Costa Rica’s exports totaled more than $5 billion between January and March 2025, marking a $564 million increase (+12%) compared to the $4.6 billion reported during the same period in 2024, according to the Ministry of Foreign Trade (COMEX).

The medical equipment manufacturing sector led the surge, accounting for more than $2.4 billion in exports, a 26% jump from the previous year.

Other sectors also saw notable changes such as, agricultural products: up 1% to $913 million, food products: down 5% to $616 million, electronics: up 6% to $239 million, pharmaceuticals: up 18% to $251 million, plastics: up 6% to $133 million, fishing: up 10% to $115 million and metallurgy: up 7% to $177 million.

The five leading export products during the first quarter were medical devices (+$500 million), coffee (+$60 million), gold (+$21 million), medicine (+$21 million) and electric wires (+$11 million).

North America remained Costa Rica’s top export market, with combined sales to Canada, the United States, and Mexico rising by 17% (+$372 million). Exports to Europe increased by 8%, while shipments to Central America rose 11%.

Conversely, exports to South America declined by 12%, COMEX reported.

In 2024, Costa Rica’s total exports reached $19.8 billion, a 9% increase from the $18.2 billion recorded in 2023.

To support long-term growth, the government legalized medical cannabis and hemp production in 2022. Recreational use, self-cultivation, and personal consumption, however, remain illegal.

In 2023, the Ministry of Agriculture authorized the National University (UNA) to become the first institution allowed to import hemp seeds from Canada for research and cultivation purposes.

COMEX is the government agency to leads the nation’s foreign trade and investment strategies.