AGP Executive Report

Agribusiness: Del Monte’s banana business posted a US$2.7 million gross loss on US$313.3 million in sales in Q3. Higher freight, currency pressure and disease-control costs in Costa Rica weighed on results as the company continues closing four local farms. Trade Policy: President Laura Fernández scrapped Costa Rica’s bid to join the CPTPP and dismissed Trade Minister Indiana Trejos, citing a lack of transparency in negotiations. The move follows opposition from agricultural producers, despite the pact’s potential access to a market of about 600 million consumers. Power Sector: A major electricity reform bill failed to secure the 38 votes needed for passage. The government says it is preparing a narrower proposal that would need a simple majority. Transport & Exports: Costa Rica has opened bidding for the US$770 million San José–San Ramón highway expansion, while PROCOMER is helping 10 local companies pursue opportunities in the global aerospace supply chain.

Trade Policy: Costa Rica has withdrawn its bid to join the CPTPP, citing a lack of transparency in negotiations, and dismissed Trade Minister Indiana Trejos. The move follows protests from producer groups, especially in agriculture. Commercial Beekeeping: The Constitutional Court is reviewing rules that allow unrestricted commercial use of just two of the country’s 58 stingless bee species; a challenger says the limits could hinder trade and jobs. Energy: Lawmakers blocked a major electricity reform bill after it fell short of the 38 votes required. President Laura Fernández says the government is drafting a narrower replacement that needs a simple majority. Food and Agriculture: Del Monte’s third-quarter sales rose 7.2%, but its banana segment posted a gross loss amid lower shipments, competition and supply constraints. Supply Chains: Costa Rican exporters face an opportunity to join the global aerospace sector, with PROCOMER supporting 10 companies seeking new supply-chain roles.

Commercial Vehicles: Vietnam’s Kim Long Motor signed an MoU with Costa Rican distributor Vertex R.L. to explore bringing its buses and commercial vehicles into Costa Rica and Central America. Vertex is also developing EV charging infrastructure, which could support future electric-vehicle sales. Air Connectivity: Southwest is adding 11 nonstop international routes, including new service linking U.S. cities with Liberia and San José, expanding access for Costa Rica’s tourism sector. Aerospace: PROCOMER backed 10 Costa Rican aerospace companies at a major U.S. industry convention as they sought buyers, supply-chain opportunities and investment. Medical Manufacturing: Trelleborg says its new Costa Rica facility is operational, strengthening its capacity to serve medical-device and life-sciences customers. Infrastructure: Costa Rica has opened bidding for the $770 million San José–San Ramón highway expansion, with construction expected to begin in mid-2027.

Air Links: Southwest is adding nonstop service to Costa Rica, including routes to Liberia and San José, expanding access from several U.S. cities. Commercial Vehicles: Vietnam’s Kim Long Motor signed an agreement with Costa Rica’s Vertex R.L. to explore sales of commercial vehicles, with potential to expand across Central America and build on Vertex’s EV-charging network. Aerospace Exports: PROCOMER brought 10 Costa Rican aerospace companies to a major U.S. aviation trade show to pursue buyers, supply-chain contracts and investment. Infrastructure: Costa Rica has opened bidding for the $770 million San José–San Ramón highway expansion, a key freight and commuter corridor; construction is expected to begin in mid-2027. Agriculture: Costa Rican farmers’ pesticide use is drawing scrutiny, with studies reporting levels far above global averages. Food Trade: U.S. dairy imports to Costa Rica jumped 69% after tariffs were removed, adding pressure on local producers.

Automotive Expansion: Vietnam’s Kim Long Motor signed an MoU with Costa Rican distributor Vertex R.L. to explore bringing commercial vehicles into Costa Rica and wider Central America, including potential electric-vehicle sales. Aerospace: PROCOMER backed 10 Costa Rican companies at the NBAA-BACE trade event in Las Vegas as they pursue global supply-chain deals and investment. Infrastructure: Costa Rica opened bidding for the $770 million San José–San Ramón highway expansion, with construction expected to begin in mid-2027. Agriculture and Trade: U.S. dairy imports to Costa Rica surged 69% after tariffs were removed, intensifying competition for domestic producers.

