Pig offal market in Costa Rica

Earlier Report Observations

The pig offal market in Costa Rica began the period with a production base characterized by numerous small-scale farms and a few large operations that accounted for 80% of the country's pork output. This structure supported steady production growth, which reached 3 202 t by 2020. However, the domestic market volume contracted over 2018-2019 as exports expanded rapidly, reducing the available supply despite increasing production.

From 2021 to 2023, the market was influenced by a significant rise in per capita pork consumption, which grew from 13 kg in 2018 to nearly 17 kg by 2022. This increased demand, bolstered by promotion efforts from the Costa Rican Pig Farmers Chamber (CAPORC), helped lift the domestic market volume to 2 894 t in 2022. The following year, market volume retreated to 2 704 t as exports of offal continued to climb, while the overall swine sector maintained stability with major players like Tres Jotas contributing to supply.

In 2024, the sector showed continued stability, with import levels holding steady and a strong focus on technification and securing new export markets to offset previous trade barriers. The ongoing efforts to modernize and the persistent growth in domestic pork consumption provided a foundation for the market's development throughout the full period.

Production pig offal in Costa Rica

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of pig offal, 2017-2020

World map of production of pig offal, 2017-2020

Costa Rica's pig offal production has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 3 202 tonnes of pig offal, representing a gradual increase of 3.9% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 11.5%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.7%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Costa Rica's pig offal production value has risen for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 6 954 thousand US dollars, showing a gain of 11.7% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production value increased by 6.2%, with a CAGR of 2.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 5 501 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2018, falling by 16.0%, while the largest increase was in 2019, rising by 13.1%.

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

Exports pig offal from Costa Rica

Exports in kind, t

Pig offal exports from Costa Rica have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports totalled 542.9 tonnes, marking a slight gain of 1.5% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports surged by 345%, with a CAGR of 64.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, two markets—Mexico and Honduras—played the leading roles in exports by volume, together accounting for 93.7% of total flows, while the remainder was 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

Costa Rica's pig offal exports have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country exported 1 179 thousand US dollars worth of pig offal, indicating a gradual advance of 9.2% from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 323.8%, with a CAGR of 61.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Mexico and Honduras remained the main markets for exports in value terms, jointly accounting for 94.1% of total flows, while other partners formed the remaining share.

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 offal to Costa Rica

Imports in kind, t

Imported pig offal volumes in Costa Rica have declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country imported 141.6 tonnes of pig offal, which is 9.9% lower than the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 59.3%, equating to an annualized rate of 25.9%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Nicaragua concentrated 77.2% of total imports by volume, while the rest of the volume was shared by many countries with smaller individual shares.

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 pig offal imports were valued at 833 thousand US dollars, down by 8.3% from a year earlier. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 40%, equating to an annualized rate of 15.6%. The largest decline was recorded in 2018, falling by 37.3%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019, rising by 4.5%.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, Chile and Nicaragua together captured 99.0% of total imports in value terms, and the rest of the flows were spread thinly 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