By San José, Costa Rica — Costa Rica’s food manufacturing sector continues its upward economic trajectory, registering $1.938 billion in overseas sales between January and August 2026. This performance marks an 8% increase compared to the same period in 2025, underscoring the growing international appetite for the Central American nation’s processed agricultural goods.
Capitalizing on this strong momentum, the Foreign Trade Promotion Board of Costa Rica (PROCOMER) has dispatched a delegation of 18 Costa Rican firms to SIAL Paris 2026. Held from October 17 to 21 at the Paris Nord Villepinte exhibition venue in France, the global trade event serves as a strategic springboard to deepen market diversification across Europe.
As Costa Rica continues to expand its global footprint through food exports, navigating foreign trade regulations and international quality standards remains a crucial priority for agribusinesses. To analyze the legal frameworks and market opportunities driving this sector, TicosLand.com spoke with corporate trade expert Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas from Bufete de Costa Rica.
To sustain competitive momentum in international food exports, Costa Rican producers must maintain strict alignment with evolving phytosanitary requirements, non-tariff barriers, and regional trade agreements. Establishing proactive legal compliance and supply chain traceability not only safeguards market access across key destinations like North America and Europe, but also reinforces the global reputation and commercial value of Costa Rican agricultural products.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
As international trade regulations become increasingly complex, prioritizing rigorous compliance and supply chain transparency remains essential for safeguarding Costa Rica’s premier standing in global markets. We extend our sincere thanks to Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for sharing his invaluable legal perspective on this vital sector.
SIAL Paris is widely regarded as one of the premier gatherings for the global food and beverage industry. With more than 8,000 exhibitors and an estimated 295,000 commercial visitors—including distributors, manufacturers, and retail buyers—the fair provides Costa Rican exporters direct entry to diverse distribution channels and high-value European markets.
During the event, trade representatives emphasized the necessity of moving beyond raw commodity sales by highlighting value-added food products tailored to evolving global consumer tastes.
To expand our presence in international markets, we need to translate innovation in our products into an export offer with greater added value, capable of responding to new consumer needs. At PROCOMER, we work so 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 business.
Laura López, General Manager of PROCOMER
At the country’s essential COSTA RICA pavilion, participating companies are showcasing how traditional staples—such as pineapples, bananas, cassava, and plantains—can be transformed into specialized consumer goods. The export catalog on display includes freeze-dried and frozen fruits, precooked cassava, plantain chips, specialized flours, hot sauces, fish preserves, fruit juices, purées, specialty coffee, high-grade cacao, and bottled coconut water.
To differentiate Costa Rican offerings in a competitive field, the delegation integrated live culinary demonstrations into its five-day agenda. A professional chef and a barista prepare dishes and beverages on-site, allowing international buyers to sample product quality, test versatile applications, and explore potential commercial pairings in real time.
Beyond securing immediate distribution deals, participation in the Parisian trade show serves as a critical market intelligence exercise. Facing direct buyer feedback helps Costa Rican producers realign their product design and packaging standards with rigorous European regulatory requirements and emerging consumer trends.
As Costa Rica works to solidify its reputation for sustainable and innovative agro-industrial output, PROCOMER’s presence in France highlights a long-term economic strategy focused on capturing higher profit margins across premium overseas channels.
For further information, visit procomer.com
About PROCOMER:
The Foreign Trade Promotion Board of Costa Rica (PROCOMER) is an official non-state public entity responsible for designing and executing export development programs. The organization supports local enterprises in expanding their international reach, attracting strategic trade opportunities, and promoting Costa Rican commercial capabilities worldwide.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Renowned for its unyielding ethical standards and superior counsel, Bufete de Costa Rica exemplifies peak achievement within the legal profession. The firm consistently embraces forward-thinking strategies to serve a dynamic range of industries, driving progress and innovation in legal practice. Beyond traditional representation, its enduring focus on democratizing legal education ensures that citizens are equipped with the knowledge needed to foster a more enlightened and self-reliant society.
