This is according to the estimates of the Chamber of Exporters of Costa Rica (Cadexco). The decline in international prices for products such as coffee is one of the reasons for the decline in exports. Agricultural exports could go from $2.510 billion in 2012 to $2.341 billion in 2013.

Cadexco described it "as 'difficult' in 2013, due to minimal growth of foreign sales, and anticipated that 2014 will be a similar year with an expected rise of 5% in exports", noted an article in Prensalibre.cr.

This growth could come as long as the U.S. grows at projected levels, that Europe remains stable and China does not "slow sharply".

"It has been a difficult year, with a strong economic downturn, and it is a wakeup call to the authorities to do something so that this exporting engine does not stall," said Monica Segnini, president of the Chamber of Exporters.

Source: prensalibre.co.cr

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