Poultry meat and offal market in Costa Rica

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the poultry meat market in Costa Rica showed mixed dynamics. The market volume grew from 282.5 thousand tons in 2018 to 302.1 thousand tons in 2019, supported by increasing consumer demand for protein products. In 2020, the volume dipped to 290.4 thousand tons, while the market value rose to $483.6 million, reflecting shifts in pricing and consumption.

The market expanded to 307.7 thousand tons in 2021, a period marked by the implementation of new food safety regulations (Decreto GACC N° 249-2021) governing production and labeling for meat products. Growth continued into 2022, reaching 321.3 thousand tons, driven by a growing consumer preference for convenient, ready-to-eat and frozen meat products. By 2023, increased domestic poultry production and heightened demand from the tourism sector for fresh meat contributed to a stable market volume of 319.9 thousand tons, with the market value rising sharply to $724.3 million.

Production poultry meat and offal in Costa Rica

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of poultry meat and offal, 2017-2020

World map of production of poultry meat and offal, 2017-2020

Costa Rica's poultry meat and offal production saw a decline after two years of growth. In 2019, production reached its peak at 290.0 K t, but by 2020 it had fallen to 275.0 K t, marking a 5.2% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production increased by 3.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.1%. The most significant increase occurred in 2019, when production rose by 7.0%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following two years of decline, Costa Rica's poultry meat and offal production value rebounded. In 2019, the value hit its lowest point at 393.9 M $ US, but in 2020 it surged to 463.4 M $ US, representing a robust 17.7% increase from the prior year. From 2017 to 2020, overall production value decreased by 7.6%, translating to an average annual decline of 2.6%. The largest drop was recorded in 2018, when the value fell by 12.9%.

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

Exports poultry meat and offal from Costa Rica

Exports in kind, t

Costa Rica's exports of poultry meat and offal in volume terms showed significant fluctuations. In 2018, exports peaked at 870 t, but dropped sharply to 499 t in 2019, a decline of 42.6%. By 2020, exports recovered to 789 t, marking a 58.0% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 32.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 9.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Nicaragua and Honduras were the dominant destinations for Costa Rica's poultry meat and offal exports in volume terms, jointly accounting for 92.2% of total flows. Other countries held much smaller shares during this period.

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 exports of poultry meat and offal in value terms exhibited an unstable trend. In 2018, exports reached their highest point at 1 401 K $ US, but fell to a low of 678 K $ US in 2019, a decline of 51.6%. By 2020, exports rebounded to 1 329 K $ US, showing a dramatic 96.1% increase from the previous year. The gap between the peak in 2018 and the trough in 2019 was 2.1-fold.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Nicaragua and Honduras were the primary destinations for Costa Rica's poultry meat and offal exports in value terms, jointly accounting for 96.2% of total flows. The remaining volume was distributed among smaller markets.

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 poultry meat and offal to Costa Rica

Imports in kind, t

Costa Rica's imports of poultry meat and offal in volume terms increased for the second consecutive year. In 2018, imports were at their lowest at 12 364 t, declining by 13.0% from the previous year. By 2020, imports had risen to 16 163 t, indicating a 27.9% uptick compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 13.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.4%.

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 dominant suppliers of poultry meat and offal to Costa Rica in volume terms, jointly accounting for 99.9% of total imports.

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 decline, Costa Rica's imports of poultry meat and offal in value terms increased. In 2019, imports were at their lowest at 19 858 K $ US, but by 2020 they had risen to 21 470 K $ US, up by 8.1% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 11.8%, with an average annual decline of 4.1%. The largest drop occurred in 2018, when imports fell by 15.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United States was the key and almost sole market for Costa Rica's poultry meat and offal imports in value terms, accounting for 94.4% 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