Market research

Beans market in Costa Rica

Release date: Mar 27, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

Report language:

Report language:

Submission method: to your account

File format: docx, xlsx

Single Report

$500

Instant access to detailed data on one specific market
Ideal for one-off tasks: niche assessments, presentations, investment decisions
Available in Excel and Word in 15 minutes after purchase
Cheaper than subscription, but each market requires a separate purchase

Best if you know exactly what you need

Buy a single report

Platform Subscription

from$600

Complete and unlimited data access across products and regions
Includes continuous data updates during subscription period
Download reports instantly in Word, and Excel formats
More cost-effective for multiple markets or regular analysis

Ideal for regular data users

View pricing plans

Earlier Report Observations

The Costa Rican bean market's volume fluctuated significantly between 2018 and 2023, initially constrained by declining domestic production following trade policies that removed guaranteed state purchases and by a sustained reduction in consumer consumption due to negative health perceptions and substitution with fast food. A sharp rise in market volume to 453.0 t in 2019 was primarily driven by a halt in exports, directing all domestic output to the local market, amid ongoing producer and government initiatives to promote the nutritional benefits of beans. The market stabilized at 452.0 t in 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic induced a temporary monthly consumption increase of 25 t, offsetting the broader downward trend.

Market volume contracted to 383.9 t in 2021, largely due to a surge in exports reaching 81.0 t, which reduced domestic availability. This period was also marked by rising prices for red and black beans driven by increased costs for agricultural inputs, fuel, and labor. Recovery followed in 2022, with the market expanding to 458.3 t as exports normalized and cultural preferences shifted consumption toward black beans. By 2023, the market reached 465.2 t, supported by stable production and lower exports, even as consumer purchasing power was affected by currency depreciation and retail prices remained elevated following the end of a temporary tariff suspension on imports.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in Costa Rica
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Costa Rica in kind, 2018-2023, t
  2. 5.1.2. Annual dynamics of production in Costa Rica in value, 2018-2023, $ US
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, t
  2. 5.2.2. Dynamics of production structure by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023
  3. 5.2.3. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2023, t
  4. 5.2.4. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2023
  5. 5.2.5. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2023
6. Imports
1. 6.1. Imports (Direct Data)
  1. 6.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Costa Rica in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Costa Rica by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Costa Rica in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Costa Rica by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/kg
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Costa Rica, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Costa Rica by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
2. 6.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Costa Rica in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Costa Rica by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Costa Rica in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Costa Rica by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/kg
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Costa Rica, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Costa Rica by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
7. Exports
1. 7.1. Exports (Direct Data)
  1. 7.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Costa Rica in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Costa Rica by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Costa Rica in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Costa Rica by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/kg
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Costa Rica, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Costa Rica by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
2. 7.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Costa Rica in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Costa Rica by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Costa Rica in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Costa Rica by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/kg
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Costa Rica, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Costa Rica by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, K $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, K $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2024
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production beans in Costa Rica

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of beans, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of beans, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Costa Rica produced 472.0 t of beans in 2020, representing a 4.2% increase compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production grew by 5.3%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 1.7%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, when production fell by 3.5%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018, with a 4.7% rise.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	4.7%	(3.5%)	4.2%	1.7%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports beans from Costa Rica

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Costa Rica exported 20.3 t of beans, marking a significant year-over-year decrease of 70.3%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports declined by 94.3%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -61.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Costa Rica in kind, 2017-2020, t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(70.3%)	n/a	n/a	(61.5%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Guatemala was the dominant export destination for beans in volume terms, accounting for 73.9% of total flows. The remaining share was distributed across various other markets.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, the value of beans exported from Costa Rica totaled 12.3 K $ US, reflecting a dramatic 37.2% drop compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, export values decreased by 95.6%, equating to an annualized decline of 64.7%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(37.2%)	n/a	n/a	(64.7%)

Source: SHEV.io

During 2017–2020, Guatemala and the United States were the primary markets for Costa Rica's bean exports in value terms, together making up 97.4% of total flows. Other partners accounted for the remaining share.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports beans to Costa Rica

Imports in kind, t

Costa Rica imported 0.3 t of beans in 2020, down by 71.9% year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, imports fell by 98%, with an annualized decrease of 72.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Costa Rica in kind, 2017-2020, t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(71.9%)	n/a	n/a	(72.7%)

Source: SHEV.io

Between 2017 and 2020, Mexico and the United States were the main sources for Costa Rica's bean imports in volume terms, jointly representing 85.0% of total flows. The rest was spread among other markets.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Costa Rica imported beans worth 0.7 K $ US, a 75.4% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017–2020 period, import values declined by 97.4%, corresponding to an annualized rate of -70.4%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(75.4%)	n/a	n/a	(70.4%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Costa Rica's bean imports in value terms were heavily concentrated on Mexico and Guatemala, which together accounted for 86.1% of total flows. Other partners made up the residual portion.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io