Regarding the food show, Alexis Gallardo, general manager of Productos Lux S.A. of Panama, said, "The four-day promotions were very productive."

As a producer of canned food and hot sauce, Gallardo said the show helped Taiwan businessmen understand that Central America has more than just coffee beans to offer.

"People may be tired of Tabasco now, and here we are providing a fresh and new experience of extra hot sauce."

Gallardo's Congo line of hot sauces are made of specially chosen red Congo pepper found only in the Atlantic coast of Panama. Using the original recipe created 35 years ago, Congo hot sauces are blended with sugarcane vinegar and salt, and remain the leading products in Panama.

Two flavors of Congo sauce ¡X Panama origin and Caribbean ¡X will be available in the Taiwan market within the next two months. Fra-Italia Co., a Taichung-based food importer, is planning to introduce the sauce through its islandwide restaurant network.

Felix Lasso, general manager of Fra-Italia Co., said the Taiwan-Panama free trade pact, which came into effect last year, has helped reduce costs and risks of Taiwan importers.

"Before the pact, we had to pay tariffs of up to 15 percent of the shipment value. Now we are paying 12.5 to 13 percent. As the taxes continue to go down, we are now more willing to import quality goods to Taiwan from Panama," Lasso said.

Central America has also become one of Taiwan's beef suppliers. Since last year, Taiwan has stopped importing beef from the U.S. because of the spread of the mad cow disease. Beef products available in the market are mainly brought from Australia and New Zealand.

According to Central America Trade Office (CATO) Project Manager Anit Lin, Taiwan sent a delegation last year to Central America to scout for alternative beef supply sources. So far, Guatemala and Panama beef are already given the green light, and papers are being processed for Honduras beef.

"Guatemalan beef is in fact on par with American beef and has long been a popular product all over the Americas. It is a grass-fed product, organic and has less fat," Chi Mei Frozen Food Co. Sales Director Jerry Cheng said.

Chi Mei Frozen Food is planning to introduce the product in Taiwan, and will take a decision on it based on public feedback and marketing surveys.

The Central America Trade Office had been promoting a wide array of Central American products in Taiwan.

"There is a long list of food products," said Lin. Besides lobsters, their seafood and liquor have a good reputation worldwide. Honduras produces quality cigars and meat products. Nicaragua is rich in organic fruits, seed oil, shrimps and lobsters. And Salvador excels in food processing.

Indeed, Central America has more than just coffee beans to offer. Beef, seafood, condiments, liquor and many more are also its signature products.