Cotton seeds market in Costa Rica

Earlier Report Observations

In 2018, the implementation of the National Seed Policy 2017-2030 established strategic guidelines for plant variety development and quality assurance, laying the groundwork for the seed sector. The consolidation of Bayer's research station in Guanacaste, exporting over 40 tons of cotton seeds annually to the U.S., supported production capacity. By 2019, continued export of high-quality seeds and Bayer's investments in generating new genetic lines contributed to stable production, though market volume rose only slightly due to lower exports.

In 2020, the expansion of cotton fiber processing capacity at the Cañas plant increased efficiency by nearly 50%, enabling a rise in seed exports to 96 tons. This led to a drop in market volume to 291 tons despite higher production. In 2021, further investments by Bayer and the certification of operations as carbon-neutral enhanced production sustainability, while exports fell to 50 tons, causing a sharp market volume increase to 352 tons. By 2022, Costa Rica solidified its position as an innovation hub for cotton seeds, attracting international companies like BASF and Nutrien, which supported production activity.

The update of the regulatory framework for agricultural biotechnology in November 2023 simplified the commercial use of crops developed through new genetic improvement techniques, including genome editing. This change, along with announced Bayer investments for 2024-2025, contributed to a rise in seed exports to 106 tons in 2023, reducing market volume to 293 tons. In 2024, ongoing investments in infrastructure and talent, as well as the active National Seed Policy, point to further sector development.

Production cotton seeds in Costa Rica

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of cotton seeds, 2017-2020

World map of production of cotton seeds, 2017-2020

In 2019, Costa Rica's cotton seed production hit its lowest point at 371.1 tons, but then saw a modest recovery in 2020 with output reaching 384.4 tons - a 3.6% increase year-over-year. The peak production occurred earlier, in 2018, when the country produced 397.0 tons. The most significant production decline was recorded in 2019, when output fell by 6.5%.

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

Exports cotton seeds from Costa Rica

Exports in kind, t

After two consecutive years of decline, Costa Rica's cotton seed exports rebounded in 2020, reaching 96.0 tons - a substantial 67.3% increase compared to the previous year. However, looking at the broader 2017-2020 period, exports actually decreased by 45.2%, with an average annual decline of 18.2%. The export volume bottomed out in 2019 at just 57.4 tons, while the steepest single-year drop occurred in 2018 with a 49.8% decrease.

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

From 2017 through 2020, the United States served as the exclusive destination for Costa Rica's cotton seed exports, consistently accounting for 100% of the country's total export volume.

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 export market showed considerable volatility during this period. In 2019, cotton seed export value reached its lowest point at 65.8 thousand US dollars, but then surged dramatically in 2020 to 136.8 thousand US dollars - a remarkable 107.8% increase. The peak export value occurred in 2017, creating a 5.3-fold difference between the high and low points. The most significant decline in export value was recorded in 2019, when it fell by 62.3%.

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

Throughout the 2017-2020 period, the United States maintained its position as the dominant market for Costa Rica's cotton seed exports in value terms, consistently capturing 100% of the country's export revenue.

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 cotton seeds to Costa Rica

Imports in kind, t

Import volumes showed significant fluctuations, indicating a volatile market environment. In 2020, Costa Rica's cotton seed imports dropped to just 2.2 tons - a 68.2% decrease compared to 2019. The import volume peaked in 2017 and reached its lowest point in 2020, representing a dramatic 13.4-fold difference between these years. The steepest decline occurred in 2018 with an 80.1% drop, while imports actually increased by 18.0% in 2019.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Costa Rica's cotton seed imports came almost exclusively from just two countries - the United States and Canada - which together accounted for 100% of the country's 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

Import values exhibited noticeable fluctuations during this period. In 2020, Costa Rica imported 10.5 thousand US dollars worth of cotton seeds, representing a significant 35.1% decrease compared to the previous year. Import values reached their highest point in 2017 and their lowest in 2020, with a 4.3-fold difference between these extremes. The most substantial decline occurred in 2018 with a 66.9% drop, while 2019 saw a modest 8.7% increase.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States and Canada dominated Costa Rica's cotton seed imports in value terms, together accounting for 99.4% of the country's total import spending.

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

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