The Exporters Chamber (Cadexco) estimated losses at nearly $7 million, as many products have not been shipped and efforts to avert the roadblocks have resulted in higher transport costs.

Added to these losses are fines due for making ships sit idle in port and production delays experienced by several companies, which are still awaiting raw materials and have missed deadlines for delivering finished products.

In statements to the newspaper La Nacion, National Agricultural and Agroindustrial Chamber president Jose Antonio Madriz said exports of fresh farm products normally bring in some $5 - 6 million daily, but official figures have yet to be given on losses accrued over the course of the week.

Mario Montero, director of the Costa Rican Food Industry Chamber, told reporters the sector was losing $2 million every day the truckers continue to block the roadways and ports.

Business owners and manufacturers expressed supported the early Wednesday morning police operations that managed to reestablish traffic on national highways and have kept it flowing Thursday.

They also made a call to resume negotiations, suspended since Tuesday.

Nonetheless, the parties have failed to make any headway.