Pork market in Costa Rica

Earlier Report Observations

The Costa Rican pork market volume showed overall growth from 74 202 t in 2018 to 84 954 t in 2023, despite a temporary dip in 2020. This expansion was primarily driven by growing domestic demand, supported early on by stable international prices for key inputs like soy and corn, which helped keep production costs favorable for local producers.

From 2021 onward, increased health consciousness and faster lifestyles among consumers boosted demand for protein-rich and frozen meat products, lifting per capita consumption to 18.06 kg by 2023. Despite a sharp drop in exports in 2023 due to trade barriers in neighboring markets, the market continued to grow as robust local consumption absorbed the available supply.

In early 2024, the sector maintained stability and growth, characterized by a favorable price-cost ratio for producers and a significant 98.3% rise in imports, indicating sustained strong domestic demand and efficient market conditions.

Production pork in Costa Rica

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of pork, 2017-2020

World map of production of pork, 2017-2020

Costa Rica's pork production has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 67 607 tons of pork, representing a modest 3.9% increase from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 11.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.7%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Pork production in Costa Rica has declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the value of pork output reached 184.1 million US dollars, down 15.1% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production value fell by 26.9%, which translates to an annualized decrease of 9.9%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 263.3 million US dollars. The most significant drop occurred in 2019 with a 17.6% decline, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 4.6%.

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

Exports pork from Costa Rica

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited considerable volatility during these years. Exports reached their highest point in 2020 and hit their lowest in 2018, with a 36-fold difference between the two. In 2020, pork shipments from Costa Rica totaled 2 238 tons, surging by 522.2% from the previous year. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 63 tons, with the steepest decline that year at 43.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China was the dominant destination for Costa Rica's pork exports in volume terms, accounting for 74.6% of total shipments. The remaining exports were distributed among various other trading partners.

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 showed significant volatility throughout this period. Exports fluctuated dramatically, with a 23-fold difference between the peak in 2020 and the trough in 2018. In 2020, the value of Costa Rica's pork exports amounted to 6 095 thousand US dollars, jumping 408.3% compared to 2019. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 261 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline that year at 43.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, China remained the top buyer of Costa Rican pork in value terms, representing 71.3% of total exports. The rest was spread across numerous other countries.

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 pork to Costa Rica

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, pork imports into Costa Rica amounted to 9 024 tons, marking a sharp 27.3% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 31%, with an average annual decline of 11.6%. The most notable increase occurred in 2019, rising by 14.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States and Chile were the primary sources of pork imports into Costa Rica in volume terms. The United States accounted for 50.2% of total imports, while Chile made up 42.9%, together representing 93.1% of all imports. Other partners supplied the remaining volume.

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, the value of pork imports into Costa Rica stood at 24 512 thousand US dollars, reflecting a significant 26.8% drop from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, import value decreased by 35.9%, with an average annual decline of 13.8%. The largest increase was recorded in 2019, rising by 14.1%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, the United States and Chile played leading roles in Costa Rica's pork imports by value. Together, they accounted for 93.9% of total import value, with the remainder distributed among other destinations.

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

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