Household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets market in Costa Rica

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2023, the market volume for household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets in Costa Rica contracted sharply from 15 306 t to 3 557 t, a decline of 76%. This drop was entirely due to a collapse in imports, which fell from 11 882 t to 134 t over the period, while domestic production remained unchanged at 3 424 t each year.

The most pronounced decreases occurred in 2022 and 2023, when import volumes fell by 58% and 42% respectively, driving down the total market size by over 40% in each of those years.

By 2024, broader trends began influencing the market landscape. E‑commerce in Costa Rica was expanding rapidly, with online sales reaching USD 6.4 billion and growing at an annual rate of 13%, altering distribution channels. At the same time, product innovations such as bamboo‑fiber, vegan, and biodegradable paper gained traction, reflecting a shift in consumer preferences toward sustainable options.

Production household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets in Costa Rica

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets, 2017-2020

World map of production of household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets, 2017-2020

In 2020, Costa Rica produced 3,424 tons of household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets, showing broad stability compared to 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 0.0%, while the largest increase also occurred in 2018 at 0.0%.

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

Exports household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets from Costa Rica

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the period. Exports reached their minimum in 2018 at 0.0 tons and peaked in 2017, with a 2,515-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Costa Rica exported 9 tons of household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets, representing a 78.3% decrease from the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 100.0%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 185,109.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Costa Rica's exports of household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets were almost entirely concentrated in El Salvador, which accounted for 91.1% of the total.

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

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during this period. Exports hit their lowest point in 2018 at 0.2 thousand US dollars and peaked in 2017, with a 530-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Costa Rica's exports of household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets totaled 30 thousand US dollars, reflecting a dramatic drop of 62.6% compared to the prior year. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 99.8%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 47,585.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, El Salvador remained the key destination for Costa Rica's exports of household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets in value terms, accounting for 83.8% of total exports, while other destinations were much less significant.

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 household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets to Costa Rica

Imports in kind, t

Costa Rica's imports of household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 8,644 tons, marking a 20.9% decrease compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 50.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 20.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, El Salvador was the primary source for Costa Rica's imports of household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets in kind, accounting for 88.1% of total flows, while other markets formed a long tail of smaller partners.

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

Costa Rica's imports of household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 30 thousand US dollars, indicating a sharp decrease of 30.9% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 51.4%, equating to an annualized rate of 21.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, El Salvador played a leading role in Costa Rica's imports of household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets in value terms, with a share of 86.3% of total flows, while the remainder was distributed across other partners.

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

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