Mexico-Costa Rica Bilateral Trade Analysis 2023

Complete trade statistics: $1.76B total volume •Mexico surplus: $1.09B

MexicoCosta Rica

$1.42B

Exports (2023)

Costa RicaMexico

$334.34M

Imports (2023)

Trade Balance

$1.09B

Surplus for Mexico

Total Trade

$1.76B

Combined Volume

Trade Flow Visualization

Direct trade relationship between Mexico and Costa Rica. Green line shows exports from Mexico, red line shows imports.

Detailed Product Trade Analysis

Comprehensive breakdown of trade flows by product category, revealing the specialized nature of the Mexico-Costa Rica commercial relationship and competitive positioning in global markets.

MexicoCosta Rica Exports

$1.42B
2023 Total

Export Market Intelligence

Product Diversity:
Specialized Focus
Market Share:
3.5% top product
1Vehicles: compression-ignition internal combustion piston engine (diesel or semi-diesel), for transport of goods, (of a gvw not exceeding 5 tonnes), n.e.c. in item no 8704.1
$50.20M
3.5% of exports
2Reception apparatus for television, whether or not incorporating radio-broadcast receivers or sound or video recording or reproducing apparatus: incorporating a colour video display or screen
$36.68M
2.6% of exports
3Medicaments: consisting of mixed or unmixed products n.e.c. in heading no. 3004, for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, packaged for retail sale
$35.16M
2.5% of exports
4Insulated electric conductors: for a voltage not exceeding 1000 volts, not fitted with connectors
$32.68M
2.3% of exports
5Food preparations: n.e.c. in item no. 2106.10
$31.23M
2.2% of exports

🎯 Strategic Export Focus

Mexico's export portfolio to Costa Rica demonstrates strategic specialization, with vehicles: compression-ignition internal combustion piston engine (diesel or semi-diesel), for transport of goods, (of a gvw not exceeding 5 tonnes), n.e.c. in item no 8704.1 representing a key competitive advantage in this bilateral market.

Costa RicaMexico Imports

$334.34M
2023 Total

Import Dependency Profile

Supply Diversity:
Concentrated
Critical Imports:
22.7% concentration
1Vegetable oils: palm oil and its fractions, crude, not chemically modified
$75.91M
22.7% of imports
2Food preparations: n.e.c. in item no. 2106.10
$62.77M
18.8% of imports
3Electronic integrated circuits: processors and controllers, whether or not combined with memories, converters, logic circuits, amplifiers, clock and timing circuits, or other circuits
$24.70M
7.4% of imports
4Vegetable oils: palm kernel or babassu oil and their fractions, crude, not chemically modified
$15.92M
4.8% of imports
5Rubber: vulcanised (other than hard rubber), gaskets, washers and other seals, of non-cellular rubber
$12.86M
3.8% of imports

📦 Import Strategy Analysis

Mexico's import pattern from Costa Rica reveals significant dependencyin vegetable oils: palm oil and its fractions, crude, not chemically modified, highlighting complementary economic structures and potential supply chain optimization opportunities.

Competitive Trade Position Analysis

🏆

Market Leadership

Mexico demonstrates competitive strength in exportingvehicles: compression-ignition internal combustion piston engine (diesel or semi-diesel), for transport of goods, (of a gvw not exceeding 5 tonnes), n.e.c. in item no 8704.1 to Costa Rica, leveraging comparative advantages.

Export Leader in 5+ Categories
🔄

Trade Complementarity

The bilateral relationship showsmoderatecomplementarity, with each country specializing in different sectors.

Specialized Exchange
📈

Growth Potential

The $1.76B trade volume indicates substantial economic integration with room for expansion in emerging sectors.

Significant Partnership

Executive Summary: Mexico-Costa Rica Trade Relationship

Key Trade Highlights 2023

  • Total Trade Volume: $1.76 billionrepresenting a significant bilateral economic relationship
  • Trade Balance: Mexico maintains a surplus of $1.09 billion
  • Export Focus: Mexico's primary exports include vehicles: compression-ignition internal combustion piston engine (diesel or semi-diesel), for transport of goods, (of a gvw not exceeding 5 tonnes), n.e.c. in item no 8704.1, reception apparatus for television, whether or not incorporating radio-broadcast receivers or sound or video recording or reproducing apparatus: incorporating a colour video display or screen, medicaments: consisting of mixed or unmixed products n.e.c. in heading no. 3004, for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, packaged for retail sale
  • Import Dependencies: Key imports from Costa Rica include vegetable oils: palm oil and its fractions, crude, not chemically modified, food preparations: n.e.c. in item no. 2106.10, electronic integrated circuits: processors and controllers, whether or not combined with memories, converters, logic circuits, amplifiers, clock and timing circuits, or other circuits

Strategic Trade Indicators

Trade IntensityHigh
Export DiversificationConcentrated
Trade Balance HealthImbalanced

📈 Market Position: This bilateral trade relationship represents an important regional trade partnerships, with complementary economic strengths driving sustained commercial exchange.

