The Costa Rican delegation, led by the Costa Rican Foreign Trade Promotion Agency (Procomer), which is made up of 30 companies from the agricultural sector, showcased a wide range of high quality fruits, vegetables and tubers, such as pineapple, banana, melon, watermelon, cassava, tiquisque, Hass avocado, ginger or papaya, among other traditional Costa Rican export products.
"The country's participation in Fruit Attraction is part of our strategy to diversify markets and support exporters in identifying new business opportunities. Europe, the second most important partner of the Costa Rican agricultural sector, considers Costa Rica a supplier of excellent goods. Our global leadership in pineapple, banana and cassava exports reflects our companies' commitment to competitiveness and the high quality standards demanded by these markets," says Laura López Salazar, general manager of Procomer.
"Costa Rica is the world's leading supplier of pineapples, the third in bananas and the fourth in cassava to Europe. The country has also successfully ventured into technological sectors, standing out as the largest per capita exporter of medical devices in the Americas. In the global market, Costa Rican pineapples are not just an average pineapple, nor are its bananas just an average banana. Our products stand out for their quality and added value," says Laura López proudly.
With an international network of more than 27 commercial offices in continents such as America, Europe and Asia, Procomer has built a bridge between Costa Rican products and the global markets to promote exports and attract foreign investment to the country.
Procomer, as a promoter of national exports, focuses on supporting Costa Rican companies, offering advice, facilitating their participation in international fairs and the creation of commercial agendas. This makes it easier to introduce products in already consolidated markets, as well as in new niches. "We attend more than 40 international fairs a year, and that's allowing us not only to promote Costa Rican products, but also to find new buyers for our products," says Laura López.
Procomer's strategy focuses on consolidating the presence of products that already enjoy a dominant position in the global markets, such as pineapple, bananas and cassava, and on diversifying the supply with emerging products.
Procomer also aims to attract foreign investment. With more than 500 multinationals established in the country, Costa Rica has proven to be an attractive destination for goods and services companies. The organization is working not only to attract new investment, but also to ensure that business conditions remain optimal for the expansion of these companies.
"In terms of future prospects, Costa Rican exports have shown sustained growth. In 2023, the export sector grew by 15%, and a further 9 to 11% increase is expected by the end of this year. This growth has been three times greater than that of the Costa Rican economy as a whole, which reflects the relevance of exports for the country's economic development. Our export sector continues to achieve double-digit growth, which is a clear sign of the success of our strategy and the talent of our producers," says López.
According to Procomer data, by the end of August 2024, the agricultural sector had achieved a 7% growth (+$165 million) compared to the same period last year, reaching $2.42 billion. This sector is the second most important for the country's exports of goods, with a 19% share of the total.
However, there are still great challenges ahead. Like other countries in Latin America, Costa Rica is facing the impact of climate change, especially in its agricultural sector, which is fundamental to its export economy. Also, the high-tech sector, which is also outstanding in Costa Rica, faces a shortage of specialized talent, a concern that López also addressed. "The challenge of finding new talent in a context marked by automation and artificial intelligence is a priority that we must face in order to retain our leadership with complex products, such as medical devices."
Procomer also manages the country brand "Esencial Costa Rica", which has contributed to the country's international positioning. This brand highlights Costa Rican values of sustainability, innovation and talent, projecting an image of quality that has been key to the nation's growth in global markets, says López.
For more information:
Laura López Salazar
Promotora del Comercio Exterior de Costa Rica (Procomer)
Tel.: +506 2505 4832
[email protected]
www.procomer.com