WASHINGTON: Costa Rica’s industrial metals exports declined in December, with steel and aluminum leading the drop. Industrial metals exports were worth US$19.2mn, down from US$24.0mn in the same month of 2014, according to figures from export promotion agency Procomer.
Iron and steel exports were US$5.22mn, down from US$7.32mn, with those of iron and steel products up to US$4.39mn from US$3.87mn.
Aluminum exports dropped to US$4.63mn from US$6.85mn, with copper at US$1.17mn, down from US$1.88mn. Costa Rica also exported US$1.07mn of gold, down from US$1.27mn. Metals exports were impacted by falling prices. Industrial metals exports were down from US$22.6mn in November, with gold down from US$1.39mn.
In full-year 2015 Costa Rica’s industrial metals exports totaled US$335mn, down from US$409mn in the prior year, impacted by lower prices. Iron and steel sales abroad fell to US$102mn from US$142mn, with iron and steel products up at US$84.4mn from US$77.8mn. Aluminum exports fell to US$73.7mn from US$103mn, with copper at US$20.1mn, down from US$32.1mn. Gold exports declined to US$18.6mn from US$20.7mn.
Industrial metals producers with a presence in Costa Rica include ArcelorMittal, while gold producers include London-based Ascot Mining. About 250 artisanal miners also extract gold in the Corcovado national park.
