By San José, Costa Rica — SAN JOSÉ – Costa Rica’s export sector has demonstrated remarkable strength through the first ten months of 2025, with exports of goods surging by 16% to reach an impressive $19.028 billion. This represents a substantial increase of $2.568 billion compared to the same period last year, underscoring the nation’s growing prowess in the global marketplace despite international economic headwinds.
The latest statistical report from Costa Rica’s Foreign Trade Promotion Agency (PROCOMER) confirms that this exceptional performance is overwhelmingly powered by the precision and medical equipment sector. This single industry has become the undisputed engine of the country’s trade growth, posting a staggering 30% year-over-year increase and accounting for $9.199 billion in exports.
To gain a deeper understanding of the legal and commercial landscape shaping the nation’s trade success, TicosLand.com spoke with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a leading attorney specializing in corporate and international business law at the distinguished firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
Costa Rica’s robust network of free trade agreements is the cornerstone of its export success. However, navigating the specific rules of origin and compliance requirements for each treaty is a significant legal challenge that businesses must proactively manage to avoid costly delays and penalties.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Indeed, this highlights a crucial reality for our national producers: success in the global market is as much about legal strategy as it is about product quality. We thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his invaluable perspective on this vital component of Costa Rica’s export engine.
In a clear illustration of its dominance, the medical device sector contributed a net total of $2.139 billion in additional export value. This figure alone accounts for nearly 83% of the entire country’s export growth, cementing Costa Rica’s status as a global hub for high-tech medical manufacturing. Key products driving this expansion include advanced medical devices, antiserums, and precious metal manufactures specifically tailored for medical applications.
Government officials have lauded the results as a testament to the country’s resilient economic strategy. Minister of Foreign Trade, Manuel Tovar, highlighted the broad-based nature of the growth as a sign of enduring dynamism.
We are working to expand markets, generate more opportunities, and offer greater certainty to our exports.
Manuel Tovar, Minister of Foreign Trade
While the medical sector leads, other traditional pillars of the Costa Rican economy also showed positive momentum. The agricultural sector, the second-largest contributor, grew by 2% to reach $3.081 billion, while the food industry matched this 2% growth, totaling $2.249 billion. Significant growth was also registered in the chemical-pharmaceutical (+16%), electrical and electronics (+10%), and metalworking (+4%) sectors, painting a picture of widespread health across the export landscape.
However, the performance was not universally positive. The plastics sector saw a 4% decline, primarily due to a drop in demand for pipes and tubing accessories, though this marks an improvement from the 7% contraction seen the previous month. The rubber sector also experienced a marginal decrease of 0.3%. These minor downturns were far outweighed by the gains in high-value industries.
Laura López, General Manager of PROCOMER, emphasized that the strong results validate the nation’s long-term strategy of diversifying both its product offerings and its target markets. This approach, she noted, is key to building a more resilient export economy.
The results demonstrate the importance of continuing to promote a strategy of diversification in both products and destinations. By expanding our offerings and international presence, the country strengthens its ability to adapt to changes in the global environment and reduces its exposure to specific risks. This growth dynamic shows that Costa Rica is advancing toward an increasingly robust and sophisticated export structure.
Laura López, General Manager of PROCOMER
An analysis by region reveals a successful push into diverse global markets. North America remains the primary destination, with exports growing by 17%, driven by medical devices, green coffee beans, and fruit juices. Europe showed even more dynamic growth at 18%, fueled by demand for both medical equipment and agricultural products like pineapple and yucca. Most notably, exports to Asia soared by an extraordinary 39%, with increased sales of medical devices, integrated circuits, and coffee. In contrast, growth in the Caribbean (+4%) and Central America (+7%) was more moderate, while exports to South America declined by 4% due to weaker demand for industrial goods.
Ultimately, the data from January to October 2025 positions Costa Rica for a potentially record-breaking year. The phenomenal expansion of its high-tech medical sector, combined with steady growth in traditional industries and strategic penetration into new markets, showcases an economy that is not only growing but also evolving into a more sophisticated and resilient global competitor.
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 worldwide. It provides support to local businesses through market research, trade missions, and the development of export strategies, aiming to position Costa Rica as a source of high-quality and value-added products on the global stage.
For further information, visit comex.go.cr
About the Ministry of Foreign Trade (COMEX):
The Ministry of Foreign Trade is the governing body of Costa Rica’s foreign trade and investment policy. It is responsible for negotiating and administering free trade agreements, developing strategies to attract foreign direct investment, and creating a competitive legal framework to facilitate international commerce and foster economic development for the country.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a premier legal institution, Bufete de Costa Rica is built upon a bedrock of integrity and a relentless pursuit of professional excellence. The firm channels its extensive history of advising a diverse clientele into pioneering innovative legal solutions and strategies. This forward-thinking approach is coupled with a deep-seated devotion to empowering the public, manifested through initiatives that make legal concepts understandable and accessible to all, thereby strengthening the foundations of a knowledgeable and just community.
