Concentrated or sweetened milk and cream market in Costa Rica

Earlier Report Observations

The market for concentrated or sweetened milk and cream in Costa Rica stood at 21 044 t worth 70.8 million USD in 2018, then contracted sharply to 17 606 t (53.6 million USD) in 2019. A rebound to 20 889 t (72.8 million USD) followed in 2020, partly driven by the COVID-19 pandemic which disrupted supply chains and likely boosted demand for longer‑shelf‑life dairy products. Throughout this period, a preferential 10% tariff on imports of evaporated and concentrated milk supported inflows from Chile and Peru.

After stabilizing at 20 781 t (70.6 million USD) in 2021, the market volume grew by 17% in 2022 to reach 24 405 t (98.1 million USD). This expansion occurred despite a February 2022 sanitary alert over Cronobacter and Salmonella in powdered infant formulas, which triggered batch recalls and tighter quality controls. New allergen‑labeling rules requiring 'contains milk' indications, introduced in 2021, also reshaped how products were presented to consumers.

Growth continued in 2023, with the market reaching 25 322 t valued at 122.2 million USD. Preliminary 2024 trade data show imports of 8 567 t and exports of 7 610 t, indicating ongoing market activity. Domestic production posted steady, incremental gains across the entire period.

Production concentrated or sweetened milk and cream in Costa Rica

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream, 2017-2020

World map of production of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream, 2017-2020

Costa Rica's production of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream grew for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 22 069 tonnes, marking a 1.6% increase from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 3.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.3%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 21 248 tonnes, which saw a slight decline of 0.1%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the largest increase, with production jumping by 2.3%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream production in Costa Rica reached 105.9 million US dollars, representing a significant 16.3% increase compared to 2019. Over the four-year span from 2017 to 2020, production value grew by 16.8%, translating to an annualized growth rate of 5.3%. The most notable drop occurred in 2019, when the value fell by 2.9%.

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

Exports concentrated or sweetened milk and cream from Costa Rica

Exports in kind, t

Costa Rica exported 10 163 tonnes of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream in 2020, which was 15.1% lower than the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports overall increased by 19.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 6.2%. The lowest export volume was in 2018 at 8 258 tonnes, while the peak was in 2019 at 11 967 tonnes. That year also saw the largest surge, with exports climbing by 44.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Guatemala, the Dominican Republic, and El Salvador were the top destinations for Costa Rica's exports of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream by volume. Guatemala accounted for 36.2% of exports, followed by the Dominican Republic at 15.3% and El Salvador at 14.2%. Together, these three countries made up 65.8% of total export flows during this period.

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

Following two years of growth, Costa Rica's exports of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream by value declined in 2020. Exports that year totaled 48.761 million US dollars, a 2.8% decrease year-on-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value increased by 34.7%, with an annualized growth rate of 10.4%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 50.154 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 37.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main buyers of Costa Rica's concentrated or sweetened milk and cream by value were Guatemala, El Salvador, and Nicaragua. Guatemala led with 39.1% of export value, El Salvador accounted for 15.7%, and Nicaragua made up 12.6%. Combined, these three countries represented 67.4% of total export value during this timeframe.

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 concentrated or sweetened milk and cream to Costa Rica

Imports in kind, t

After two years of decline, Costa Rica's imports of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream by volume rebounded in 2020. The country imported approximately 8 982 tonnes that year, a substantial 14.6% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 3.6%, with an average annual rate of 1.2%. The lowest import volume was in 2019 at 7 841 tonnes, while the largest drop occurred in 2018, with a 7.1% decrease.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Chile, Panama, and the Netherlands were the primary sources for Costa Rica's imports of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream by volume. Chile dominated with 57.9% of imports, followed by Panama at 19.9% and the Netherlands at 5.3%. Together, these three countries supplied 83.0% of total import volume during this period.

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

Following a two-year downturn, Costa Rica's imports of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream by value increased in 2020. Imports amounted to 15.713 million US dollars, showing a strong 24.0% rise from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, import value grew by 8.9%, with an annualized rate of 2.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 12.671 million US dollars, while the largest decline happened in 2018, with a 6.6% drop.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Chile, Panama, and the Netherlands were the key sources in the geographical breakdown of Costa Rica's imports of concentrated or sweetened milk and cream by value. Chile accounted for 51.6% of import value, Panama for 21.9%, and the Netherlands for 5.1%. Collectively, these three countries represented 78.7% of total import flows during this time.

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

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