Costa Rica exports reached $4,124 million in the first quarter of the year, 7% higher compared to the same period last year.
The analysis of this result show that free zone exports increased by 13%. The areas with the highest growth rate were industry, with 9% and agriculture with 3%. However, livestock and fishery fell by 10%
The growth covered different regions except sales to Asia, where there were declines in countries such as Korea, China and Singapore, among others.
The products that show greater dynamism are medical devices, pineapple, banana, watermelon, roots, sugar, fruit juices and concentrates. However, other products showed significant declines, such as coffee, ornamental plants and foliage, beef and laminates.
The Chamber of Exporters (CADEXCO) highlighted the growth in foreign sales because it reflects a positive trade balance in Costa Rica. However, there is a concern that the growth is concentrated only in free zone companies.
In contrast, companies operating under the regime of permanent export, which are located mainly in rural areas show low growth, making the government focus on these sectors.