Non wood fibre pulp market in Costa Rica

Earlier Report Observations

Production of non-wood fibre pulp in Costa Rica remained exceptionally stable from 2018 to 2023, holding steady at 171 thousand tonnes each year. The market volume also showed minimal fluctuation, maintaining a level of approximately 171.2–171.3 thousand tonnes, with minor variations driven by small changes in import volumes.

In 2020, the Chilean company ARAUCO commenced production of textile pulp from eucalyptus, contributing to the global supply of cellulose fibres. By 2023, the Costa Rican market saw acceptance of artisanal products made from local fibres, though production remained low due to high input costs. In 2024, the National Forestry Office of Costa Rica updated reference prices for timber, affecting raw material costs for the industry, while growing global demand for sustainable and biodegradable cellulose fibres for the textile and paper industries provided broader market context.

Throughout the period, imports of pulp remained at a low level, contributing marginally to total market volume, while exports were virtually absent. This stability reflects the resilience of domestic production and the limited impact of external factors on overall volumes.

Production non wood fibre pulp in Costa Rica

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Costa Rica ranked 10th globally in the production of non-wood fibre pulp.

Top producers of non wood fibre pulp, 2017-2020

World map of production of non wood fibre pulp, 2017-2020

In 2020, Costa Rica produced 171.0 thousand tonnes of non-wood fibre pulp, showing only a slight fluctuation compared to the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2018, at 0.0%, while the largest increase was also recorded in 2018, at 0.0%.

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

Exports non wood fibre pulp from Costa Rica

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Costa Rica exported 11.9 tonnes of non-wood fibre pulp, a 30.2% decrease from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 47.7%, averaging an annual decline of 19.4%. The largest drop was in 2018, at 35.6%, while the biggest increase occurred in 2019, at 16.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main buyers of Costa Rica's non-wood fibre pulp exports were Guatemala, accounting for 48.7% of exports in kind, El Salvador at 29.5%, and Panama at 13.8%. Together, these three countries represented 92.0% of total exports in kind.

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

Non-wood fibre pulp exports from Costa Rica increased for the second consecutive year in 2020, reaching 37.1 thousand US dollars, a moderate rise of 4.4% compared to 2019. Over the period 2017-2020, exports decreased by 41.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of -16.6%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 31.6 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline that year at 50.4%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 12.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Panama were the primary destinations for Costa Rica's non-wood fibre pulp exports in value terms, accounting for 42.9%, 36.1%, and 18.7% respectively. Together, they absorbed 97.7% of total export value.

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 non wood fibre pulp to Costa Rica

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Costa Rica imported 248.6 tonnes of non-wood fibre pulp, a 16.7% year-on-year decrease. From 2017 to 2020, imports fell by 39.7%, averaging an annual decline of 15.5%. The largest drop was in 2018 at 28.8%, while the biggest increase occurred in 2019 at 1.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany and the United States were the main suppliers of non-wood fibre pulp to Costa Rica, together accounting for 98.2% of total imports in kind, with the remaining share distributed among other countries.

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

In 2020, Costa Rica's imports of non-wood fibre pulp amounted to 570.2 thousand US dollars, marking a strong decline of 22.5% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 21.6%, with an annualized rate of -7.8%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 534.6 thousand US dollars, while the maximum was in 2019 at 735.9 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 26.5%, and the largest increase was in 2019 at 37.7%.

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

Over the period 2017-2020, Germany and the United States were the main sources for Costa Rica's non-wood fibre pulp imports in value terms, jointly representing 95.7% of total flows, with the residual share spread across other markets.

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

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