Pineapple exports from Costa Rica have risen sharply as banana shipments have fallen, new figures show.

According to statistics from promotional agency Procomer, agricultural exports from Costa Rica increased by 1.7 per cent in the first eight months of 2012, Eurofruit reports.

Shipments of pineapples increased sharply as a result of a heavy drop in banana exports.

Pineapple exports were reportedly up by 8.4 per cent to $528.1 million, while banana exports decreased by 11 per cent to $453m.

Other items, including melons, also registered decreases, according to the agency.

The country's main market remains North America, which accounts for 42.3 per cent of exports, followed by the EU with 18.1 per cent.

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