Alcoholic beer market in Costa Rica

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the Costa Rican alcoholic beer market volume grew from 185.4 million liters to 191.0 million liters. This increase coincided with reports highlighting significant alcohol consumption across all population segments, which sustained market demand. During this period, the market was heavily concentrated, with Cervecería de Costa Rica (FIFCO) holding approximately 90% share, ensuring stable supply.

After peaking in 2020, market volume gradually declined to 177.1 million liters by 2023. The industry simultaneously saw diversification through the craft beer segment, which maintained 73 registered brands and pushed producers to explore new ways to reach target markets. In 2023, a 45% surge in advertising investment, particularly by national brands like Imperial and Heineken, aimed to bolster consumer engagement amid the overall volume contraction.

Market dynamics continued to evolve with the 2024 entry of global brand Michelob (AB InBev), which adapted its product and labeling for Costa Rica, and the expansion of craft leader Papagayo Brewing, which announced five new locations. Aggressive promotional campaigns and innovation, such as FIFCO's launch of low-alcohol beers and responsible consumption programs, targeted shifting consumer behaviors.

Production alcoholic beer in Costa Rica

In kind, 2017-2020, M l

Top producers of alcoholic beer, 2017-2020

World map of production of alcoholic beer, 2017-2020

In 2020, Costa Rica produced 172.0 million liters of alcoholic beer, showing minimal change compared to 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 0.0%, while the largest increase also occurred in 2018 at 0.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Costa Rica in kind, 2017-2020, M l

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Costa Rica's alcoholic beer production value declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 103.6 million US dollars, representing a significant decline of 23.5% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production decreased by 31.6%, equating to an annualized rate of 11.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in Costa Rica in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports alcoholic beer from Costa Rica

Exports in kind, K l

The market showed volatility during these years. Exports reached their lowest point in 2019 at 5 088 thousand liters, then peaked in 2020 at 9 013 thousand liters, reflecting a 1.8-fold gap between these years. The 2020 volume represented a 77.1% increase from the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 18.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Costa Rica in kind, 2017-2020, K l

Throughout 2017–2020, Panama (28.6% of exports in kind), El Salvador (22.1% of exports in kind), and the United States (17.9% of exports in kind) formed the core of Costa Rica's exports, together accounting for 68.5% of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Costa Rica in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

After two years of decline, Costa Rica's alcoholic beer export value increased in 2020. Exports reached 5 429 thousand US dollars, representing a 35.6% advance compared to 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 4 005 thousand US dollars. Over the period 2017-2020, exports decreased by 6.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.4%. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 21.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Costa Rica in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2017–2020, El Salvador (23.6% of exports in value terms), Panama (23.2% of exports in value terms), and Guatemala (19.3% of exports in value terms) were the main markets for Costa Rica's exports, together accounting for 66.1% of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Costa Rica in value, 2017-2020

Imports alcoholic beer to Costa Rica

Imports in kind, K l

Foreign alcoholic beer supplies to Costa Rica increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 27 965 thousand liters, representing a steep gain of 42.2% from the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 18 764 thousand liters. Over the period 2017-2020, imports increased by 36.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 10.8%. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 8.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Costa Rica in kind, 2017-2020, K l

In 2017–2020, the United States (30.4% of imports in kind), Mexico (29.0% of imports in kind), and Spain (9.1% of imports in kind) were the largest suppliers of alcoholic beer to Costa Rica, together forming 68.5% of total imports.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Costa Rica in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

Alcoholic beer imports to Costa Rica increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 24 196 thousand US dollars, reflecting a 53.4% advance from 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 14 379 thousand US dollars. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 52.1%, equating to an annualized rate of 15.0%. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 9.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Costa Rica in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2017–2020, the United States (34.0% of imports in value terms), Mexico (29.8% of imports in value terms), and Belgium (7.1% of imports in value terms) led the structure of Costa Rica's imports, together representing 70.8% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Costa Rica in value, 2017-2020