Costa Rican Exports Show Robust Growth in Early 2026

The beginning of 2026 has yielded positive figures for the country’s export sector, recording a 6% growth compared to the first two months of 2025.

According to media outlets such as Infobae, a significant portion of this increase is attributed to the rising valuation of Costa Rican goods in Asian markets, primarily Japan and China. These nations are no longer just vital import partners but have also become key export destinations, showing a 57% surge in their purchases. This propelled total exports to an estimated $3.383 billion during January and February 2026, marking a 6% increase relative to the same period last year.

Furthermore, other regional markets remain pivotal for national exports, for example Europe accounts for 21% of total trade, while Central America represents 18%. This growth complements the continued strengthening of North America as the primary destination for Costa Rican exports, consolidating a major achievement for the sector.

Among the industries driving this milestone, the medical devices sector stands out as the most robust, growing by 4%. Notably, the pharmaceutical and agricultural sectors also saw significant gains, increasing by 14% and 3%, respectively. These figures align with the trends observed in 2025; according to the Instituto Nacional de Estadísticas y Censos (INEC), the country’s leading exports for that year were medical instruments and appliances, followed by fresh pineapples.

For more details, visit:Instituto Nacional de Estadísticas y Censos and Infobae