Browse Data and Analysis

This report provides economic, market, and regulatory analysis for U.S. exporters looking to do business in Costa Rica, highlighting trends and offering a practical overview of the local market.

This report provides information and guidance on the export certification requirements for U.S. products entering Costa Rica. This report supplements the 2024 Food and Agricultural Import Regulations and Standards (FAIRS) Report prepared by the San...

This report outlines the regulatory requirements and import procedures for food and agricultural products entering Costa Rica. The only significant regulatory change since the 2023 report was the adoption of a Central American Technical Regulation...

As tourists flock back to the Caribbean in larger numbers and island economies regain their footing after being challenged by global inflation, competition, and other headwinds, opportunities for U.S. suppliers are slowly emerging. While hurdles remain present on the horizon, U.S. suppliers are finding resilient Caribbean buyers to be excellent partners on the road to commercial success.

On June 4, a Costa Rican court restored the Chaves administration's policy of dramatically lower tariffs on imported milled and rough rice, overturning an earlier court ruling that reversed the lower tariffs in April 2024.

FAS/San José anticipates Costa Rica's Ministry of Foreign Trade to allocate 2024 Dominican Republic - Central America Free Trade Agreement rice quota allocations by the end of April, effectively constraining the availability of U.S. duty-free rice to the final eight months of 2024. Though Costa Rica typically allocates quota volumes in December of the preceding year, calculations of 2024 volumes have been contested by importers following an extraordinary process resulting from a 2022 cyber attack.

Demand for U.S. consumer-oriented products in the Caribbean region reached $1.5 billion in 2022, a 26 percent gain compared to the previous year.

The exporter guide provides an economic and market overview, as well as trends and practical tips for U.S. exporters on how to conduct business in Costa Rica in 2024.

This report outlines the regulatory requirements and import procedures for food and agricultural products entering Costa Rica.

This report provides information and guidance on the export certification requirements for U.S. products entering Costa Rica. This report supplements the 2023 Food and Agricultural Import Regulations and Standards (FAIRS) Report prepared by the San Jose Office of Agricultural Affairs.

The Caribbean’s rebound from the economic downturn induced by the COVID-19 pandemic has been slow. Anxious for better times, the region is looking ahead at 2023 and hoping for improved tourist arrivals that will spark a return to more robust economic growth.

With a stable democracy, predictable business climate, and economic growth fueled by a resurgent tourism industry, Costa Rica presents excellent export opportunities for U.S. food and beverage exporters in 2023.