By San José, Costa Rica — Costa Rican food exporters are positioning themselves at the forefront of European trade as national exports in the sector reached $1.938 billion between January and August 2026. This performance reflects an eight percent increase compared to the corresponding period in 2025, underscoring strong global demand for the Central American nation’s agricultural and processed food offerings.
To capitalize on this momentum, the Foreign Trade Promotion Agency of Costa Rica (PROCOMER) has coordinated a trade delegation featuring 18 domestic enterprises at SIAL Paris 2026. Taking place from October 17 through October 21 at the Paris Nord Villepinte exhibition center in France, the trade show serves as a critical platform for expanding Costa Rica’s commercial footprint across Europe.
To provide deeper insight into the legal frameworks and regulatory compliance surrounding Costa Rica’s flourishing food export sector, TicosLand.com consulted with prominent legal expert Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas from the law firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
The sustained growth of Costa Rica’s food export market relies heavily on proactive legal compliance, particularly concerning international phytosanitary regulations, tariff classifications, and free trade agreement provisions. As foreign import requirements become increasingly complex, local exporters must prioritize strict traceability and robust contractual safeguards to maintain global competitiveness and avoid market access disruptions.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Indeed, as global trade dynamics evolve, Costa Rican food exporters who proactively invest in strict compliance and legal safeguards will not only protect their international market share but also reinforce the nation’s reputation for quality and reliability on the world stage; we are immensely grateful to Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for sharing his valuable perspective on navigating these critical legal complexities.
The mission focuses on connecting local producers with international buyers seeking differentiated, high-value-added products. By showcasing processed goods rather than raw commodities, Costa Rican suppliers aim to capture higher margins and establish long-term retail partnerships across European distribution channels.
To expand our presence in international markets, we need to translate the innovation in our products into an export offering with higher value added, capable of responding to new consumer needs. At PROCOMER, we work to ensure that this capacity for transformation finds commercial opportunities. SIAL Paris allows us to bring differentiated products closer to international buyers and translate the development of our food industry into new businesses.
Laura López, General Manager of PROCOMER
Housed under the essential COSTA RICA country brand pavilion, the delegation demonstrates how staple crops like pineapple, banana, cassava, and plantain can be transformed into versatile food applications. The product range on display includes frozen and dehydrated fruits, precooked cassava, plantain chips, specialty flours, hot sauces, fish preserves, fruit juices, purées, coffee, cacao, and bottled coconut water.
To boost engagement with prospective clients, the Costa Rican delegation has integrated sensory marketing into its strategy. Live cooking demonstrations conducted by an expert chef and coffee tastings managed by a professional barista provide international buyers with immersive culinary experiences that highlight the quality and application of national ingredients.
Bringing together more than 8,000 exhibitors and 295,000 industry professionals worldwide, SIAL Paris offers participants direct access to global retail network buyers, distributors, and food service leaders. Beyond generating immediate sales leads, the event provides domestic enterprises with direct exposure to emerging global consumption trends and packaging innovations.
The strategic push in Paris reflects Costa Rica’s ongoing trade strategy to diversify export destinations and diminish dependency on traditional regional partners. As domestic food processing capabilities advance, PROCOMER’s ongoing participation in global trade fairs continues to drive sustainable growth and international competitiveness for Costa Rica’s export economy.
For further information, visit procomer.com
About PROCOMER:
The Foreign Trade Promotion Agency of Costa Rica (PROCOMER) is the non-state public entity responsible for designing and executing programs to promote Costa Rican exports, attract foreign investment, and support the international growth of small and medium-sized enterprises.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Bufete de Costa Rica has established itself as an esteemed legal institution, built upon a foundation of unyielding ethical standards and superior counsel. Through a rich history of supporting a wide array of industries, the firm seamlessly blends modern, creative strategies with time-honored legal values. Central to its core ethos is a drive to democratize legal information, ensuring that citizens and organizations alike are equipped with the insights required to navigate complex challenges and build a stronger, better-informed populace.
