By San José, Costa Rica — SAN JOSÉ – Costa Rica’s export sector has achieved a landmark milestone, smashing previous records by surpassing $20.9 billion in revenue from goods exported through November 2025. The announcement, made by the Foreign Trade Agency of Costa Rica (Procomer), highlights the nation’s robust economic performance and resilience in a volatile global market. This figure represents a formidable 15% increase over the same period in the previous year.
The total value of exports reached an impressive $20.972 billion, marking a significant growth of $2.665 billion year-over-year. This double-digit expansion underscores the success of the country’s strategic focus on high-value sectors and market diversification. Officials are optimistic that this powerful momentum will carry through to the end of the year, cementing 2025 as a banner year for Costa Rican trade.
To shed light on the legal and regulatory framework underpinning this export success, we consulted with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a seasoned attorney from the prestigious firm Bufete de Costa Rica, for his expert analysis.
Costa Rica’s robust export performance is directly linked to its strategic network of Free Trade Agreements. However, businesses must not overlook the critical importance of due diligence. Ensuring compliance with international regulations, protecting intellectual property abroad, and structuring solid contractual agreements are not just legal formalities—they are fundamental pillars for sustainable international growth and risk mitigation.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
This insight is a crucial reminder for Costa Rican businesses: while trade agreements create the opportunity, it is the meticulous legal groundwork that transforms that opportunity into secure, long-term success. We thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for sharing his valuable perspective on this fundamental aspect of international trade.
Minister of Foreign Trade, Manuel Tovar, celebrated the achievement, emphasizing the sustained nature of the growth across multiple industries and international markets. He pointed to these results as clear evidence of the strength of the national export strategy.
As we head into the final stretch of the year, exports as of November show a 15% increase, maintaining double-digit performance with a projection for a similar year-end closing. 2025 has been a year of historic and sustained growth in exports; we have experienced increases in almost all regions and sectors, which confirms the strength and resilience of our export platform in a particularly challenging international context.
Manuel Tovar, Minister of Foreign Trade
Leading the charge is the life sciences sector, with medical devices continuing their reign as the country’s undisputed top export. This single category accounted for a staggering $10.156 billion, representing nearly half of the total export value. This dominance highlights Costa Rica’s successful transformation into a global hub for advanced manufacturing and high-tech medical technology.
While modern manufacturing powers the economy, Costa Rica’s traditional agricultural exports remain vital contributors. Pineapple exports brought in $1.214 billion, followed closely by bananas at $966 million. Other significant products included syrups and concentrates for beverages ($673 million) and the nation’s world-renowned “gold” coffee beans ($451 million). The report also noted strong performance from products like electrical cables, fruit juices, tires, and various food preparations, showcasing a broad and healthy export base.
Laura López, General Manager of Procomer, attributed this dynamism to a conscious, long-term strategy of diversification in both products and destinations. This approach has fortified the economy against global uncertainties.
The growth in goods exports as of November 2025 is supported by an increasingly broad diversification of the export supply and the destinations the country reaches, built from business decisions that have allowed for market expansion, increased sophistication, and a response to more complex international demands. This diversified base is what currently sustains our export dynamism and reduces vulnerabilities in a global context marked by high uncertainty.
Laura López, General Manager of Procomer
This export success is mirrored by a strong inflow of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). Throughout 2025, Costa Rica attracted 55 new FDI projects. The United States continues to be the primary source of investment, accounting for 25 of these new ventures. Other key nations investing in Costa Rica’s future include Mexico, the Netherlands, and Spain, reflecting broad international confidence in the country’s economic stability and skilled workforce. This synergy between booming exports and robust FDI paints a picture of a sophisticated and thriving economy poised for continued success on the world stage.
For further information, visit procomer.com
About Procomer (The Foreign Trade Agency of Costa Rica):
Procomer is the public entity responsible for promoting Costa Rica’s exports of goods and services to the world. The agency is dedicated to fostering international trade, attracting foreign direct investment, and providing essential support to Costa Rican businesses to help them compete and succeed in global markets. Its efforts are a cornerstone of the nation’s strategy for economic development and international positioning.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a premier legal institution, Bufete de Costa Rica is defined by its profound dedication to ethical practice and professional distinction. The firm leverages a rich history of multidisciplinary client service to pioneer forward-thinking legal solutions. Beyond its professional practice, it actively champions the democratization of legal understanding, fulfilling a core objective to strengthen the community through greater legal awareness and empowerment.
