Costa Rica Exports Up in 2016

Original article: The Tico Times

Sales abroad of Costa Rican products grew by 8 percent last year, while exports of services saw a 12 percent increase, according to an official report released Monday.

Officials from the Foreign Trade Ministry (COMEX) and the Foreign Trade Promotion Office (PROCOMER) noted that figures represent 98 percent compliance with the country’s export goals for 2016.

Foreign Trade Minister Alexander Mora said at a press conference that officials are very satisfied with these results, as Costa Rica achieved the best export performance in Latin America. Average export figures recorded last year both in the region and worldwide are negative 6 percent.

“Costa Rica’s results, by comparison, are actually very successful,” Mora said.

Costa Rica’s exports of goods accounted for $9.9 billion last year, up from $9.2 billion in 2015, COMEX reported.

Minister Mora and PROCOMER General Manager Pedro Beirute attributed the positive result to exporters’ efforts to diversify goods and destination markets.

PROCOMER in 2014 launched a social media campaign to encourage local companies to start selling their products abroad. The campaign dubbed “Queremos productos Ticos” (“We want Tico products”), and showed videos of Costa Ricans living abroad describing which Tico products they missed the most.

Mora said positive results in the goods sector was achieved mainly by strong sales abroad of agricultural products that accounted for 27 percent of total exports. Sales of precision and medical devices, as in recent years, also maintained a solid performance and accounted for 26 percent of the total.

Positive sales in both sectors also got a boost from a 14 percent increase in sales from free-zone based companies, the COMEX report noted.

Exports of agricultural products increased by 9 percent from 2015, driven mostly by an 18 percent growth in sales of bananas, and a 9 percent growth in pineapples.

Services exports

Foreign Trade officials said data on exports of services is only available up to the third quarter of 2016. Figures, however, showed an inter-annual growth of 12 percent.

Exports of services during the first nine months of 2016 accounted for $6.1 billion, up from $5.4 billion recorded in the same period during 2015, COMEX report stated.

Companies in the travel sector totaled $2.7 billion, representing a 15 percent increase from the previous period, and those in the business services sector recorded $1.7 billion, or 14 percent more.

Exports of telecommunication, information and IT services accounted for $786 million, representing a 4 percent increase, while the transport sector totalled $333 million, or 18 percent more from 2015.

Minister Mora said that COMEX does not rule out the possibility that Costa Rica could meet or even surpass annual export goals when data is included from all quarters, expected to be available in April.

By regions

Aside from efforts to diversify markets, the positive performance recorded last year reflect increases in sales to the country’s most important markets.

Sales to European Union countries increased by 15 percent, while sales to North American countries — mainly to the United States — rose by 10 percent.

The country also recorded a 3 percent increase in sales to Asian markets, and only recorded a 0.1 percent decrease in sales to the Central American countries.

Minister Mora said that in order to keep up the growing trend, trade authorities are targeting their efforts to improve sales of Tico products in Asian markets, mainly in China.

Contact L. Arias at [email protected]

Costa Rica, Economy, exports

See What Our Guests Are Saying!

Wildlife abundant and the surf was super for our entire week

Sarah
5star rating
July 28, 2022
What a terrific value for a beautiful 3 bedroom 2,5 bath with fenced in outdoor pool in backyard along with outdoor shower! Beach just 2 blocks away on dirt road w curious cows on farmland right out from front door. We love to walk and Dominical h...

A good house with a spectacular view. I would stay…

Robert (review from Airbnb)
4star rating
March 11, 2023
A good house with a spectacular view. I would stay again. Their warning about having a 4x4 vehicle is entirely true; the road to the house is tough.Response:Thanks Robert.

Beautiful Villa with Stunning Views

Arden G. (review from Vrbo)
5star rating
September 2, 2022
Perla de Ballena is situated in the perfect location. Just a short 5 min drive to all amenities but in a very private anf secure place. Daily visits from Toucans, Macaws, monkeys and more. The house is very comfortable and has everything you need ...

Pros: Amazing view and property. A lot of towels, super…

Charline (review from Airbnb)
4star rating
December 20, 2021
Pros: Amazing view and property. A lot of towels, super laundry roomBeautiful bedrooms with great views Beautiful swimming poolAmerican fridge with ice and cold water Cons:Very bad wifi. You can’t do remote work as the wifi lagged all the time. No...

The Casita Quetzal is a brand new house in a…

Carlo (review from Airbnb)
5star rating
March 18, 2023
The Casita Quetzal is a brand new house in a very quiet area 7 minute’ walk from Parque Marino Ballena. The pool is lovely and overall we enjoyed our week vacation very much. Highly recommended!Response:Thanks Carlo! It was a pleasure to Host you...

Our Uvita Treehouse Holiday

Annie B. (review from Vrbo)
5star rating
March 18, 2022
Overall our stay was very enjoyable. We rented both the upper and lower units and were a group of 6 people. The house was clean, the kitchen was pretty well equipped, and the WiFi was quite reliable. The air-conditioning units worked well and the ...

