Costa Rican exports rise 5.3% in 1st four month of 2011

Costa Rica's exports increased 5.3 percent in the first four months this year, reaching a record high of 3.352 billion U.S. dollars, the country's foreign trade ministry said Wednesday.


At a press conference, Foreign Trade Minister Anabel Gonzalez highlighted the three main export sectors, fishing, agriculture and industry.


"Exports of the three sectors grew at the rates of 10.4 percent, 7.5 percent and 4.3 percent respectively in the first four months," Gonzalez said.


Pineapple exports rose 4.9 percent to 242.9 million dollars, exceeding bananas as the main exported fruit.


Exports of the electronic industry fell 12.3 percent, and continued to be affected by changes of Intel production.


Electricity cable exports grew 77 percent, followed by tires with 37 percent and other electricity-related products with 33.5 percent.


As regards destination markets, the United States continued to be the main receiver with 38.1 percent of Costa Rican exports, Central America was second with 20 percent, while the European Union and Asia ranked third and fourth with 19 percent and 11 percent, respectively.


The country expects to achieve 14.6 billion dollars of exports for the entire 2011 year.
(Source:http://news.xinhuanet.com)