Although the avocado is not one of the products of large production and export in Costa Rica, according to data from SEPSA-BCCR in 2011 this product was exported mainly to European countries and Latin America. In total, 192,573 tons of avocados were sent abroad of which 70% was destined for Italy, 13% to Panama, 12% to the UK and to a lesser extent it was exported to Nicaragua and El Salvador.
Although Costa Rica exported avocados, the avocado produced in the country was not enough to meet internal demand so in 2011 there were greater amounts of imports than exports of the fruit during the same period.
Avocado imports to meet domestic demand came to 9957,95 tons of which 70% was imported from Mexico, main supplier for the Costa Rican market. Other suppliers in order of importance are Nicaragua with 30% and Peru with 8%.
Costa Rica hopes to increase its avocado export capacity and further diversify its export markets, which could be done in the future through higher production volumes.