Cheese and curd market in Costa Rica

Earlier Report Observations

The Costa Rican cheese and curd market volume increased from 52 380 t in 2018 to 55 041 t in 2023, driven by sustained domestic demand for fresh, local white cheese, which constitutes about 70% of consumption. This trend was reinforced in 2019 when cheese was added to the Tax Basic Basket, lowering its tax burden and improving accessibility for lower-income households. Concurrently, higher preferential tariffs on dairy imports, particularly for cheeses, reduced the competitiveness of foreign products, supporting domestic market share. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 caused supply chain disruptions and elevated transportation costs, leading to higher raw material prices and a temporary stabilization in market growth.

Despite inflationary pressures and rising costs for agricultural inputs like corn and soy in 2021, market volume continued to expand. Regulatory developments introduced stricter sanitary permit requirements for cheese plants from July 2022 and updated mandatory labeling rules under the Central American Technical Regulation, increasing compliance costs for producers. Consumer preferences gradually shifted toward mozzarella and other Italian-style cheeses, perceived as lower in fat, a trend supported by the growing number of Italian restaurants. In 2023, health ministry recommendations on the safe selection and consumption of fresh cheeses encouraged producers to enhance safety controls, further supporting market confidence and volume growth.

The market continued to evolve with the entry of new products such as goat and buffalo cheese in 2024, as artisanal cheesemakers diversified offerings to target niche consumers. Regulatory focus intensified on traceability and origin certification, affecting both local producers and importers, aligning with broader regional standards for food safety and quality.

Production cheese and curd in Costa Rica

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of cheese and curd, 2017-2020

World map of production of cheese and curd, 2017-2020

Costa Rica's cheese and curd production declined after two years of growth. In 2020, the country produced 51 835 tons, marking a 1.3% decrease from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 2.6%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 0.8%. The peak was reached in 2019 with 52 523 tons, and that year also saw the largest annual increase at 2.0%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Costa Rica's cheese and curd production value declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, the output was valued at 201.3 million US dollars, showing a slight drop of 1.1% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production value decreased by 16%, with a compound annual growth rate of -5.6%.

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

Exports cheese and curd from Costa Rica

Exports in kind, t

Costa Rica's cheese and curd export volume declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 2 969 tons, indicating a notable loss of 17.4% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 23.4%, equating to an annualized decline of 8.5%. The highest volume was recorded in 2018 at 4 010 tons, and that year also saw the largest increase at 3.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Guatemala, Panama, and Nicaragua were the main destinations for Costa Rica's cheese and curd exports in volume terms. Guatemala accounted for 52.3% of exports, Panama for 22.0%, and Nicaragua for 10.2%. Together, these three countries represented 84.5% of total export 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

Costa Rica's cheese and curd exports declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country exported 11 533 thousand US dollars worth of cheese and curd, corresponding to a significant loss of 17.2% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 37.2%, with an annualized decline of 14.4%.

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

Over the period 2017–2020, Guatemala, Panama, and El Salvador made the biggest contribution to Costa Rica's cheese and curd exports in value terms. Guatemala accounted for 42.8% of exports, Panama for 30.8%, and El Salvador for 11.0%. Collectively, these three countries represented 84.7% 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 cheese and curd to Costa Rica

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Costa Rica's cheese and curd import volume amounted to 4 584 tons, showing little change from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 6.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.1%. The highest volume was recorded in 2018 at 4 885 tons. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 6.3%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 13.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, Panama, and El Salvador stood out as the main sources for Costa Rica's cheese and curd imports in volume terms. The United States accounted for 60.4% of imports, Panama for 17.1%, and El Salvador for 9.5%. Together, these three countries represented 87.0% 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

In 2020, Costa Rica's cheese and curd import value totaled 27 043 thousand US dollars, amounting to a modest gain of 7.5% compared to the previous year. Over the period 2017-2020, imports increased by 14.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.7%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 2.1%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 9.1%.

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

In 2017–2020, the United States, Panama, and El Salvador were the principal sources for Costa Rica's cheese and curd imports in value terms. The United States accounted for 61.1% of imports, Panama for 14.0%, and El Salvador for 8.4%. Jointly, these three countries accounted for 83.4% of total import 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