Costa Rican exports increase 13 percent from January to April

Costa Rica exported a total of $3.9 billion in goods the first four months of this year, representing an increase of 12.9 percent over the same period  in 2011, the Foreign Trade Promotion Office (Procomer) announced Monday.

According to the report, the total of exports reached $443 million more than the same period last year. Free zones accounted for $2 billion in exports, 17 percent more than previous year.

“Despite some clouds hanging over the international economy, especially in economic regions that are important destinations for our exports, the results show a positive trend,” said Foreign Trade Minister Anabel González.

North America, primarily the U.S., is the leading destination for Costa Rican products (42 percent of total exports), followed by the European Union (19 percent) and Central America and Asia with 13 percent each.

In Asia, Costa Rica has a free-trade agreement in place with China, which increased by 91 percent Costa Rican exports between January and April, according to Procomer figures.