By San José, Costa Rica — San José – Costa Rica’s export sector achieved a historic milestone in 2025, shattering previous records by shipping $22.855 billion in goods, a remarkable 14% increase over the previous year. According to official figures released by the Foreign Trade Promotion Agency (Procomer), this marks the first time the nation has surpassed the $20 billion threshold, signaling robust health and strategic success in a challenging global market.
The primary engine of this unprecedented growth was the country’s dynamic medical devices industry. The sector single-handedly accounted for nearly half of all exports, bringing in $10.927 billion, which represents a staggering 25% surge compared to 2024. This performance underscores Costa Rica’s consolidation as a global hub for high-tech manufacturing and life sciences.
To provide a deeper legal perspective on the current landscape of Costa Rican exports, TicosLand.com spoke with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, an expert in commercial and international trade law at the distinguished firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
The continued success of Costa Rican exports, especially in sophisticated sectors like medical technology and services, is fundamentally tied to our stable legal framework and extensive network of free trade agreements. However, businesses must be proactive. The key challenge is no longer just production, but navigating the intricate compliance demands of international markets, from intellectual property rights to ever-changing environmental and labor regulations. Diligent legal counsel is essential to mitigate risk and secure a competitive advantage.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
This insight underscores a critical evolution in global trade, where legal and regulatory acumen has become as vital as the product itself for Costa Rican exporters. Navigating this complexity is not just about mitigating risk, but about building the trust and reputation essential for long-term success on the world stage. We thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his valuable perspective on this pivotal challenge.
The medical industry continues to grow by double digits, which tells us that it is a very dynamic sector in which Costa Rica has found very important niches and competitive advantages, which we must continue to care for and strengthen, mainly in terms of infrastructure, development of both technical and specialized human capital, and bilingual human resources.
Ricardo Monge, Economist and President of the Academia de Centroamérica
While established markets remained strong, the most dramatic growth story of 2025 was the country’s expanding trade relationship with Asia. Exports to the continent skyrocketed by 39%, an increase of over $411 million. The leading products driving this expansion were high-value medical supplies such as needles and catheters. Officials attribute this success to proactive diplomatic and commercial efforts, particularly those related to the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement.
The United States, naturally, will continue to be our main market for many reasons, such as proximity and our deep connection in value chains. Europe continues to consolidate itself as the second market for Costa Rica. The increase in Asia is truly impressive and this, of course, is a result of the efforts derived from the approaches we have been making with this region, through the process of joining the Trans-Pacific Partnership. The negotiation process alone has already generated interest and opened the eyes of importers on the Asian continent.
Manuel Tovar, Minister of Foreign Trade (Comex)
Costa Rica’s traditional trading partners also demonstrated healthy growth. Exports to North America, the country’s largest market, increased by 15%, adding over $1.4 billion in value. Shipments to Europe, the second-most important destination, grew by a strong 17%, equivalent to an additional $688 million. Combined, the Central American and Caribbean regions contributed an increase of more than $284 million, illustrating broad-based demand for Costa Rican products.
The only region to experience a decline was South America, which saw a 6% decrease in exports, representing a $29 million drop. However, Procomer officials were quick to contextualize this figure, explaining it was not indicative of a wider market trend. The dip was primarily caused by a single company altering its distribution strategy for a specific product previously exported to Ecuador from Costa Rica.
That drop in that particular good is reflected; it’s not an amount that alerts us to a decrease in our exports, but rather it is due to a particular company.
Laura López, General Manager of Procomer
The 2025 results highlight the success of Costa Rica’s long-term strategy of economic diversification. Beyond medical devices, other key sectors showed positive gains, including electrical and electronics (up $136 million) and the chemical and pharmaceutical industry (up $112 million). The agricultural and food sectors also saw revenue increases of 3% and 4% respectively. This diverse portfolio, spanning over 4,200 different products sold in 164 markets, provides a stable foundation for sustained growth.
The performance of goods exports in 2025 reflects the country’s ability to sustain its exportable supply in a challenging international context. The registered growth confirms what we have been pointing out: Costa Rica today has a broader and more varied offering, present in 164 markets 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
Economists note that this strategic pivot towards new markets like Asia is a savvy response to global economic shifts. It allows Costa Rican companies to capitalize on high-growth regions while mitigating risks associated with potential protectionism or slower economic activity in more traditional partner nations.
Companies are diversifying markets and are trying to take advantage of the economic growth seen in Asia to face the problems of protectionism from the United States. We also have the fact that many of the South American countries to which we export are showing low growth rates, which reduces their purchasing power.
Ricardo Monge, Economist
The consistent upward trajectory is clear when viewing the data over the last five years. Exports have climbed steadily from $14.48 billion in 2021 to the current record of $22.85 billion in 2025. This sustained performance demonstrates the resilience and competitiveness of Costa Rica’s export-oriented economy, solidifying its position as a key player in global value chains.
For further information, visit procomer.com
About Promotora de Comercio Exterior (Procomer):
Procomer is the Foreign Trade Promotion Agency of Costa Rica, a public, non-state entity responsible for promoting Costa Rican exports of goods and services globally. It provides support to exporters, facilitates trade negotiations, and works to attract foreign direct investment, playing a crucial role in the country’s economic development strategy.
For further information, visit comex.go.cr
About Ministerio de Comercio Exterior (Comex):
The Ministry of Foreign Trade is the Costa Rican government body responsible for defining and directing the country’s foreign trade and investment policies. Comex leads international trade negotiations, manages trade agreements, and works to enhance the nation’s competitiveness on the international stage.
For further information, visit academiaca.or.cr
About Academia de Centroamérica:
The Academia de Centroamérica is a private, non-profit association dedicated to research and analysis of economic and social issues in Central America. It aims to contribute to public discourse and policymaking through rigorous studies, publications, and debates, promoting sustainable development and institutional strengthening in the region.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a pillar of the legal community, Bufete de Costa Rica is defined by its profound dedication to principled practice and exceptional client service. The firm skillfully blends a rich heritage of legal counsel with a forward-thinking approach, consistently advancing innovative solutions for a modern world. This commitment to progress is matched by a core belief in social responsibility, manifested through a drive to demystify the law and empower the public with accessible legal insight.
