Brown rice market in Costa Rica

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2021, the brown rice market volume in Costa Rica contracted sharply from 12 441 t to 2 342 t. This decline was primarily driven by a collapse in imports, which fell from 10 425 t in 2018 to nearly zero by 2020. Throughout this period, the market remained highly concentrated, with a few large producers and processors dominating the sector. Regulated prices and tariffs, overseen by the state-owned Corporación Arrocera Nacional (CONARROZ), limited competition and likely influenced import flows.

From 2022 onward, the government's 'Ruta del Arroz' policy reduced import tariffs on rice from 35% to about 4-5% to stimulate competition. Although brown rice imports stayed low, overall rice consumption reached a 15-year high in 2023 as consumers returned to traditional staple foods, showing a preference for white rice. Brown rice production dipped in 2022 due to reduced planted area caused by high production costs and import competition, but rebounded in 2023. In 2024, court rulings first suspended and then reinstated tariffs, adding uncertainty, while the MEIC proposed eliminating minimum prices to further liberalize the market.

Production brown rice in Costa Rica

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of brown rice, 2017-2020

World map of production of brown rice, 2017-2020

Brown rice production in Costa Rica has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 2 561 tons of brown rice, marking a 10.4% increase compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production grew by 18.2%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 5.7%.

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

Exports brown rice from Costa Rica

Exports in kind, t

The market showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a sevenfold difference between these years. In 2019, Costa Rica's brown rice export volume was 46 tons, down 71.4% from the previous year. The maximum volume was recorded in 2018 at 161 tons, with the largest increase also occurring in 2018 at 600.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Nicaragua was the almost exclusive buyer of brown rice from Costa Rica, accounting for 100.0% of total exports in kind.

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

The market exhibited volatility during these years. Export values dropped to their minimum in 2017 and climbed to their maximum in 2018, representing a 6.7-fold shift. In 2019, brown rice exports from Costa Rica reached 2 thousand US dollars, showing a decline of 72.1% from 2018. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 7 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase also in 2018 at 572.1%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, Nicaragua almost fully determined the geographical structure of Costa Rica's brown rice exports in value terms, with a share of 98.4% 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 brown rice to Costa Rica

Imports in kind, t

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Imports fell to their lowest point in 2020 and hit their maximum in 2018, with a difference of 27 580 times. In 2020, Costa Rica imported 0.4 tons of brown rice, reflecting a drop of 100.0% compared to the previous year. The maximum volume was recorded in 2018 at 10 425 tons, with the largest increase also in 2018 at 31.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Uruguay acted as the main source for brown rice imports to Costa Rica, consistently absorbing 93.1% of total imports in kind.

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

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Import values declined to their lowest level in 2020 and peaked in 2018, with a top-to-bottom ratio of 6 861 times. In 2020, brown rice shipments to Costa Rica from abroad totaled 1 thousand US dollars, down 99.9% compared to 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 5 174 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase also in 2018 at 23.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, imports in value terms of brown rice to Costa Rica were almost entirely concentrated in Uruguay, whose share reached 92.2%.

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

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