Palm nuts and kernels market in Costa Rica

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2023, the palm nuts and kernels market in Costa Rica expanded from 1 099 thousand tons to 1 264 thousand tons. Throughout this period, the National Chamber of Palm Producers (CANAPALMA) played a central role in fostering collaboration between private, cooperative, and government sectors, aiming to enhance productivity and market competitiveness.

Market volume growth was particularly strong in 2020, reaching 1 161 thousand tons, and again in 2022, when it peaked at 1 276 thousand tons. In 2023, the market saw a slight contraction to 1 264 thousand tons. That same year, the Ministry of Economy, Industry and Commerce approved a national technical standard that sets quality criteria for oil palm fruit, improving transparency between growers and processing companies and strengthening market regulation.

Production palm nuts and kernels in Costa Rica

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Costa Rica ranked 16th globally in terms of palm nuts and kernels production volume.

Top producers of palm nuts and kernels, 2017-2020

World map of production of palm nuts and kernels, 2017-2020

Following a two-year decline, palm nuts and kernels production in Costa Rica rebounded. In 2020, the country produced 1 139 K t, marking a modest 5.3% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 3.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.3%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 1 082 K t, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 at 0.7%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, B $ US

Costa Rica's palm nuts and kernels production value rose for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 182.4 B $ US, reflecting a slight 2.8% year-over-year increase. Between 2017 and 2020, production value increased by 5.5%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 1.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 162.5 B $ US, with the largest decline that year at 6.0%. The most significant increase occurred in 2019 at 9.2%.

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

Exports palm nuts and kernels from Costa Rica

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Costa Rica's foreign palm nuts and kernels exports reached 23 t, up 48.7% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 11.1%, with an average annual decline of 3.8%. The lowest export volume was in 2019 at 16 t, while the highest was in 2018 at 27 t. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 42.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Costa Rica's palm nuts and kernels exports in kind were distributed across multiple countries without a clear dominant partner. Thailand accounted for 24.3% of exports, Colombia for 13.1%, and India for 11.7%, with these three countries together representing just 49.1% of total 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, K $ US

After two years of decline, Costa Rica's palm nuts and kernels exports in value terms increased. In 2020, export value reached 3 698 K $ US, representing a 45.2% gain compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 9.7%, with an average annual decline of 3.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 2 547 K $ US, with the largest decline that year at 36.4%.

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

Data from 2017 to 2020 show that Costa Rica's palm nuts and kernels exports in value terms were not concentrated on a few key destinations. Thailand accounted for 24.3% of exports, Ecuador for 13.3%, and Colombia for 12.2%, with these three countries together representing only 49.8% 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 nuts and kernels to Costa Rica

Imports in kind, t

Palm nuts and kernels imports to Costa Rica increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, import volume reached 22 102 t, a 49.7% increase compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 157.1%, equating to an annualized rate of 37.0%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Nicaragua was the leading supplier of palm nuts and kernels to Costa Rica, accounting for 83.1% of imports in kind.

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

Cross-border shipments of palm nuts and kernels to Costa Rica increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 3 823 K $ US, up 25.7% from the prior year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 19.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 6.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 2 981 K $ US, with the largest decline that year at 6.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Nicaragua was the primary and nearly exclusive source for palm nuts and kernels imports to Costa Rica in value terms, accounting for 96.1% 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