Pastry market in Costa Rica

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the pastry market volume in Costa Rica expanded from 13 678 t to 23 697 t. This growth was supported by government incentives for new bakery-pastry factories, a rise in per capita consumption to around 27 kg per year, and public investment in the supply chain through the PIMA program. Increased imports of raw materials and equipment further enabled production capacity.

The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 temporarily closed physical outlets but accelerated online sales and spurred the development of gluten-free and plant-based product lines. However, the market contracted to 16 811 t in 2021, coinciding with stricter nutritional labeling regulations that limited high-sugar warnings, potentially affecting consumer choices. The creation of the 'Esencial Costa Rica' sustainability certification also began shaping product offerings.

Recovery began in 2022 when tariff reductions on flour and baking inputs under the U.S. free trade agreement improved local producers' competitiveness. The launch of premium chocolate lines and the proliferation of e-commerce channels boosted demand, lifting market volume to 23 461 t in 2023. In 2024, Grupo Bimbo's investment in logistics and production facilities, alongside growing demand for sustainable and local products, signaled continued market evolution.

Production pastry in Costa Rica

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of pastry, 2017-2020

World map of production of pastry, 2017-2020

Pastry production in Costa Rica has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 31 050 tons of pastry, marking a significant 27.3% year-over-year rise. From 2017 to 2020, production grew by 72.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 19.9%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Costa Rica's pastry production has risen for the third year in a row. In 2020, the output was valued at 55 165 thousand US dollars, showing a solid 21.2% increase compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 70.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 19.5%.

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

Exports pastry from Costa Rica

Exports in kind, t

After two years of decline, pastry exports from Costa Rica have rebounded. In 2020, the country exported 26 094 tons of pastry, which is 9.8% higher than the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 2.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.0%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 23 766 tons, with the largest decline of 4.6% occurring that same year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Panama, Guatemala, and Nicaragua were the main markets for Costa Rica's pastry exports in kind. Panama accounted for 36.2% of exports, Guatemala for 23.8%, and Nicaragua for 15.8%. Together, these three countries represented 75.8% 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, K $ US

Following a two-year decline, pastry exports from Costa Rica have increased. In 2020, exports reached 46 361 thousand US dollars, up 4.5% from 2019. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 44 360 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline of 1.4% occurring in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Panama, Guatemala, and Nicaragua remained the leading destinations for Costa Rica's pastry exports in value terms. Panama held a 38.1% share, Guatemala 25.4%, and Nicaragua 12.7%. Combined, these three markets accounted for 76.2% 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 pastry to Costa Rica

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Costa Rica imported 18 742 tons of pastry, reflecting a solid 11.5% decline compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 6.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of -2.4%. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 21 178 tons, with the largest increase of 5.5% also occurring that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Guatemala, the United States, and Honduras were the primary sources for pastry imports to Costa Rica in kind. Together, these three markets accounted for 60.8% 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, K $ US

After two years of growth, Costa Rica's pastry imports declined. In 2020, import volume totaled 44 417 thousand US dollars, down 13.7% from a year earlier. From 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 6%, with a compound annual growth rate of -2.0%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 51 486 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase of 7.4% also occurring that year.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the United States, Guatemala, and Honduras remained the key partners for Costa Rica's pastry imports in value terms. The United States accounted for 33.2% of imports, Guatemala for 22.7%, and Honduras for 14.0%. Together, these three countries represented 69.9% 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