Gorgeous views and your own personal zoo! You will not…

Sara (review from Airbnb)
5star rating
January 24, 2022
Gorgeous views and your own personal zoo! You will not be sorry. The rooms are large and comfortable. Many of them had little kitchenettes with mini fridges. The patios and balconies all had fantastic views. Be aware that The swimming pool and jac...

La atención de los anfitriones es excelente, eso nos dio…

Maureen (review from Airbnb)
5star rating
November 30, 2020
La atención de los anfitriones es excelente, eso nos dio tranquilidad en los días previos y durante la estadía. La casa es preciosa y super cómoda, nos encantó y estamos seguros de volver!!Response:Estamos felices que hayan disfrutado su estadía e...

The property is AMAZING. A real hidden gem, the beach…

Natasha (review from Airbnb)
4star rating
December 28, 2022
The property is AMAZING. A real hidden gem, the beach is walking distance, and so beautiful. The apartment is super modern and very well equipped. Pool area amazing It’s a shame the have a property management team who don’t take the time to respon...

We had a great time here! There were six adults…

Charisse (review from Airbnb)
5star rating
June 30, 2021
We had a great time here! There were six adults and two kids. The family of four stayed on the main floor and the others upstairs. We all had plenty of privacy but also had great communal space. Beautiful pool with a gorgeous view. We took advanta...

Lugar espectacular, es necesario vehículo 4×4 para poder llegar a…

Andrés (review from Airbnb)
5star rating
April 11, 2022
Lugar espectacular, es necesario vehículo 4x4 para poder llegar a este magnífico lugar. Espero volver pronto. Casa totalmente equipada y en perfectas condiciones

Comfortable and exquisite to the core.

Abigail
5star rating
July 25, 2021
Amazing property! Beautiful views, comfortable and exquisite the core. This property is exceptional! Very comfortable for cooking, hanging out, or just relaxation and peace. Definitely worth every penny!

See What Our Guests Are Saying!

We had an incredible stay that we will never forget!!…

Michele (review from Airbnb)
5star rating
March 13, 2022
We had an incredible stay that we will never forget!! The house is absolutely stunning and feels very homey and modern. We can’t wait to come back!! Pura Vida!!

Spectacular home overflowing with amenities!

Sydney M
5star rating
October 13, 2022
Spectacular home overflowing with amenities & breathtaking views from the large windows and infinity pool. Had morning coffee with Capuchin monkeys & an afternoon visit with Toucans & a Great Tiskadee. Great service from OSA and so much to do in t...

El atardecer desde la piscina y terraza privada inigualable. La…

Ana Maria (review from Airbnb)
5star rating
January 27, 2023
El atardecer desde la piscina y terraza privada inigualable. La casa tiene todas las comodidades necesarias incluyendo cocina completa, smart tv, wifi y aire acondicionado. No es una casa lujosa pero es cómoda y está bien cuidada, los cuartos tien...

We loved our time at Cariari!

Emily
5star rating
July 20, 2022
We loved our time at Cariari while studying at a Spanish language school for a week. Beautiful site to wake up on the golf course and watch the golfers. There is beautiful landscaping, excellent security, and all the amenities for short or long t...

Pros: Amazing view and property. A lot of towels, super…

Charline (review from Airbnb)
4star rating
December 20, 2021
Pros: Amazing view and property. A lot of towels, super laundry roomBeautiful bedrooms with great views Beautiful swimming poolAmerican fridge with ice and cold water Cons:Very bad wifi. You can’t do remote work as the wifi lagged all the time. No...

Casa guacamaya

Priscila (review from Vrbo)
5star rating
July 25, 2020
Nos encantó la casa, excelente atención de parte de los administradores y siempre atentos a nuestras consultas, excelente distribución de la casa y su piscina es perfecta para chicos y adultos. Esperamos volver

La casa es excelente, cómoda, muy bien distribuida y cuenta…

Osvaldo (review from Airbnb)
5star rating
December 5, 2022
La casa es excelente, cómoda, muy bien distribuida y cuenta con lo necesario.

Fantastic views! Loved the pool. Definitely need a 4 x…

Dale And Christie (review from Airbnb)
5star rating
May 31, 2022
Fantastic views! Loved the pool. Definitely need a 4 x 4 car especially if it is raining. Perhaps I should already know this but being from Vegas it is not a problem for me, do not leave any food out ever! Ants will find it even if it is very smal...

muy buen servicio, el lugar es privado ynla limpieza muy…

Angelina (review from Airbnb)
5star rating
January 24, 2021
muy buen servicio, el lugar es privado ynla limpieza muy buena, a mi familia nos gusta bastanteResponse:Gracias! Ojala nos vemos otro vez en el futuro.

El lugar es tal y como se ve en las…

Gabriela (review from Airbnb)
5star rating
January 17, 2021
El lugar es tal y como se ve en las fotos, la piscina es privada y es apenas para pasar un buen rato en familia, la casa estaba súper limpia y bien equipada, la cocina está bastante completa. La calle para llegar es de lastre pero cualquier carro ...

© Osa Property Management, SRL 2010 – , All Rights Reserved.
Website by Hudson Creative Studio Hudson Creative Studio.