Pig fat free of lean meat and poultry fat market in Costa Rica

Earlier Report Observations

The Costa Rican pig fat market expanded from 3 173 t in 2018 to 3 603 t in 2023, driven primarily by rising domestic pork consumption. Promotional campaigns that began in 2018 highlighted pork as a healthy meat due to genetics producing lean meat, stimulating demand. By 2019, stable prices for soy and corn, along with exchange rate control, further supported consumption growth, with per capita intake increasing from 13 kg in 2018 to nearly 17 kg by 2022.

Production challenges, however, moderated market growth. In 2021, national pork output fell 5.2% due to higher production costs and the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to increased imports to meet demand. The Russia-Ukraine war in 2022 disrupted global grain supplies, raising feed costs for pig farmers. These factors contributed to slower market volume growth of 1% in 2021 and 2.9% in 2022.

Regulatory developments also influenced the market environment. A front-of-pack labeling bill for foods high in fat, introduced in 2020, aimed to inform consumers. In 2022, the Ministry of Health ordered warning labels to be concealed, sparking controversy until the order was overturned in 2023. Amid these debates and continued sector technification, the market volume stabilized at 3 603 t in 2023.

Production pig fat free of lean meat and poultry fat in Costa Rica

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of pig fat free of lean meat and poultry fat, 2017-2020

World map of production of pig fat free of lean meat and poultry fat, 2017-2020

Costa Rica's production of pig fat free of lean meat and poultry fat has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 3,202 tonnes, marking a controlled growth of 3.9% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production rose by 11.5%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 3.7%.

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

Exports pig fat free of lean meat and poultry fat from Costa Rica

Exports in kind, t

The market showed an unstable trend over the period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2020 and peaked in 2017, with a 24-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Costa Rica's foreign supplies of pig fat free of lean meat and poultry fat totaled 4.7 tonnes, representing a sharp decline of 94.6% from the previous year. The largest increase occurred in 2019, at 32.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Panama and El Salvador were the main markets for Costa Rica's exports in kind, together accounting for 97.7% of total flows, while other partners made up the remaining share.

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

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during this period. Exports bottomed in 2020 and peaked in 2019, with a 17-fold difference. In 2020, Costa Rica's exports of pig fat free of lean meat and poultry fat reached $6.8 thousand US, down by 94.2% compared to the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at $116.8 thousand US, with the largest increase that year at 114.0%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Panama and El Salvador remained the primary buyers of pig fat free of lean meat and poultry fat from Costa Rica in value terms, jointly holding a 96.9% share of total exports, with other countries comprising the remainder.

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 pig fat free of lean meat and poultry fat to Costa Rica

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Costa Rica's imports of pig fat free of lean meat and poultry fat stood at 262.3 tonnes, which is 17.9% lower than the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 41.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of -16.4%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 235.1 tonnes, with the largest decline that year at 47.6%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, at 35.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States was the key source for Costa Rica's imports of pig fat free of lean meat and poultry fat in kind, accounting for 79.7% of total imports, while other destinations were much less significant.

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 cross-border shipments of pig fat free of lean meat and poultry fat amounted to $372.6 thousand US, indicating a sudden reduction of 44.3% from a year earlier. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 45%, with a compound annual growth rate of -18.1%. The largest increase was recorded in 2019, at 20.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States played a leading role in Costa Rica's imports of pig fat free of lean meat and poultry fat in value terms, with a share of 88.5% of total flows, and the remainder distributed across other partners.

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

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