Costa Rica Major Imports by Category and Value

Petroleum ether leads the 2024 import market with a value of $2.26 billion, significantly exceeding other commodities. High-value technology like the iPhone 11 ($693 million) and essential medicaments ($615 million) also represent major segments. The data highlights a heavy reliance on imported energy, consumer electronics, and pharmaceutical products to sustain domestic demand.

The United States is the dominant supplier, accounting for 48.3% of total imports with a value of $8.65 billion. China follows with a 22.55% share. Combined, these two nations provide over 70% of imports, indicating a high level of trade dependency on these major economies, while Mexico and Brazil maintain smaller, single-digit shares.

Japan and Panama are the fastest-growing trade partners, posting remarkable growth rates of 30.46% and 29.36% respectively. Although China is already a top-tier supplier, it continues to expand its footprint with 18.98% growth. These figures suggest a strategic shift and diversification in supply chains toward Asian and regional logistics hubs.