Costa Rican exports up 7.8 percent

Costa Rican exports of goods increased by 7.8 percent between January and October this year compared to the same period in 2011, the Foreign Trade Promotion Office (Procomer) reported.

During the period, the country sold products worth $9.4 billion, which represents $678 million more than in 2011.

Exports from the Free Trade Zone sector increased 11.7 percent, while companies outside the regime increased sales 3 percent, according to Procomer.

Sales from companies in free zones increased from $4.5 billion in the first 10 months of 2011 to nearly $5 billion in the same period this year.

Among the most important products are: pineapple, with increased exports of 9.7 percent, from $594 million to $651 million; electric wires, with an increase of 33 percent; coffee, up 17 percent; and medical supplies, which registered a whopping 130 percent increase, according to the report.