashews, peanuts, walnuts, pistachios, pumpkin seeds, chia seeds, sunflower seeds, dried cranberries, raisins, cereals, and various seed-and-nut mixtures categorized under HS codes 0802, 0804, 1207, and 1004.

What is FSSC-22000 and why does NISA hold this certification?

FSSC-22000 (Food Safety System Certification) is an internationally recognized food safety standard covering the entire food supply chain, recognized by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI). NISA has maintained FSSC-22000 certification since 2016, demonstrating compliance with ISO 22000, HACCP, and prerequisite program requirements for its nut and dried fruit processing operations, ensuring allergen control, mycotoxin management, and full product traceability.

What sustainability practices does Nueces Industriales implement?

Nueces Industriales generates 50% of its energy from over 500 on-site solar panels, reuses 59 tons of waste annually, operates a 100% on-site water treatment plant, trains 135 employees yearly, and runs biannual blood donation campaigns and corporate volunteer programs. These practices reflect NISA's integrated approach to environmental stewardship and social responsibility in Costa Rica's food processing industry.

Does NISA offer private label and contract manufacturing services?

Yes, Nueces Industriales S.A. provides maquila (contract manufacturing) and private label services for companies seeking custom-branded nut, seed, and dried fruit products. Clients can specify flavors, granulometry, presentation, and packaging while leveraging NISA's FSSC-22000 certified processing facilities, making it an ideal partner for supermarket chains, health food brands, and food service companies across Central America.

Contact Information

Company Name

Nueces Industriales S.A. (NISA)

Website

nuecesindustriales.com

Email

info@nuecesindustriales.com

Phone

+506 4056-5656

Address

La Uruca, Del Taller Romero Fournier, 200 metros al norte y 25 metros al este, San Jose, Costa Rica

Services

Import, Processing, Distribution, Private Label, Contract Manufacturing (Maquila)

Certification

FSSC-22000 (since 2016)

Last Updated: July 21, 2026