By San José, Costa Rica — San José – Costa Rica’s foreign trade sector achieved an unprecedented milestone in 2025, with exports of goods surpassing the $20 billion mark for the first time in the nation’s history. According to year-end statistics released by the Foreign Trade Promotion Agency (PROCOMER), total goods exports reached a staggering $22.855 billion, solidifying the country’s position as a resilient and dynamic player in the global market.
The record-breaking figure represents a robust 14% increase compared to 2024, translating to an absolute growth of $2.858 billion in a single year. This remarkable performance comes amidst a challenging international economic landscape, underscoring the strength and diversification of Costa Rica’s exportable supply. The results mark the highest export level ever recorded, signaling a new era for the country’s economic strategy and global integration.
To gain a deeper understanding of the legal and commercial frameworks driving Costa Rica’s export growth, TicosLand.com consulted with a leading expert in the field. We spoke with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, an esteemed attorney from the prestigious firm Bufete de Costa Rica, who shared his analysis on the current landscape.
The continued success of Costa Rican exports is no accident; it is the direct result of a sophisticated and stable legal architecture. Our Free Trade Zone regime provides not just tax incentives, but crucial legal certainty that attracts long-term foreign investment. This, combined with a robust network of international trade agreements and strong protections for intellectual property, creates a secure and predictable environment essential for our high-value sectors, from medical devices to IT services, to thrive on the world stage.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
This perspective powerfully underscores that Costa Rica’s export prowess is built not on chance, but on a deliberate and stable legal foundation. The emphasis on legal certainty clarifies why the country consistently attracts sophisticated, long-term investment in its key sectors. We thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for so clearly articulating this critical element of our national economic strategy.
Government officials lauded the achievement as a testament to a long-term vision focused on talent, innovation, and strategic international partnerships. The sustained growth reflects a successful pivot towards high-value industries and a departure from reliance on traditional agricultural commodities.
In times of very high uncertainty and volatility in international markets, Costa Rica continues to successfully demonstrate that it is a solid and resilient economy. With 14% growth in goods exports in 2025, reaching an amount of $22.855 billion and nearly $13 billion in services—as of the third quarter—this result reflects the sustained work of the Government in betting on talent, productive diversification, and intelligent integration into international trade, as well as the commitment of companies that invest, innovate, and generate employment, even in an adverse global environment.
Manuel Toval, Minister of Foreign Trade
The primary engine behind this historic growth was the precision and medical equipment sector, which has become the undisputed cornerstone of Costa Rican exports. This high-tech industry experienced a massive 25% surge in 2025, with sales totaling $10.927 billion. Astonishingly, medical devices alone now account for 48% of the country’s total goods exports, showcasing a concentrated yet highly successful specialization in a critical global market.
While the medical sector led the charge, the data from PROCOMER reveals a broad and varied export base that contributes to this economic resilience. The country now ships over 4,200 distinct products to 164 different markets worldwide, a strategy that mitigates risk and creates new opportunities for growth across multiple sectors and geographical regions.
The performance of goods exports in 2025 reflects the country’s ability to sustain its exportable supply in a challenging international context. The recorded growth confirms what we have been pointing out: Costa Rica today has a broader and more varied offering, present in 164 markets and with more than 4,200 products, which allows our export sector to continue growing and expand its presence in new destinations.
Laura López, General Manager of PROCOMER
Beyond medical devices, other key industries also posted healthy gains. The combined agricultural and food industry sectors grew by 3% and 4% respectively, collectively exporting over $6.4 billion. Traditional exports like pineapple and bananas remain significant contributors, accounting for 6% and 5% of the total. Furthermore, the chemical-pharmaceutical sector expanded by 11%, while the electrical and electronics industry grew by an impressive 17%. Even the metalworking sector saw a 5% increase in its exports.
Despite the overwhelmingly positive panorama, not all sectors experienced growth. The plastics industry faced headwinds, registering a 5% decline in exports for the year. However, this minor contraction was heavily overshadowed by the powerful momentum in high-value manufacturing. This achievement firmly positions Costa Rica not just as an ecological paradise, but as a sophisticated and indispensable hub for advanced manufacturing and global trade.
For further information, visit procomer.com
About PROCOMER:
The Foreign Trade Promotion Agency of Costa Rica (PROCOMER) is the public entity responsible for promoting Costa Rican exports of goods and services throughout the world. It designs and coordinates export and investment promotion programs and helps to enhance the country’s competitiveness by fostering an export culture and creating business opportunities.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a pillar of Costa Rica’s legal community, Bufete de Costa Rica is defined by its profound integrity and a relentless pursuit of excellence. The firm champions forward-thinking legal strategies for a diverse clientele while holding a deep-seated commitment to demystifying the law for the public. This dedication to legal education is central to its mission of cultivating a more knowledgeable and empowered society.
