Published on Tuesday, September 24, 2024

By the A.M. Costa Rica staff


 

So far this year, from January to August, Costa Rica's exports reached over $12.9 billion, according to the Ministry of Foreign Trade.

The number represents a rise of more than $902 million during the same period in 2023 when exports were about $12 billion.


Among the sectors with the highest growth in exports were 12% in medical equipment manufacturing ($5.4 billion), 7% in agricultural products ($2.4 billion),  6% in food ($84 million) and 5% in food ($1.6 billion).


Some leading export products are medical devices increasing by 42%, banana, pineapple growing by 6%, syrups improving by 4% and coffee rising by 2%.

The main export markets for products made in Costa Rica were North America 10%, Europe 11%, South America 6% and Central America 2%.

In 2023, Costa Rica's exports reached over $18.2 billion. The number represents a rise of more than $6 billion over 2022 when exports were about $12 billion.

To increase exports, in 2022, Costa Rica legalized medical cannabis and hemp production. However, recreational use, self-cultivation, and self-consumption of cannabis are still illegal.

In 2023, the Ministry of Agriculture granted the state-owned National University (UNA) authorization to import hemp seed from Canada to grow and develop research on the plant.

 

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What other products should Costa Rica export?  We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to news@amcostarica.com