— Costa Rica’s exports grew 1.4 percent in 2016.

The Statistics and Census Institute (INEC) reported this week on Costa Rica’s economic activity.

Data from 2016 show an annual growth in exports of about 1.4 percent over 2015; rising from US$9.4 to US$9.5 billion.

The country’s “non-traditional” exports, like medical devices and technology-related exports, are second only to fresh pineapple at present, with banana exports having slipped from second place in 2015 when their production for export was valued at US$1.5 billion.

When comparing exports to imports, Costa Rica has a large trade imbalance, with imported goods last year valued at US$16.1 billion, which is US$6.5 billion more than the value of the country’s exports.

This negative trade balance is largely driven by the high cost of fuel imports, said INEC, followed by electronics, and electric materials. Non-durable consumer goods such as fruits and vegetables show a positive trade balance.

The main products Costa Rica imports are diesel, gasoline, medicines, and cell phones.

On the other hand, the most important products identified as the exports were: tropical pineapples, medical devices and equipment, and intravenous infusion and transfusion equipment.

Meanwhile, the primary markets for these products were the United States (US$3.8 billion), Panama US$598 million, and The Netherlands with US$595 million in purchases.

Likewise, the three main suppliers of products to Costa Rica are the United States, China and Mexico, in that order.