Infrastructure: Costa Rica has opened bidding for the $770 million San José–San Ramón highway expansion, with construction expected to begin in mid-2027. Agriculture: Banana growers are adapting to heat, heavy rain and black sigatoka with research into gene editing, biological soil controls and drone surveillance. Food Industry: U.S. dairy imports into Costa Rica surged 69% after tariffs were removed, raising pressure on local producers. Mining: Washington accused Chinese firms in Nicaragua of practices linked to illegal gold digging across Costa Rica’s northern border; Beijing rejected the claims.

Environmental Crime: Costa Rica joined Latin American countries backing UN negotiations on a protocol targeting illegal mining, wildlife and timber trafficking, and waste crimes. Infrastructure: The country opened bidding for the $770 million San José–San Ramón highway expansion, with construction expected to begin in mid-2027. Mining: The U.S. says Chinese mining firms in Nicaragua are driving illegal gold extraction across Costa Rica’s northern border; Beijing denies the allegations. Agriculture: Weather shifts and fungal pressure are squeezing banana exports, prompting research into gene editing, biological soil controls and drone monitoring. A separate study found Costa Rican pesticide use exceeds the global average.

Transport Infrastructure: Costa Rica has opened bidding for the $770 million San José–San Ramón highway expansion, a 55.6-kilometer project expected to move into construction in the second half of 2027. Agriculture: Banana producers are contending with heat, heavy rain and black sigatoka, while research at EARTH University is exploring gene editing, biological soil controls and drone monitoring. A separate study found farmers use pesticides at nearly twice official rates. Food Trade: U.S. dairy imports to Costa Rica rose 69% after tariffs were removed, adding pressure on domestic producers. Mining: The U.S. Embassy says Chinese mining firms in Nicaragua contribute to illegal gold extraction across Costa Rica’s northern border; China denies the claims.

Mining and Border Security: The U.S. says mining practices by Chinese firms in Nicaragua are fueling illegal gold extraction in northern Costa Rica. Beijing denies the allegations, putting cross-border enforcement and mining oversight in focus. Transport Infrastructure: Costa Rica has opened international bidding for the $770 million San José–San Ramón highway expansion. The 55.6-kilometer project is expected to begin construction in the second half of 2027. Agriculture: The banana sector is testing gene editing, biological soil controls and drone surveillance to counter heat, heavy rain and black sigatoka. Farm Inputs: Recent studies raise concern over pesticide use, reporting levels far above global averages and, in one study, nearly twice official recommendations.

Mining: The U.S. Embassy says mining practices by Chinese firms in Nicaragua are pushing artisanal miners across the border to dig for gold illegally in northern Costa Rica. China rejects the allegation, putting cross-border mining and enforcement in focus. Bananas: Weather shifts and black sigatoka have squeezed export volumes. Costa Rican researchers and growers are exploring gene editing, biological soil controls and drone monitoring to protect production. Infrastructure: Costa Rica has opened bidding for the $770 million San José–San Ramón highway expansion, with construction expected to start in the second half of 2027. Agriculture: Studies point to pesticide use well above official or global benchmarks, raising concerns for growers and regulators. Dairy Trade: U.S. dairy imports into Costa Rica surged 69% after tariffs were removed, intensifying pressure on local producers.

Banana Industry: Costa Rica’s exporters face heat, heavy rain and black sigatoka, which have squeezed shipments. Researchers are testing gene editing, biological soil controls and drone monitoring to protect harvests. Infrastructure: The San José–San Ramón highway project has moved to international bidding, with construction expected to begin in the second half of 2027 after decades of delays. Agriculture: A new study estimates pesticide use on cropland at nearly twice the official rate. The gap largely reflects different calculations: including lower-use pastures brings the study’s figure close to the government’s. Food Trade: U.S. dairy imports to Costa Rica rose 69% after tariffs were removed, adding pressure on local producers. Services: A report says seven in ten Costa Rican restaurants fail to comply with pricing rules.

