Capsicum and pimenta fruits market in Costa Rica

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2021, the market volume for fresh capsicum and pimenta fruits in Costa Rica declined from 671 tons to 598 tons, while domestic production remained stable at around 605 tons per year. This contraction was primarily due to a sharp drop in imports, which fell to just 0.5 tons in 2021 from over 70 tons in 2018.

In 2022, the market stabilized near 602 tons as Central American labeling regulations for prepackaged fresh produce came into effect, standardizing quality and commercialization requirements. The following year, market volume rebounded to 671 tons, supported by mandatory laboratory testing for pesticide residues that enhanced food safety and consumer confidence in locally sold peppers.

Recent years have seen a shift in Costa Rican consumption patterns toward fresh and healthy foods, increasing retail demand for capsicum and pimenta fruits. At the same time, updated traceability rules for exports to the United States and active participation of Costa Rican companies in international trade fairs have strengthened the sector's global competitiveness.

Production capsicum and pimenta fruits in Costa Rica

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of capsicum and pimenta fruits, 2017-2020

World map of production of capsicum and pimenta fruits, 2017-2020

Costa Rica's production of capsicum and pimenta fruits declined after two consecutive years of growth. In 2019, production reached its peak at 609 tonnes, but then fell by 1.0% to 602 tonnes in 2020. The most significant increase occurred in 2018, when production rose by 1.8%.

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

Exports capsicum and pimenta fruits from Costa Rica

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited considerable volatility during the observed period. Exports hit their lowest point in 2019 at 2.0 tonnes, but then surged dramatically by 570.6% to 13.2 tonnes in 2020. The most substantial decline was recorded in 2018, when exports dropped by 99.5%. Over the entire period, export volumes fluctuated by a factor of 447 between the high in 2017 and the low in 2019.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States was the nearly exclusive buyer of capsicum and pimenta fruits from Costa Rica, accounting for 97.7% of total exports in volume.

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

Market performance showed significant volatility over this period. Exports reached their lowest value in 2019 at 5 000 US dollars, but then rebounded sharply by 458.4% to 27 000 US dollars in 2020. The most pronounced decline occurred in 2018, with a drop of 99.7%. Overall, export values varied by a factor of 440 between the peak in 2017 and the trough in 2019.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United States served as the primary and almost sole market for Costa Rica's capsicum and pimenta fruit exports in value terms, representing 98.1% of total export 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 capsicum and pimenta fruits to Costa Rica

Imports in kind, t

The data indicates irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. Imports reached their lowest level in 2017, then peaked in 2018 at 70.5 tonnes, before declining by 17.0% to 61.1 tonnes in 2020, which still represented a 4.4% increase from 2019. The most significant increase was recorded in 2018 at 106.3%, while import volumes fluctuated by a factor of 2.1 between the high in 2018 and the low in 2017.

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

During the 2017–2020 period, Mexico (16.3% of import volume), Guatemala (7.6%), and Colombia (2.0%) were the main sources for capsicum and pimenta fruit imports to Costa Rica, together accounting for 26.0% of total import flows.

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

Noticeable fluctuations characterized market performance during this period. Import values bottomed out in 2019 at 33 000 US dollars, after peaking in 2018 at 75 000 US dollars. In 2020, imports rose sharply by 70.6% to 56 000 US dollars. The most substantial decline occurred in 2019, falling by 55.6%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 116.6%. Overall, import values varied by a factor of 2.3 between the 2018 peak and the 2019 trough.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Guatemala (26.6% of import value), Mexico (18.8%), and Honduras (2.7%) were the largest suppliers of capsicum and pimenta fruits to Costa Rica, though they did not dominate the market. Together, these three countries accounted for 48.2% of total import value, with numerous smaller partners making up the remainder.

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

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