Coconuts, Brazil nuts and cashews market in Costa Rica

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2023, Costa Rica's production of coconuts, Brazil nuts and cashews held steady at 18 000 t until 2021, then expanded to 20 408 t in the following two years. However, the domestic market volume experienced a sharp contraction in 2021, dropping to 9 894 t, primarily due to a surge in exports that more than doubled to 9 081 t. Exports continued to grow, reaching 8 723 t in 2023, while imports gradually declined from 922 t to 654 t over the same period. Consequently, the market volume partially recovered to 12 339 t by 2023.

In monetary terms, the production value rose consistently from $8.3 million in 2018 to $13.6 million in 2023, indicating higher prices or a shift toward more valuable products. Export value followed a similar upward trend, jumping to $5.2 million in 2021 and reaching $5.8 million in 2023. Despite these increases, the total market value fluctuated between $8.9 million and $10.4 million, ending at $9.9 million in 2023. The coconut sector remains a key component of Costa Rica's economy, with diverse derivative products and raw materials highly valued in food and beverage industries.

For 2024, export volume climbed further to 11 267 t and import volume was 866 t. Global trade patterns, including import flows from Vietnam, the United States, and the Philippines, continue to influence the Costa Rican market. Prices for Brazil nuts were updated in 2024, reflecting the ongoing integration of Costa Rica into international nut trade networks.

Production coconuts, Brazil nuts and cashews in Costa Rica

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of coconuts, Brazil nuts and cashews, 2017-2020

World map of production of coconuts, Brazil nuts and cashews, 2017-2020

In 2020, Costa Rica produced 18 000 tonnes of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews, showing broad stability compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 7.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.3%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 18 000 tonnes, which also marked the largest increase of 7.1% during this period. In contrast, 2019 saw no significant change in production.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Coconut, Brazil nut, and cashew production in Costa Rica increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 9 641 thousand US dollars, representing a 12.4% rise from the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 8 333 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 12.7%.

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

Exports coconuts, Brazil nuts and cashews from Costa Rica

Exports in kind, t

After two years of decline, the volume of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews exported from Costa Rica increased in 2020. Exports totaled 4 047 tonnes, marking a 7.5% increase compared to 2019. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 3 766 tonnes, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 with a 6.1% drop.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the three main markets for Costa Rica's coconut, Brazil nut, and cashew exports in kind were the United States, Canada, and the Netherlands. Together, these countries accounted for 68.7% of total exports.

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

The value of coconut, Brazil nut, and cashew exports from Costa Rica rose for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 2 168 thousand US dollars, a 20.8% increase year-over-year. However, between 2017 and 2020, overall exports decreased by 7.1%, equating to an annualized decline of 2.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 1 786 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 23.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, Canada, and the Netherlands remained the primary destinations for Costa Rica's coconut, Brazil nut, and cashew exports in value terms. The United States accounted for 26.9% of exports, Canada for 25.2%, and the Netherlands for 16.5%, together making up 68.7% 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 coconuts, Brazil nuts and cashews to Costa Rica

Imports in kind, t

Foreign supplies of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews to Costa Rica declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, import volume amounted to 721 tonnes, showing no significant change compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 4.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.6%. The highest volume was recorded in 2018 at 922 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 34.2%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the largest decline of 21.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam were the main sources of coconut, Brazil nut, and cashew imports to Costa Rica in kind. Indonesia accounted for 33.6% of imports, the Philippines for 32.2%, and Vietnam for 24.8%, together representing 90.6% 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

In 2020, Costa Rica imported approximately 2 557 thousand US dollars worth of coconuts, Brazil nuts, and cashews, corresponding to a significant uptick of 21.3% from the previous year. However, between 2017 and 2020, overall imports decreased by 25.8%, equating to an annualized decline of 9.5%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 2 108 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 44.9%. The highest value occurred in 2018 at 3 824 thousand US dollars.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Vietnam, Indonesia, and the Philippines were the key partners for Costa Rica's coconut, Brazil nut, and cashew imports in value terms. Vietnam accounted for 55.7% of imports, Indonesia for 16.4%, and the Philippines for 14.8%, together making up 86.8% of total import value.

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

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