Lettuce and chicory market in Costa Rica

Earlier Report Observations

The lettuce and chicory market in Costa Rica saw considerable movement between 2018 and 2023. It jumped from 680.2 tonnes in 2018 to 966.9 tonnes in 2019, largely due to a near-doubling of import volumes. A production project in the Chorotega region, launched in 2018, sought to expand local cultivation and train farmers, though domestic output remained steady around 560 tonnes.

From 2020 onward, the market size gradually contracted, falling to 651.7 tonnes by 2023. A regulatory shift in July 2022 introduced updated sanitary permit rules for packaged foods, including lettuce, likely tightening supply conditions. During this period, consumer preferences consistently favored fresh, local, and sustainably packaged produce, supporting demand even as total volume declined. By 2023, the market showed evolution with growing demand for pesticide-free, hydroponic lettuce and value-added services like pre-washed and e-commerce offerings.

Recent reports for highlight continued strong demand for fresh lettuce at farmer's markets and ongoing promotional strategies emphasizing the health and economic benefits of consuming local, seasonal produce.

Production lettuce and chicory in Costa Rica

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of lettuce and chicory, 2017-2020

World map of production of lettuce and chicory, 2017-2020

Costa Rica's lettuce and chicory production volume declined after two consecutive years of growth. In 2019, production reached its peak at 562.3 tons, representing a modest 0.5% increase from the previous year. By 2020, output remained nearly unchanged at 560.0 tons, showing virtually no movement compared to 2019.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Lettuce and chicory production in Costa Rica increased following a two-year decline. In 2019, the value of production hit its lowest point at 783 thousand US dollars. The following year, in 2020, output rose to 837 thousand US dollars, marking a 7.0% gain from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value decreased by 23.5%, with an annualized decline rate of 8.5%. The most significant drop occurred in 2018, when production value fell by 19.5%.

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

Exports lettuce and chicory from Costa Rica

Exports in kind, t

After two years of growth, Costa Rica's lettuce and chicory exports declined. In 2019, exports reached their highest level at 247.1 tons, following a substantial 65.4% increase in 2018. By 2020, exports fell to 127.9 tons, representing a 48.3% decrease compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 11.4%, with an annual growth rate of 3.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Nicaragua and Panama were the primary destinations for Costa Rica's lettuce and chicory exports in volume terms, together accounting for 98.7% of total shipments. The remaining volume was distributed among smaller markets.

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 lettuce and chicory exports in value terms declined. In 2019, exports peaked at 344.0 thousand US dollars, after a 33.0% increase in 2018. By 2020, exports dropped to 191.2 thousand US dollars, showing a sharp 44.4% decrease compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value decreased by 15%, with an annualized decline rate of 5.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Panama dominated Costa Rica's lettuce and chicory exports in value terms, accounting for 70.5% of total flows. Other destinations represented relatively small shares of the export market.

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 lettuce and chicory to Costa Rica

Imports in kind, t

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Import volumes reached their lowest point in 2018 at 310.7 tons, then peaked in 2019 at 651.7 tons, representing a 109.8% increase from the previous year. By 2020, imports declined to 383.6 tons, showing a 41.1% decrease compared to 2019. The difference between the 2018 low and 2019 high was 2.1 times.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Mexico overwhelmingly dominated Costa Rica's lettuce and chicory imports in volume terms, accounting for 99.8% of total shipments.

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

Volatility characterized the market behavior during these years. Import value reached its lowest point in 2018 at 217.6 thousand US dollars, then peaked in 2019 at 432.0 thousand US dollars, representing a 98.5% increase from the previous year. By 2020, imports declined to 268.3 thousand US dollars, showing a 37.9% decrease compared to 2019. The difference between the 2018 low and 2019 high was 2 times.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Mexico was the key and almost exclusive market for Costa Rica's lettuce and chicory imports in value terms, accounting for 99.7% of total flows.

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

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