Because of the growing supply of dollars in the local market, which is explained in part by the income of $1.5 billion from the recent issue of Eurobonds, so far in November the price per dollar in the wholesale market has been reduced at ₡16,55.
Official figures from the Central Bank of Costa Rica (BCCR) report a downward trend in recent weeks, as between November 5 and 22 the price has dropped from ₡585,52 to ₡568,97, equivalent to a 3% variation. See full figures.
After the exchange rate closed on August 23 at ₡565,88 per dollar in the wholesale market MONEX, an upward trend has been reported since then, reaching ₡581,33 per dollar on September 5, which could be the result of a lower participation of the Central Bank in the exchange market.
Official figures from the Central Bank of Costa Rica (BCCR) report that between early February and mid-August of this year, there has been a fall of up to 48 colones per dollar, when reporting a drop in the average rate in the wholesale market Monex from ₡613,87 to ₡565,88.
In Costa Rica, the exchange rate closed on Tuesday, August 20th at 565.88 colones per dollar in the wholesale market MONEX, its lowest level since late May last year.
The exchange rate for this Tuesday closed at ₡565.88 in MONEX, its lowest level since late May last year. The current level implies an appreciation of the national currency against the dollar of 7.2% so far this year and -0.6% in the comparison of 12 months.
In Costa Rica, it is expected that the downward trend that has been showing the exchange rate since February will intensify in the coming months, when the $3.580 million begins to enter as a result of the issuance of Eurobonds and loans granted by external entities.
According to data from the Central Bank of Costa Rica (BCCR), between the beginning of February and July 30 of this year, there has been a fall of up to 44 colones per dollar, reporting a drop in the average rate in the wholesale market Monex from ¢613.87 to ¢570.13.
A greater supply of dollars, high local interest rates and a decrease in imports of durable goods explain the decreasing trend of the exchange rate in Costa Rica, which on June 18 reached the lowest level of the year.
In 2018, the dollar price against the Colon was on an upward trend, however, between February 6 and mid-June of this year, there has been a fall of up to 28 colones per dollar. [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with graph"]
In Costa Rica, the exchange rate of the Colon against the Dollar began 2019 upwards, but from February 6 to mid-May, a fall of up to 26 colones per dollar has been reported.
After the average exchange rate against the Dollar in the Monex wholesale market increased from ¢609.05 to ¢613.87 between January 1 and February 6 of this year, there have been continuous declines in recent months, with one of the lowest levels of the year being recorded on May 16, ¢587.97.
In Costa Rica, in the first half of the month, the exchange rate of the dollar with respect to the colon recorded a downward trend, however, from January 16 to 24 it increased almost 9 colones per dollar.
After the average exchange rate against the dollar in the wholesale market fell from ¢610.7 to ¢600.3 between January 8 and January 16, Monex has registered continuous increases in the last few days, rising to ¢609 on January 24.
The exchange rate began in November by recording ¢621 in the windows of some banks and ¢617 in the Monex wholesale market.
In accordance with reports since mid-August, the upward trend of the exchange rate in Costa Rica is not slowing down. According to data from the Central Bank, between August 16th and November 1st in the wholesale market Monex, the Colon has registered a depreciation in relation to the U.S.
In Costa Rica, the currency depreciation persists, with the exchange rate reaching ¢616 in the windows of some banks and ¢610 in the Monex wholesale market.
The increasing trend of the exchange rate in Costa Rica is not stopping. According to data from the Central Bank, between September 27 and October 30 in the wholesale market Monex the Colon has registered a considerable devaluation against the U.S.
The Costa Rican currency continues to depreciate, and the exchange rate in some Banks was already 600 Colones and more per dollar.
The upward trend of the exchange rate in Costa Rica has been observed in recent days. The Central Bank estimates that between September 27 and October 11, the exchange rate in the wholesale market Monex reported a clear upward trend, which is reflected in the increase from ¢570.75 to ¢597.43 per dollar, equivalent to a depreciation of 4.67%. [GRAFICA caption="Click to interact with graphic"]
Uncertainty caused by the deteriorating fiscal situation and the economic slowdown are the reasons for the increase in the dollar exchange rate compared to the Colón, which has seen twelve days of consecutive increases.
According to Central Bank authorities, the depreciation of the local currency in relation to the US dollar is partially explained by the doubts generated by the deterioration of public finances and the absence, to date, of a legislative agreement to resolve at least part of the problem, all in the context of rising international interest rates.
After three months of relative stability, the price of the US currency compared to the Colón increased from ₡568 in mid-August to ₡571.6 at the end of the month.
Nacion.com reports that "...Although the variation is small, since it is only 0.64%, it breaks a stable period that was maintained from May 31 to August 14.In that period it remained very close to ¢568."
It is expected that under current economic conditions, the local currency will depreciate on average 3.6% against the US dollar in 2018.
The monthly survey on expectations of exchange rate variations up to December 2017 made by the Central Bank, foresees that during the next 12 months the Colón will depreciate by 3.6%, which would mean an increase of ₡20.52 according to the average price on the Monex Wholesale Market of ₡570.20 at the close of last year.
Raising interest rates and more and more intervention in the foreign exchange market are two of the measures that the Central Bank of Costa Rica plans to take to prevent further sharp increases in the price of the dollar against the Costa Rican colon.
Following a sharp increase in the price of the dollar against the colon a few days ago, the Central Bank announced a series of measures that it could take as part of its "commitment to price stability."At 11 am on Tuesday, May 23, the reference exchange rate of the BCCR stood at 590.57 colones per dollar.
So far in May the average price of the dollar in the wholesale Monex market has increased by 2%, going from ₡566/US$ on May 1st to ₡578/US$ on the 17th.
On May 17, in the Monex wholesale market, the average price of a dollar was quoted at ₡578 per dollar, while at bank windows the selling price reached ₡582. [GRAFICA caption="Clic para interactuar con la gráfica"]