Palm-kernel oilcake market in Costa Rica

Earlier Report Observations

The palm-kernel oilcake market in Costa Rica began the period at 50 072 т in 2018, with several established mills such as Latin América Agrialim and Compañía Industrial Aceitera Coto 54 operating under RSPO and other sustainability certifications, supporting sector stability. Market volume then rose significantly to 67 721 т by 2020, a growth driven primarily by a sharp increase in imports, which climbed from 16 588 т to 30 872 т over those two years.

A dramatic reversal occurred after 2020 as imports fell to negligible levels, causing the total market size to contract to 40 487 т in 2022. This decline happened despite consistent growth in domestic production, which expanded from 44 600 т in 2018 to 48 200 т in 2023.

By 2023, the market had partially recovered to 45 251 т, as the continued rise in local output compensated for the virtually absent import supply. Export volumes varied during these years but remained a smaller share of the total production volume.

Production palm-kernel oilcake in Costa Rica

In kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Costa Rica ranked as the world's 13th largest producer of palm-kernel oilcake.

Top producers of palm-kernel oilcake, 2017-2020

World map of production of palm-kernel oilcake, 2017-2020

In 2020, Costa Rica produced 43 900 tonnes of palm-kernel oilcake, representing a 2.6% increase compared to the previous year. Production reached its lowest point in 2019 at 42 800 tonnes, while the highest level was recorded in 2018 at 44 600 tonnes. The most significant drop occurred in 2019, with a decline of 4.0%.

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

Exports palm-kernel oilcake from Costa Rica

Exports in kind, t

The export market showed considerable volatility during this period. Exports peaked in 2018 at 11 115 tonnes and fell to their lowest level in 2019 at 3 940 tonnes, creating a 2.8-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Costa Rica's palm-kernel oilcake exports reached 7 051 tonnes, marking a substantial 79.0% year-on-year increase. The sharpest decline was recorded in 2019 at 64.6%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 with a 152.0% rise.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Nicaragua and Panama were the dominant markets for Costa Rica's palm-kernel oilcake exports in volume terms, together accounting for 82.4% of total flows, with the remainder distributed among other destinations.

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

The market exhibited significant volatility throughout these years. Exports reached their lowest point in 2019 at 111 000 US dollars and peaked in 2020 at 553 000 US dollars, representing a fivefold difference. In 2020, Costa Rica's palm-kernel oilcake export value amounted to 553 000 US dollars, showing a remarkable 399.6% increase compared to the previous year. The most substantial decline was recorded in 2019 at 50.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Guatemala (41.1% of export value), Panama (33.0%), and Nicaragua (25.2%) consistently served as the primary destinations for Costa Rica's palm-kernel oilcake exports in value terms, together representing 99.3% of total 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 palm-kernel oilcake to Costa Rica

Imports in kind, t

Costa Rica's palm-kernel oilcake imports increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 30 872 tonnes, showing a significant 39.2% rise compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 3.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.1%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 16 588 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 44.5%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Panama and Nicaragua remained the principal suppliers of palm-kernel oilcake to Costa Rica in volume terms, together accounting for 3.0% of total imports.

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

Costa Rica's palm-kernel oilcake imports increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports reached 3 365 000 US dollars, showing a strong 10.7% year-on-year advance. The lowest import value was recorded in 2018 at 2 763 000 US dollars, which also experienced the most significant decline of 18.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Panama (with 2.0% of total flows) and Honduras (0.5%) formed the leading pair of markets for Costa Rica's palm-kernel oilcake imports in value terms.

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

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