Chocolate and cocoa products market in Costa Rica

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for chocolate and cocoa products in Costa Rica fluctuated between 4 509 and 5 051 tons from 2018 to 2023. The period opened with the launch of the National Cocoa Plan 2018‑2028, which aimed to consolidate the agro‑chain and support small producers. In 2019, the EU’s cadmium limits regulation came into force, requiring Costa Rican exporters to adapt their processes to maintain European market access.

After a contraction to 4 509 tons in 2020, likely influenced by the COVID‑19 pandemic, the market rebounded to 4 985 tons in 2021 as consumer preferences shifted toward dark and premium chocolate with health benefits. A surge in export promotion through international fairs contributed to a drop in domestic market volume to 4 263 tons in 2022. By 2023, the market recovered to 5 042 tons, supported by ongoing trends toward premium, healthy, and sustainable chocolate products.

Production chocolate and cocoa products in Costa Rica

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of chocolate and cocoa products, 2017-2020

World map of production of chocolate and cocoa products, 2017-2020

Chocolate and cocoa products production in Costa Rica declined after two years of growth. In 2019, production reached its peak at 621.2 t, but then fell to 563.2 t in 2020, representing a decrease of 9.3% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production increased by 15.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.9%. The largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2018, when production rose by 17.8%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

After two years of increase, chocolate and cocoa products production in Costa Rica declined in value terms. In 2019, output reached its highest value at 1 990 K $ US, but dropped to 1 726 K $ US in 2020, which is 13.3% lower than the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production value increased by 16.3%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 5.2%. The most significant increase was recorded in 2018, with a rise of 27.3%.

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

Exports chocolate and cocoa products from Costa Rica

Exports in kind, t

Costa Rica's chocolate and cocoa products exports declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 2 651 t, down by 6.4% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 16.9%, with an annualized decline rate of 6.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Mexico, Nicaragua, and the United States were the top destinations for Costa Rica's chocolate and cocoa products exports in volume terms. Mexico accounted for 22.1% of exports, Nicaragua for 18.0%, and the United States for 16.0%. Together, these three countries represented 56.2% 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

Foreign supplies of chocolate and cocoa products from Costa Rica declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports were valued at 8 125 K $ US, marking a 10.5% decrease compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, export value fell by 16.4%, with an annualized decline rate of 5.8%. The highest export value was recorded in 2018 at 9 719 K $ US, while the largest increase occurred in the same year.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, Costa Rica's chocolate and cocoa products exports in value terms were distributed across numerous markets. Nicaragua accounted for 16.2% of export value, Mexico for 15.6%, and Guatemala for 15.6%. Collectively, these three countries represented 47.3% 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 chocolate and cocoa products to Costa Rica

Imports in kind, t

Foreign supplies of chocolate and cocoa products to Costa Rica declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 6 597 t, down by 8.4% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 11.6%, with an average annual decline rate of 4.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, Mexico, and Guatemala were the leading suppliers of chocolate and cocoa products to Costa Rica in volume terms. The United States accounted for 38.5% of imports, Mexico for 19.7%, and Guatemala for 7.6%. Together, these three countries made up 65.7% of total import volume.

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 volume of chocolate and cocoa products imports to Costa Rica declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports were valued at 33 653 K $ US, down by 1.3% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, import value decreased by 10%, with an annualized decline rate of 3.5%.

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

In the 2017-2020 period, the United States, Mexico, and Colombia were the top sources for Costa Rica's chocolate and cocoa products imports in value terms. The United States accounted for 41.3% of import value, Mexico for 19.4%, and Colombia for 6.7%. Collectively, these three countries represented 67.3% 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