Costa Rica's agricultural export values rose 10.4% year-on-year during the first half of 2011, with growth recorded for pineapple, banana, mango and coffee shipments, website Nacion.com reported.

The country's national trade promoter (Procomer) announced exports of US$1.342 billion for the period, with staple products pineapples and bananas growing at more than 4% to US$387 million and US$385 million respectively.

National Chamber of Pineapple Growers and Exporters president Abel Chaves, attributed the growth to early flowering and cold temperatures during cultivation and harvest late last year, the story reported.

For crops, the highest growth was registered for mangoes with shipments rising 88.88% to US$8.5 million, followed by coffee which rose 42.5% to US$268 million.

But the period was not as positive for melon growers, whose export values fell 8.2% to US$63 million, the story reported.

Nicoya melon grower Eliécer Araya told the website the sector had suffered with lower international prices and an increase in input costs.

Photo: Solo Stocks

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