Since October 15, 1997 fancy, French green beans have been shipped out of the area for export to the United States.  As of January 31, 2005, 6,496,131 pounds have been shipped and checks for $1,591,150.60 have been written to the farmers and to the trucker for transport to the cooperative which exports the beans to the States.  The truck takes 7 hours to reach the cooperative where the beans are graded, cleaned, and packed for shipment. And please note that $3.24 per day is the going wage for a day’s work in the area.