Coconuts market in Costa Rica

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the coconut market in Costa Rica gradually declined in volume from 14 824 t to 14 427 t. This period saw the active role of the state-owned National Production Council (CNP) in supporting local agricultural producers and stabilizing prices, while modifications to the bilateral trade regime with Panama affected market access conditions. The government's launch of the National Cocoa Plan 2018-2028 also highlighted a broader policy focus on strengthening agricultural value chains and promoting high-quality exports.

The market contracted sharply to 9 670 t in 2021, a downturn influenced by the broader economic disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic which affected supply chains and demand. A significant recovery followed in 2022, with market volume rising to 12 442 t. This rebound was primarily driven by the enactment of a law to eliminate overpricing in public purchases of agricultural products, which strengthened support for micro, small, and medium-sized producers. Concurrent global supply chain challenges and geopolitical tensions further impacted the productive environment.

Market volume then stabilized at 12 120 t in 2023. The business climate for production outside of free trade zones remained challenging, affecting overall competitiveness. Subsequent regulatory activity in 2024 included updates to national Codex Alimentarius committees, indicating ongoing evolution in technical standards and labeling rules for agricultural goods.

Production coconuts in Costa Rica

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of coconuts, 2017-2020

World map of production of coconuts, 2017-2020

Costa Rica's coconut production remained nearly unchanged in 2020 at 18 000 tonnes, showing little variation from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 7.1%, which translates to an annualized increase of 2.3%. The peak was reached in 2018 with 18 000 tonnes, while the largest annual increase of 7.1% also occurred that year. In 2019, production saw no significant change.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Costa Rica's coconut production value rose for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 9 641 thousand US dollars, representing a 12.4% increase from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production value grew by 3.9%, averaging 1.3% per year. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 8 306 thousand US dollars, which also marked the largest annual decline of 10.5%.

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

Exports coconuts from Costa Rica

Exports in kind, t

Following a two-year decline, Costa Rica's coconut export volume increased in 2020. Exports reached 4 047 tonnes, showing a moderate rise of 7.5% compared to 2019. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 3 766 tonnes, while the largest annual decrease of 6.0% occurred in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, Canada, and the Netherlands were the primary markets for Costa Rica's coconut exports in volume terms. The United States accounted for 28.8% of exports, Canada for 21.6%, and the Netherlands for 18.3%, together making up 68.7% 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 coconut export value increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports amounted to 2 168 thousand US dollars, a significant gain of 20.8% over 2019. However, over the 2017-2020 period, export value decreased by 4.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of -1.5%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 1 780 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest annual decline of 21.5%.

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

During 2017-2020, the United States, Canada, and the Netherlands remained the key markets for Costa Rica's coconut exports in value terms, collectively accounting for 69.3% 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 coconuts to Costa Rica

Imports in kind, t

Costa Rica's coconut import volume declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 474 tonnes, a decrease of 13.2% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import volume increased by 3.6%, averaging 1.2% per year. The highest volume was recorded in 2018 at 681 tonnes, which also experienced the largest annual increase of 48.9%. The largest annual decline of 19.9% occurred in 2019.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Indonesia and the Philippines were the dominant suppliers of coconuts to Costa Rica in volume terms, together accounting for 93.1% of total imports. Other partners contributed relatively minor shares.

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 coconut import value reached 826 thousand US dollars, a moderate increase of 7.2% compared to 2019. However, over the 2017-2020 period, import value decreased by 20.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of -7.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 771 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest annual decline of 45.9%. The highest value was in 2018 at 1 424 thousand US dollars, with the largest annual increase of 36.8% occurring that year.

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

Over 2017-2020, Indonesia and the Philippines were the leading suppliers of coconuts to Costa Rica in value terms, together taking 91.5% of total imports. Other destinations each held relatively small 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