Costa Rica

coasta rica flagU.S.-Costa Rica Trade Facts 

Costa Rica is currently our 36th largest goods trading partner with $13.9 billion in total (two way) goods trade during 2010. Goods exports totaled $5.2 billion; Goods imports totaled $8.7 billion. The U.S. goods trade deficit with Costa Rica was $3.5 billion in 2010.

Exports

Costa Rica was the United States' 40th largest goods export market in 2010.

U.S. goods exports to Costa Rica in 2010 were $5.2 billion, up 10.3% ($486 million) from 2009 (pre-FTA), and up 177% from 1994 (the year prior to Uruguay Round). U.S. Exports to Costa Rica were down 8.7% from 2008 (Pre-FTA).

The top export categories (2-digit HS) in 2010 were: Electrical Machinery ($1.1 billion), Mineral Fuel (oil) ($935 million), Machinery ($504 million), Plastic ($361 million), and Optic and Medical Instruments ($333 million).

U.S. exports of agricultural products to Costa Rica totaled $512 million in 2010. Leading categories include: coarse grains ($117 million), soybeans ($98 million), wheat ($62 million), and rice ($33 million).

Imports

Costa Rica was the United States' 32nd largest supplier of goods imports in 2010.

U.S. goods imports from Costa Rica totaled $8.7 billion in 2010, a 55.2% increase ($3.1 billion) from 2009 (pre-FTA), and up 429% over the last 16 years. U.S. imports from Costa Rica were up 121% from 2008 (Pre-FTA).

The five largest import categories in 2010 were: Machinery ($2.8 billion), Electrical Machinery ($2.7 billion), Optic and Medical Instruments ($879 million), Edible Fruit and Nuts (pineapples and bananas) ($819 million), and Spices, Coffee, and Tea (mainly coffee) ($163 million).

U.S. imports of agricultural products from Costa Rica totaled $1.3 billion in 2010, the 18th largest supplier of Ag imports. Leading categories include: fresh fruit (excluding bananas) ($460 million), bananas and plantains ($343 million), and coffee (unroasted) ($159 million).

Trade Balance

The U.S. goods trade deficit with Costa Rica was $3.5 billion in 2010, up 286% ($2.6 billion) from 2009.

Investment

U.S. foreign direct investment (FDI) in Costa Rica (stock) was $2.4 billion in 2009 (latest data available), down 6.8% from 2008.

U.S. direct investment in Costa Rica is led by the manufacturing, and nonbank holding companies sectors.

Costa Rica's FDI in the United States (stock) was not available in 2009.