Cocoa powder and cake market in Costa Rica

Earlier Report Observations

The cocoa powder and cake market in Costa Rica expanded from 1 242 t to 1 338 t between 2018 and 2019. This growth period coincided with the country's active export of cocoa ingredients, primarily to the Netherlands and Panama, supported by its designation as a producer of 100% fine and aroma cocoa. The increasing use of cocoa in the cosmetics and personal care industries also added to demand, while the value chain achieved significant added value through industrial processing and exports of intermediate products like liquor, cake, and powder.

Market volume dipped to 1 220 t in 2020 before recovering to 1 364 t in 2021 and climbing further to a peak of 1 642 t in 2022. These shifts reflected changes in domestic consumption and trade flows over the period.

In 2023, the market volume declined to 1 378 t. By 2024, the Talamanca Small Producers Association was promoting the production of grafted cocoa seedlings of tolerant varieties, an initiative aimed at renewing and genetically improving Costa Rica's cocoa plantations.

Production cocoa powder and cake in Costa Rica

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of cocoa powder and cake, 2017-2020

World map of production of cocoa powder and cake, 2017-2020

Costa Rica's production of cocoa powder and cake declined after two years of growth. In 2020, the country produced 272.3 tonnes, representing a 16.2% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 79.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 21.5%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 324.9 tonnes, which also saw the largest annual increase of 51.4%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Cocoa powder and cake production in Costa Rica declined following two years of expansion. In 2020, output was valued at 920 thousand US dollars, down 30.5% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production value increased by 22.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 7.1%. The peak value occurred in 2019 at 1 325 thousand US dollars, while the largest annual increase of 41.3% was recorded in 2018.

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

Exports cocoa powder and cake from Costa Rica

Exports in kind, t

The market showed considerable volatility throughout the period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 7 tonnes and peaked in 2020 at 138 tonnes, representing a 19-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Costa Rica's cocoa powder and cake exports surged by 386.3% compared to the previous year. The largest decline of 27.5% was recorded in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Nicaragua (62.8% of exports by volume), the Dominican Republic (13.5%), and Panama (11.0%) formed the core export markets for Costa Rica's cocoa powder and cake, together accounting for 87.2% of total export volumes.

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 behavior was characterized by significant volatility during these years. Export values reached their lowest level in 2018 at 35 thousand US dollars and peaked in 2020 at 466 thousand US dollars, representing a 13.2-fold difference. In 2020, Costa Rica's cocoa powder and cake exports showed a sharp increase of 303.1% compared to 2019. The largest decline of 27.5% was recorded in 2018.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Nicaragua (55.3% of export value), Panama (15.3%), and the Dominican Republic (14.4%) were the main markets for Costa Rica's cocoa powder and cake exports by value, together representing 85.0% of total export value.

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 cocoa powder and cake to Costa Rica

Imports in kind, t

Costa Rica's imports of cocoa powder and cake increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country imported 1 085 tonnes, reflecting a modest 4.2% increase compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 17.7%, equivalent to an average annual growth rate of 5.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Spain (43.0% of import volume), Colombia (27.2%), and the United States (12.2%) were the main sources of cocoa powder and cake imports to Costa Rica by volume, together accounting for 82.4% of total import volumes.

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 imports of cocoa powder and cake were valued at 3 683 thousand US dollars, showing a moderate increase of 3.9% compared to 2019. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 3 545 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 3.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Spain (27.5% of import value), the United States (14.9%), and Colombia (11.9%) together accounted for 54.3% of Costa Rica's cocoa powder and cake imports by value, remaining the primary sources for these products.

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

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