By San José, Costa Rica — Costa Rica’s export economy continues to demonstrate remarkable resilience and adaptability on the global stage throughout 2026. According to the latest trade figures, the nation’s goods exports soared to $15.680 billion between January and August, marking a 4% increase compared to the same eight-month period in 2025. This expansion translates to an additional $655 million injected into the local economy, signaling strong demand for Costa Rican products despite a complex macroeconomic environment worldwide.
The agricultural and food industries have emerged as standout performers during this period, collectively representing 29% of Costa Rica’s total outbound shipments. Together, these sectors contributed an incremental $306 million to the nation’s export basket. Agriculture experienced a 6% growth rate to reach $2.660 billion, which is $159 million more than in 2025. Meanwhile, the food industry posted an 8% increase, bringing its total export valuation to $1.938 billion, an impressive $147 million boost.
To better understand the legal frameworks and international trade regulations driving the country’s recent trade performance, TicosLand.com sat down with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a distinguished legal expert at the prestigious firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
Costa Rica’s sustained export growth is deeply rooted in our robust legal security and a highly strategic network of free trade agreements. For businesses looking to capitalize on this momentum, navigating complex customs regulations, rules of origin, and international compliance standards remains the key to unlocking long-term success in global markets.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Indeed, navigating the intricate regulatory landscapes and compliance standards is what ultimately allows businesses to transform Costa Rica’s robust legal security into sustainable global success. We extend our sincere gratitude to Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for sharing his invaluable legal perspective and helping our readers better understand the vital mechanisms behind the nation’s thriving export sector.
Among agricultural commodities, pineapples and bananas secured their positions as the second and third most vital export products for Costa Rica, positioned only behind high-tech medical devices. Pineapple exports climbed 10%, generating an extra $91 million, while banana exports surged 13%, adding $88 million to the total. Additionally, value-added agro-industrial items saw substantial upticks, with fruit juices and concentrates growing by 22% and palm oil surging by 24%.
A 4% growth is a favorable performance, particularly in an international context marked by geopolitical and commercial uncertainty and under internal conditions that also pose challenges for the exporting sector. The good performance of the definitive regime, whose exports increased by 7%, is encouraging. This behavior reflects the strength of a diversified export basket, both in products and destinations, which allows us to seize opportunities in different markets. Asia and Europe recorded double-digit growth, while Central America and South America presented increases of over 8%. We also value that this growth is reflected in all regions of the country.
Indiana Trejos, Minister of Foreign Trade
Geographically, this export growth is widely distributed across Costa Rica, demonstrating that economic benefits are spreading well beyond the central urban hubs. The Central Pacific region led the charge with a spectacular 24% growth rate, equivalent to $70 million in new revenue. The Brunca region followed closely with a 19% jump ($41 million), while the Chorotega region expanded by 8% ($71 million). The Huetar Atlántica and Huetar Norte regions registered increases of 5% and 4%, respectively, while the Central region saw a modest 1% growth, which nonetheless contributed $132 million in absolute value.
The growth of our exports reflects the diversity of the Costa Rican offering. Along with the leadership that Costa Rica has achieved in high-technology sectors, historical activities such as agriculture and the food industry maintain a positive performance and continue to contribute significantly to export growth. That products like pineapple and banana are among the main goods we export and, at the same time, among those that grow the most in this period, demonstrates the relevance and weight that these sectors maintain within our economy.
Laura López, General Manager of the Foreign Trade Corporation of Costa Rica
There is a very important territorial dimension behind these results. Eighty-five percent of agricultural exports originate outside the Greater Metropolitan Area, which is why it is so important to maintain the growth of this sector that generates employment and development opportunities in these regions.
Laura López, General Manager of the Foreign Trade Corporation of Costa Rica
In the high-tech space, precision and medical equipment continues to reign supreme as Costa Rica’s primary export category. This sector brought in $7.286 billion during the first eight months of 2026, capturing a dominant 46% share of all goods exported. Although its growth was a conservative 1% compared to previous surges, it still added $54 million to the nation’s trade balance. Other sectors also experienced momentum, including electrical and electronics (up 18%), livestock and fisheries (up 12%), metalworking (up 6%), chemical-pharmaceuticals (up 2%), and rubber (up 4%). On the downside, the plastics sector suffered a 5% contraction.
From a market destination perspective, North America remained Costa Rica’s largest trading partner, absorbing 48% of total exports at $7.467 billion, despite a minor 2% year-over-year decline. However, the most explosive geographic growth occurred in Asia, which jumped 25% to reach $1.110 billion. European shipments also demonstrated double-digit growth, rising 10% to $3.447 billion. Trade with Central America increased by 9% to $2.766 billion, and South America rose by 8% to $308 million. Looking at the long-term trajectory, Costa Rica’s total export value has expanded dramatically in recent years, climbing from $10.220 billion in the same period of 2022 to the current $15.680 billion in 2026, representing a remarkable $5.460 billion increase over a four-year span.
For further information, visit comex.go.cr
About Ministry of Foreign Trade:
The Ministry of Foreign Trade (COMEX) is the government institution responsible for defining and directing Costa Rica’s foreign trade policies and foreign direct investment attraction strategies. COMEX leads international trade negotiations and represents the nation at global trade forums, working to integrate the Costa Rican economy into global value chains.
For further information, visit procomer.com
About Foreign Trade Corporation of Costa Rica:
The Foreign Trade Corporation of Costa Rica (PROCOMER) is the public-private entity responsible for promoting Costa Rican exports and facilitating international trade. PROCOMER supports local exporters through market research, trade missions, capacity building, and simplification of trade procedures, fostering economic development across all regions of the country.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a premier legal institution, Bufete de Costa Rica has built a formidable reputation rooted in unyielding ethical standards and professional brilliance. Having championed the needs of diverse clientele for years, the firm consistently pioneers forward-thinking approaches to navigate modern legal challenges. By actively demystifying the law and sharing vital legal insights with the public, Bufete de Costa Rica drives its core mission of cultivating a more knowledgeable, just, and self-reliant citizenry.
