Costa Rica

U.S.-Costa Rica Trade Facts

Costa Rica is currently our 49th largest goods trading partner with $9.6 billion in total (two way) goods trade during 2008. Goods exports totaled $5.7 billion; Goods imports totaled $3.9 billion. The U.S. goods trade surplus with Costa Rica was $1.7 billion in 2008.

Exports

Costa Rica was the United States' 37th largest goods export market in 2008.

U.S. goods exports to Costa Rica in 2008 were $5.7 billion, up 24.0% ($1.1 billion) from 2007, and up 204% from 1994 (the year prior to Uruguay Round).

The top export categories (2-digit HS) in 2008 were: Electrical Machinery ($1.7 billion), Machinery ($610 million), Mineral Fuel (oil) ($459 million), Plastic ($369 million), and Cereal (corn and wheat) ($320 million).

U.S. exports of agricultural products to Costa Rica totaled $608 million in 2008. Leading categories include: coarse grains ($157 million), wheat ($109 million), soybeans ($105 million), and rice ($52 million).

Imports

Costa Rica was the United States' 53rd largest supplier of goods imports in 2008.

U.S. goods imports from Costa Rica totaled $3.9 billion in 2008, a 0.1% decrease ($4 million) from 2007, but up 139% over the last 14 years.

The five largest import categories in 2008 were: Optic and Medical Instruments ($800 million), Edible Fruit and Nuts (pineapples and bananas) ($699 million), Machinery ($436 million), Electrical Machinery ($421 million), and Spices, Coffee, and Tea (mainly coffee) ($193 million).

U.S. imports of agricultural products from Costa Rica totaled $1.2 billion in 2008, the 20th largest supplier of Ag imports. Leading categories include: fresh fruit (excluding bananas) ($425 million), bananas and plantains ($259 million), and coffee (unroasted) ($189 million).

Trade Balance

The U.S. goods trade surplus with Costa Rica was $1.7 billion in 2008, a 172.6% increase ($1.1 billion) over 2007.

Investment

U.S. foreign direct investment (FDI) in Costa Rica (stock) was $3.5 billion in 2007 (latest data available), up 7.9% from 2006.

U.S. direct investment in Costa Rica is mostly in the manufacturing and wholesale trade sectors.