Milled rice and broken rice market in Costa Rica

Earlier Report Observations

The milled rice market in Costa Rica saw steady growth from 2018 to 2020, with production increasing from 175.9 thousand tonnes to 213.5 thousand tonnes and market volume expanding from 209.5 thousand tonnes to 240.4 thousand tonnes. During this period, the market was shaped by state intervention, including reference price setting by the Ministry of Economy, Industry and Commerce (MEIC) and the dominant role of the state-owned National Rice Corporation (Conarroz), which provided stability for producers but also led to distortions due to market concentration.

A turning point came in 2022 with the implementation of the 'Rice Route' policy, which drastically cut import tariffs and removed sales price controls. This policy shift reduced the sown area from 35 000 hectares to 24 000 hectares, favoring imports and increasing import dependency. As a result, domestic production fell to 212.8 thousand tonnes in 2022, and the total market volume declined to 223.0 thousand tonnes from 227.4 thousand tonnes in 2021.

By 2023, production recovered to 235.6 thousand tonnes, and the market volume rebounded to 247.2 thousand tonnes. The liberalization under the Rice Route continued, while international rice prices rose by 21% in early 2023, putting pressure on the import-dependent market. Conarroz remained a key state actor, and future market access changes, such as duty-free entry for U.S. rice from 2025, signaled further liberalization.

Production milled rice and broken rice in Costa Rica

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of milled rice and broken rice, 2017-2020

World map of production of milled rice and broken rice, 2017-2020

Costa Rica's production of milled rice and broken rice has grown for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 213.5 thousand tons, showing a significant 11.8% increase compared to the previous year. Looking at the 2017-2020 period, production rose by 20.2%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 6.3%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 175.9 thousand tons, when output fell by 1.0%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2020, the value of milled rice and broken rice production in Costa Rica reached 51,323 thousand US dollars, representing a moderate 3.7% decrease from 2019. The lowest value during this period was 51,069 thousand US dollars in 2018, while the highest was 53,268 thousand US dollars in 2019, when production value increased by 4.3%.

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

Exports milled rice and broken rice from Costa Rica

Exports in kind, t

Costa Rica's exports of milled rice and broken rice have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 16,601 tons, marking a substantial 28.0% year-over-year growth. Between 2017 and 2020, exports surged by 63.8%, equivalent to an annualized growth rate of 17.9%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 7,895 tons, when exports declined by 22.1%. This was followed by a sharp recovery in 2019 with a 64.2% increase.

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

From 2017 to 2020, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Nicaragua were the top buyers of Costa Rican milled rice and broken rice, accounting for 36.8%, 32.0%, and 30.6% of exports in kind respectively. Together, these three countries represented 99.4% of Costa Rica's total exports in this category.

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

Costa Rica's export value of milled rice and broken rice has risen for the second year running. In 2020, exports were valued at 3,990 thousand US dollars, up 10.3% year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value increased by 34.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 10.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 2,292 thousand US dollars, when exports fell by 22.8%. This was followed by a strong rebound in 2019 with a 57.8% increase.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Costa Rica's export value of milled rice and broken rice was highly concentrated, with El Salvador and Guatemala together accounting for 81.9% of total flows. Other trading partners made up the remaining share.

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 milled rice and broken rice to Costa Rica

Imports in kind, t

Following two years of growth, Costa Rica's imports of milled rice and broken rice declined in 2020. The country imported 43,413 tons that year, down 15.8% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports still increased by 22.3%, averaging 6.9% annual growth. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 51,557 tons, when imports jumped by 24.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay were the main sources of Costa Rica's milled rice and broken rice imports, contributing 39.4%, 27.1%, and 17.5% of imports in kind respectively. Together, these three countries supplied 84.0% of Costa Rica's total imports in this category.

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

After two years of increase, Costa Rica's import value of milled rice and broken rice fell in 2020. Imports totaled 24,595 thousand US dollars that year, declining by 13.9% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value still grew by 12.3%, with an average annual rate of 4.0%. The peak was reached in 2019 at 28,571 thousand US dollars, when import value rose by 16.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, three key markets—Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay—collectively accounted for 81.8% of the total value of milled rice and broken rice imports to Costa Rica.

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

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