Honey market in Costa Rica

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2019, Costa Rica's honey production remained stable at 1 180 t annually, supported by the National Beekeeping Program which expanded hive numbers to over 39 000. Imports, however, fell from 650 t to 389 t over these two years, reflecting a shift in supply sources. During this period, the declaration of National Bee Day and the launch of the online Honey Market platform boosted digital sales by 23%, tapping into growing consumer preference for healthy products.

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted agricultural supply chains in 2020, contributing to a drop in production to 1 061 t and a reduction in imports to 331 t. Output faced further pressure from reported bee mortality linked to agrochemicals and climate risks, pushing production down to 976 t in 2021. The impending enforcement of stricter maximum residue limits for pesticides by SENASA, announced with retroactive effect, required producers to adapt their practices, which temporarily constrained production to 798 t in 2022.

By 2023, production recovered modestly to 833 t as the market adapted to new regulations, including a decree that established traceability and phytosanitary requirements for export packaging. The total market volume reached 1 392 t, aided by a rise in imports to 561 t and the growing availability of value-added products like essential oil-infused honey from local SMEs. In 2024, imports decreased to 456 t, while strategic alliances, such as a German-Costa Rican project to improve sustainable beekeeping practices, continued to influence the sector's development.

Production honey in Costa Rica

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of honey, 2017-2020

World map of production of honey, 2017-2020

In 2019, Costa Rica produced 1,180 tons of honey, which decreased to 1,061 tons in 2020, marking a 10.0% decline. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 5.9%, with an average annual growth rate of -2.0%. The peak was in 2018 at 1,180 tons, with the largest year-on-year increase of 4.6% also occurring that year.

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

Exports honey from Costa Rica

Exports in kind, t

Costa Rica's honey exports dropped to zero tons in 2020, representing a sharp 97.1% decrease from 2019.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France was the dominant destination for Costa Rica's honey exports, accounting for 99.8% of the total 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

In 2020, honey exports from Costa Rica totaled $0.2 thousand, showing a steep 99.4% contraction compared to the previous year.

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

During 2017-2020, France remained the overwhelmingly dominant buyer of Costa Rican honey, representing 100.0% 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 honey to Costa Rica

Imports in kind, t

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Import levels fluctuated significantly, with a two-fold difference between the high of 650.0 tons in 2018 and the low of 330.8 tons in 2020. In 2020, foreign honey supplies to Costa Rica amounted to 330.8 tons, a strong 15.0% drop from the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 40.2%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 71.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, El Salvador and Guatemala together absorbed 93.7% of Costa Rica's honey imports by volume, with the remainder distributed among smaller markets.

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

The data reveals irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. The highest import value was $2,126 thousand in 2018, and the lowest was $921 thousand in 2020, reflecting a 2.3-fold gap. In 2020, cross-border honey shipments to Costa Rica reached $921 thousand, corresponding to a 23.6% year-over-year decline. The largest decrease was in 2019 at 43.3%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 90.5%.

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

Over 2017-2020, El Salvador and Guatemala remained the primary suppliers of honey to Costa Rica, with a combined share of 93.9% of total import value, and the rest fragmented across other countries.

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

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