Infrastructure: Costa Rica has opened international bidding for the $770 million San José–San Ramón highway expansion, a 55.6-kilometer project expected to move into construction in 2027 and serve roughly 170,000 daily motorists. Agriculture: A new study estimates pesticide use on cropland at 21.9 kilograms per hectare—nearly double the official average, which also counts lower-use pastureland. Bananas and pineapples rank among the most pesticide-intensive crops. Food Trade: U.S. dairy imports into Costa Rica surged 69% after tariffs were removed, intensifying competition for local producers. Research and Innovation: The University of Costa Rica has acquired its first 3D bioprinter, expanding research into tissue regeneration and biomaterials, though the equipment is not intended to produce transplantable organs or treatments.

Automotive: Inchcape cut its 2026 margin outlook after vehicle volumes halved in Australia, but is expanding in the Americas through planned acquisitions of Volvo businesses in Costa Rica and Peru. Infrastructure: Costa Rica opened international bidding for a $770 million expansion of the San José–San Ramón highway, a key freight and commuter route used by about 170,000 motorists daily. Agriculture: A new study estimates pesticide use on Costa Rican cropland at 21.9 kilograms per hectare annually—more than ten times the global average—with banana and pineapple production among the heaviest users. Food Trade: U.S. dairy imports rose 69% in two years to $66.4 million, intensifying competition for local creameries as cheese—especially mozzarella—dominates shipments. Medical Technology: BMC Health announced the first commercial implantations of its male incontinence device in Alajuela, including treatment by a Costa Rican surgeon; follow-up will assess safety and patient outcomes.

Infrastructure: Costa Rica has opened international bidding for the $770 million expansion of the San José–San Ramón highway. The 55.6-kilometer project would add lanes to a corridor used by about 170,000 motorists daily. Research and Biotech: UCR’s new 3D bioprinter will support research into tissue engineering and biomaterials; it is not intended to produce transplantable organs. Agriculture: A study estimates pesticide use on cropland at 21.91 kilograms per hectare annually—more than ten times the global average. The higher figure reflects a cropland-only calculation; including lower-use pastures brings it close to the government’s estimate. Food Services: Inspections found 73% of 70 restaurants had at least one pricing violation, often failing to include the mandatory service charge in menu prices. Dairy: U.S. dairy imports rose 69% in two years after tariffs were removed, intensifying competition for local creameries and milk producers.

Dairy Imports: U.S. dairy shipments to Costa Rica rose 69% to $66.4 million by August, following tariff removal in 2025. Imported mozzarella is intensifying competition for local creameries and reducing demand for Costa Rican milk. Agriculture: A new study estimates pesticide use on Costa Rican farmland at 21.91 kilograms per hectare annually—more than ten times the global average—with banana and pineapple production among the major contributors. Fisheries: Costa Rica accounted for 82% of global silky shark product exports from 2020 to 2024. The trade is under CITES review, and exports could face restrictions if sustainability cannot be demonstrated. Tourism: Southwest plans new routes to San José and Liberia in 2027, adding air links from Austin and Nashville. Investment: A regional economic outlook points to Costa Rica’s growing high-value services and manufacturing exports as strengths behind its competitive growth.

Dairy Trade: U.S. dairy imports climbed 69% to $66.4 million by August, after tariffs were eliminated in 2025. Imported mozzarella is squeezing local creameries, with one processor reporting 30,000 kilograms of unsold cheese. Tourism Connections: Air Canada is adding a Vancouver–Liberia route to its winter network, expanding access to Costa Rica for Canadian travelers. Clean Manufacturing: Medical cannabis producer Hybrida Farms says its Cartago operation runs on Costa Rica’s 98.6%-renewable electricity grid and is creating skilled jobs. Seafood Exports: Costa Rica supplied 82% of global silky shark product exports from 2020 to 2024. The trade faces scrutiny: failure to show the fishery is sustainable could lead to new controls or an export suspension.