Maize market in Costa Rica

Earlier Report Observations

Domestic maize production in Costa Rica collapsed from 18 thousand tons in 2018 to just 7 thousand tons by 2022-2023, a trend driven by a 77% reduction in planted area over the preceding decade. The National Production Council (CNP) repeatedly declared shortages of white maize, activating Law 8763 to allow preferential-tariff or duty-free imports, which offset the dwindling local supply and deepened import dependence.

Market volume initially grew from 907 thousand tons in 2018 to a peak of 1 071 thousand tons in 2021, supported by increased import access. The elimination of the 1% import tariff from January 2020 lowered costs for foreign maize, predominantly yellow corn from the United States, further cementing reliance on imports. A temporary contraction to 837 thousand tons in 2022 occurred alongside another official shortage declaration and duty-free import measures, even as import tonnage dipped that year.

Regulatory tightening continued in 2023-2024 with a new omnibus regulation imposing stricter environmental risk assessments for agrochemicals and the approval of organic farming rules, affecting production costs. The balanced feed sector, accounting for 83% of national animal feed, remained the core driver of imports, which reached 1 072 thousand tons in 2024. New maximum limits for aflatoxins and the introduction of laser 'natural' labeling for produce also began shaping quality and marketing standards for maize.

Production maize in Costa Rica

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of maize, 2017-2020

World map of production of maize, 2017-2020

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. In 2017, production volumes reached their lowest point, then peaked in 2018 with a 2.7-fold difference between these years. Costa Rica produced 14,181 tonnes of maize in 2020, representing a moderate year-on-year increase of 6.6%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 18,063 tonnes. The most significant decline occurred in 2019 with a 26.3% drop, while the largest increase was observed in 2018 with a 168.8% surge.

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

Exports maize from Costa Rica

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, maize exports from Costa Rica reached 6.8 thousand tonnes, marking a substantial increase of 12,736.2% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 28,334.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 557.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Costa Rica's maize exports in volume terms were almost entirely directed to Panama, which accounted for 98.0% of total export flows.

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, M $ US

In 2020, the value of maize exports from Costa Rica amounted to 1.6 million US dollars, representing a 3,068.6% increase compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, export values rose by 6,865.8%, corresponding to an annualized growth rate of 311.5%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, Panama was by far the primary destination for Costa Rica's maize exports in value terms, accounting for 90.9% of total export flows.

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 maize to Costa Rica

Imports in kind, K t

Costa Rica's maize imports increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country imported 954.5 thousand tonnes of maize, showing a modest gain of 1.4% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 12.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Costa Rica's maize imports in volume terms were highly concentrated on the United States, which accounted for 92.2% of total import flows.

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, M $ US

Costa Rica's maize imports continued to rise for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country imported maize worth 194.1 million US dollars, reflecting a slight increase of 0.8% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, import values increased by 16.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.2%.

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

Throughout the 2017-2020 period, the United States was the key partner for Costa Rica's maize imports in value terms, accounting for 92.0% of total import 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