Historical Trade Analysis & Economic Context

Trade Evolution Timeline

2019-2023: Recent Trends

Current trade volume of $1.76B represents the culmination of evolving bilateral commercial relationships, influenced by global supply chain shifts and changing economic priorities.

2015-2019: Growth Period

Sustained expansion in bilateral trade driven by complementary economic structures, with Mexico leveraging its comparative advantages in vehicles: compression-ignition internal combustion piston engine (diesel or semi-diesel), for transport of goods, (of a gvw not exceeding 5 tonnes), n.e.c. in item no 8704.1.

2010-2015: Foundation Building

Establishment of modern trade frameworks and reduction of barriers, facilitating increased commercial exchange and investment flows between the two economies.

Pre-2010: Early Development

Initial stages of bilateral trade relationship development, with focus on traditional export-import patterns and gradual market integration.

Key Economic Drivers

1

Comparative Advantage

Mexico's specialization in vehicles: compression-ignition internal combustion piston engine (diesel or semi-diesel), for transport of goods, (of a gvw not exceeding 5 tonnes), n.e.c. in item no 8704.1complements Costa Rica's demand patterns, creating natural trade synergies.

2

Supply Chain Integration

Deep integration in global value chains has strengthened bilateral linkages, particularly in vegetable oils: palm oil and its fractions, crude, not chemically modified.

3

Market Access & Trade Policy

Favorable trade agreements and market access conditions have facilitated the growth of this $1.76B bilateral relationship.

Trade Pattern Insights

Trade ComplementarityAsymmetric
Seasonal VariationsModerate
Product ConcentrationMedium
Market DependencyHigh
🔮

Trade Relationship Outlook

The $1.76B bilateral trade volume positions this relationship for continued growth, supported by technological advancement, evolving consumer preferences, and strengthening economic ties. Key opportunities lie in expanding cooperation in emerging sectors while managing potential supply chain vulnerabilities.

Economic Impact & Strategic Outlook

Economic Impact Assessment

💰

Trade Volume Impact

The $1.76 billion bilateral trade volume represents a important trade relationshipfor both economies.

Economic Significance: Moderate
🏭

Industrial Integration

Trade flows in vehicles: compression-ignition internal combustion piston engine (diesel or semi-diesel), for transport of goods, (of a gvw not exceeding 5 tonnes), n.e.c. in item no 8704.1 and vegetable oils: palm oil and its fractions, crude, not chemically modified demonstrate deep industrial linkages and supply chain integration.

Supply Chain Integration: Specialized
⚖️

Trade Balance Effects

Mexico's trade surplus of $1.09 billion strengthens its overall economic position in this bilateral relationship.

Balance Impact: Export Advantage

Strategic Future Outlook

🚀Growth Opportunities

Emerging Sectors
Technology transfer and innovation cooperation in reception apparatus for television, whether or not incorporating radio-broadcast receivers or sound or video recording or reproducing apparatus: incorporating a colour video display or screen present expansion opportunities.
Market Diversification
Beyond current focus on vegetable oils: palm oil and its fractions, crude, not chemically modified, new product categories offer potential for trade expansion.

⚠️Risk Factors

Supply Chain Vulnerabilities
High trade imbalance may create supply chain risks
Market Competition
Global competition in vehicles: compression-ignition internal combustion piston engine (diesel or semi-diesel), for transport of goods, (of a gvw not exceeding 5 tonnes), n.e.c. in item no 8704.1 may affect future market positioning.

🎯Strategic Recommendations

  • Strengthen cooperation in high-value sectors beyond current trade patterns
  • Develop alternative supply chains to reduce dependency risks
  • Explore joint ventures in emerging technology sectors
  • Enhance trade facilitation and reduce transaction costs

Market Position & Competitive Summary

The bilateral trade relationship between Mexico and Costa Rica represents a total trade volume of $1.76 billion in 2023. This partnership demonstrates a favorable trade balance for Mexico, with exports exceeding importsby $1.09 billion.

Export Strengths

Mexico's exports to Costa Rica total $1.42 billion, with competitive advantages in vehicles: compression-ignition internal combustion piston engine (diesel or semi-diesel), for transport of goods, (of a gvw not exceeding 5 tonnes), n.e.c. in item no 8704.1, representing $50.20M or3.5% of bilateral exports.

Import Dependencies

Imports from Costa Rica amount to $334.34 million, highlighting economic interdependence in vegetable oils: palm oil and its fractions, crude, not chemically modified, with Vegetable oils: palm oil and its fractions, crude, not chemically modified comprising22.7% of total imports.

The trade relationship reflects broader economic patterns and comparative advantages. The trade surplus indicates Mexico's competitive position in this bilateral relationship. This partnership is characterized by complementary trade flows, with each country specializing in different product categories based on their respective economic strengths, industrial capabilities, and position in global value chains.

Download Bilateral Trade Data

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Data Source: CEPII BACI (Base pour l'Analyse du Commerce International) • Last Updated: January 2025 • Coverage: 1995-2023