Market research

Lemons and limes market in Costa Rica

Release date: Mar 28, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for lemons and limes in Costa Rica grew from 36.3 thousand t in 2018 to 37.4 thousand t in 2020. This expansion was supported by the establishment of a logistics cluster in Limón province, which enhanced transport and distribution efficiency for agricultural products. The strategic ports of Moín and Limón provided robust export infrastructure, although export volumes remained minimal. Municipal regulations governing the central market in Limón also shaped the local trading environment during this period.

Following a minor contraction in 2021, the market recovered and reached 37.3 thousand t by 2023. This recovery was partly fueled by increased domestic demand, stimulated by the country's growing sustainable tourism sector, which boosted consumption of agricultural goods including citrus fruits.

In 2024, imports of lemons and limes surged to 1.3 thousand t, indicating a rise in consumption, while domestic production remained stable at approximately 36.4 thousand t.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in Costa Rica
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Costa Rica in kind, 2018-2023, t
  2. 5.1.2. Annual dynamics of production in Costa Rica in value, 2018-2023, $ US
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, t
  2. 5.2.2. Dynamics of production structure by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023
  3. 5.2.3. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2023, t
  4. 5.2.4. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2023
  5. 5.2.5. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2023
6. Imports
1. 6.1. Imports (Direct Data)
  1. 6.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Costa Rica in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Costa Rica by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Costa Rica in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Costa Rica by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Costa Rica, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Costa Rica by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 6.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Costa Rica in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Costa Rica by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Costa Rica in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Costa Rica by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Costa Rica, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Costa Rica by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
7. Exports
1. 7.1. Exports (Direct Data)
  1. 7.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Costa Rica in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Costa Rica by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Costa Rica in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Costa Rica by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Costa Rica, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Costa Rica by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 7.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Costa Rica in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Costa Rica by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Costa Rica in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Costa Rica by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Costa Rica, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Costa Rica by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, K $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, K $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2024
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production lemons and limes in Costa Rica

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of lemons and limes, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of lemons and limes, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Costa Rica's production of lemons and limes has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 36 615 tonnes, marking a 1.2% rise compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, overall production grew by 3.8%, which translates to an average annual increase of 1.2%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	1.1%	1.4%	1.2%	1.2%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports lemons and limes from Costa Rica

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Costa Rica exported 3.7 tonnes of lemons and limes, showing minimal change from 2019. Between 2018 and 2020, exports fell by 83%, averaging an annual decline of 44.6%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	n/a	n/a	n/a	-

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Nicaragua was the primary destination for Costa Rica's lemon and lime exports in volume, absorbing 74.5% of the total, while the remainder was distributed among various smaller markets.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's exports from Costa Rica in kind, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Costa Rica's lemon and lime exports were valued at 4.6 thousand US dollars, remaining nearly unchanged from 2019. Between 2018 and 2020, export value dropped by 91.6%, with an average annual decrease of 56.3%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	n/a	n/a	n/a	-

Source: SHEV.io

During the 2017–2020 period, Nicaragua dominated Costa Rica's lemon and lime exports in value terms, holding an 88.4% share, while other markets collectively accounted for the rest.

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

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's exports from Costa Rica in value, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Imports lemons and limes to Costa Rica

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Costa Rica imported 767.4 tonnes of lemons and limes, a significant increase of 21.1% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports rose by 32.3%, averaging an annual growth of 9.8%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 7.7%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	18.3%	(7.7%)	21.1%	9.8%

Source: SHEV.io

Between 2017 and 2020, Costa Rica relied heavily on El Salvador for lemon and lime imports in volume, with this market supplying 92.1% of the total.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, K $ US

Costa Rica's imports of lemons and limes have increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports totaled 952.1 thousand US dollars, a slight rise of 0.8% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, import value surged by 260.5%, averaging an annual increase of 53.3%.

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