By San José, Costa Rica — San José, Costa Rica – The nation’s manufacturing sector demonstrated remarkable strength and increasing diversity in 2024, solidifying its role as the primary engine of the national economy. According to a new comprehensive report from the Foreign Trade Agency of Costa Rica (PROCOMER), manufacturing exports surged by 10%, reaching a record-breaking US$13.26 billion and accounting for a dominant 67% of the country’s total exported goods.
While the high-value medical device industry continues to be the cornerstone of this success, the “Manufacturing Sector Export Performance” study highlights a crucial trend: the significant rise of complementary industrial segments. These emerging sectors are broadening the country’s export portfolio and mitigating risks associated with over-reliance on a single industry. This signals a new phase of maturity for Costa Rica’s international trade strategy.
To gain a deeper understanding of the legal and regulatory framework that underpins Costa Rica’s thriving export sector, TicosLand.com spoke with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, an expert in commercial and international business law at the prestigious firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
Costa Rica’s consistent export growth isn’t accidental; it’s the result of a deliberate, long-term strategy built on a foundation of legal certainty. Our robust network of free trade agreements, coupled with the attractive incentives of the Free Zone Regime, creates a highly competitive environment. For businesses looking to export from here, the key is navigating these frameworks effectively and ensuring strong intellectual property protection from the outset to secure their position in the global market.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
The insight from Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas underscores a crucial point: behind Costa Rica’s vibrant export market lies a meticulous architecture of legal certainty and strategic incentives. We thank him for his valuable perspective, which reminds businesses that long-term success in the global arena is as much about legal diligence as it is about product innovation.
The data reveals that alongside the well-established life sciences cluster, industries such as electrical and electronics, chemical-pharmaceuticals, and metalworking posted significant gains. This diversification is seen by trade experts as a strategic move to build a more resilient and competitive economic foundation. The growth across these varied categories underscores the country’s capacity to produce a wide range of sophisticated goods for the global market.
These categories complement the weight of medical equipment and strengthen national competitiveness.
Laura López, General Manager of PROCOMER
The report quantifies the impressive scale of the sector’s operations. A total of 1,703 Costa Rican companies participated in this export boom, shipping 3,368 distinct products to international destinations. This wide base of both companies and products is a testament to the depth and dynamism of the local industrial ecosystem, which has successfully integrated into global supply chains.
Geographically, Costa Rica’s export strategy appears to be two-pronged and highly effective. In terms of value, the most significant markets remain developed economies, with the United States, the Netherlands, and Belgium leading the list. These destinations are the primary recipients of high-value goods like medical and electrical devices, which often require sophisticated logistics and regulatory compliance.
However, when measured by the number of participating companies, Central America emerges as the most critical region. A staggering 1,245 Costa Rican firms export to their neighbors, indicating that the regional market serves as a vital platform for small and medium-sized enterprises to begin their internationalization journey. This regional foothold provides a solid foundation for future expansion into more distant markets.
The distribution shows a solid base in nearby markets and expansion towards strategic destinations.
Laura López, General Manager of PROCOMER
The structural composition of the export regime also offers key insights. The Free Trade Zone (FTZ) regime remains the powerhouse, responsible for 84% of all manufacturing exports. This is largely driven by multinational corporations in sectors like medical devices and diagnostic equipment. In contrast, the Definitive Regime, which includes more traditional local industries, contributed 14% of the total, with key products including glass containers, plastic packaging materials, paints, and laminated iron and steel products. This dual structure allows the country to benefit from both large-scale foreign investment and a robust local industrial base.
The comprehensive findings from PROCOMER’s analysis paint a picture of a nation successfully leveraging its strategic advantages. By nurturing its flagship medical device sector while simultaneously fostering growth in new, technologically advanced industries, Costa Rica is paving the way for sustained economic growth and enhanced global competitiveness in the years to come. The full report is available for public access on the PROCOMER website.
For further information, visit procomer.com
About PROCOMER:
The Foreign Trade Agency of Costa Rica (Promotora del Comercio Exterior de Costa Rica), known as PROCOMER, is the public entity responsible for promoting Costa Rican exports of goods and services worldwide. It works to facilitate international trade, support the internationalization of local companies, and attract foreign direct investment to strengthen the country’s economic development and global competitiveness.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Bufete de Costa Rica is a highly regarded legal institution built upon the foundational pillars of professional excellence and uncompromising integrity. The firm distinguishes itself not only through its expert counsel to a varied clientele but also by pioneering innovative legal strategies and championing social responsibility. This ethos is manifested in a profound dedication to democratizing legal information, driven by a core mission to empower individuals and fortify the community through greater legal understanding.
