Citrus fruit market in Costa Rica

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume of citrus fruit in Costa Rica declined from 699.6 thousand tons in 2018 to 507.1 thousand tons in 2019, primarily because Huanglongbing (HLB) disease continued to affect orchard yields, leading producers to organize collective action against it.

A sharp rebound to 706.5 thousand tons occurred in 2020, supported by growing consumer emphasis on healthy diets, which raised demand for citrus. The market then shrank to 536.0 thousand tons in 2021. In 2022, volume increased to 608.9 thousand tons as the sector responded to stricter fruit-quality parameters for export markets and maintained phytosanitary controls. By 2023, a moderate contraction to 573.9 thousand tons took place while industry initiatives, such as the 'Planta sana' project, sought to improve technical skills and market management for future stability.

Production citrus fruit in Costa Rica

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of citrus fruit, 2017-2020

World map of production of citrus fruit, 2017-2020

In 2019, Costa Rica's citrus fruit production reached its lowest point at 446.9 thousand tons, marking a significant decline of 28.5%. However, production rebounded sharply in 2020, reaching 632.7 thousand tons—a substantial 41.6% increase compared to the previous year. Over the entire 2017-2020 period, production grew by 8.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.8%.

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

Exports citrus fruit from Costa Rica

Exports in kind, t

Costa Rica's citrus fruit exports in kind showed notable fluctuations from 2018 to 2020. The highest volume was recorded in 2018 at 1 239 tons, representing a 3.5% increase. By 2020, exports dropped to 132 tons, a 73.3% decline from 2019. The difference between the peak in 2018 and the trough in 2020 was 9.4 times.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Nicaragua dominated Costa Rica's citrus fruit exports in kind, accounting for 97.6% of total shipments.

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 citrus fruit exports in value terms experienced significant volatility between 2017 and 2020. The lowest value was recorded in 2017, while the peak occurred in 2018 at 233 thousand US dollars, reflecting a dramatic 365.1% increase. By 2020, exports fell to 142 thousand US dollars, a 23.7% decrease from 2019. The difference between the 2018 maximum and 2017 minimum was 4.7 times.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, Nicaragua remained the primary destination for Costa Rica's citrus fruit exports in value terms, representing 87.1% of total exports, while other markets played much smaller roles.

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 citrus fruit to Costa Rica

Imports in kind, t

Costa Rica's citrus fruit imports in kind reached their lowest point in 2019 at 60 659 tons, a 20.0% decline. The highest volume was recorded in 2018 at 75 818 tons. In 2020, imports rose to {value_last_year} tons, showing a 21.9% year-over-year increase. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 5.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Nicaragua effectively monopolized Costa Rica's citrus fruit imports in kind, capturing 94.3% of total imports.

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

Costa Rica's citrus fruit imports in value terms reached their lowest point in 2019 at 13 671 thousand US dollars, a 29.9% decline. The peak was in 2018 at 19 507 thousand US dollars. In 2020, imports increased to 18 014 thousand US dollars, up 31.8% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 4%, with an average annual decline of 1.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Nicaragua was the leading source for Costa Rica's citrus fruit imports in value terms, accounting for 73.1% of total imports, while other markets contributed smaller shares.

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

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