Prepared or preserved groundnuts market in Costa Rica

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for prepared or preserved groundnuts in Costa Rica fluctuated between 2018 and 2023, starting at 735 t in 2018 and reaching a peak of 919 t in 2021 before declining to 683 t by 2023. The most notable drop occurred in 2020, followed by a sharp recovery the next year.

In value terms, the market demonstrated more consistent growth, rising from 2.4 million USD in 2018 to 3.6 million USD in 2023. This increase in market value occurred despite volume volatility, suggesting a shift toward higher-value products or price adjustments over the period.

By 2024, the market operated under updated regulatory frameworks, including strict aflatoxin limits and front-of-pack labeling rules designed to ensure product safety and meet consumer demand for transparency. Local production remained active with players like La Fábrica del Maní in Orotina.

Production prepared or preserved groundnuts in Costa Rica

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of prepared or preserved groundnuts, 2017-2020

World map of production of prepared or preserved groundnuts, 2017-2020

Costa Rica's production of prepared or preserved groundnuts has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 390.9 tonnes, a slight decrease of 1.6% from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 5.2%, averaging an annual increase of 1.7%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 470.5 tonnes, which saw a significant rise of 26.6%. However, the following year, 2019, experienced the largest decline of 15.5%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

The value of prepared or preserved groundnuts production in Costa Rica has also fallen for two consecutive years. In 2020, output was valued at 1 140 thousand US dollars, a gradual decrease of 4.4% year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, production value dropped by 9.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of -3.3%. The peak value occurred in 2018 at 1 539 thousand US dollars, marking a 22.0% increase. The sharpest decline was in 2019, with a drop of 22.6%.

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

Exports prepared or preserved groundnuts from Costa Rica

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Costa Rica exported 1 130 tonnes of prepared or preserved groundnuts, showing a slight gain of 2.2% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 5.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.9%. The largest increase was recorded in 2018 at 5.7%, while the largest decline occurred in 2019, with a decrease of 2.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Nicaragua, Panama, and Guatemala were the main buyers of prepared or preserved groundnuts from Costa Rica in terms of volume. Nicaragua accounted for 33.4% of exports, Panama for 28.3%, and Guatemala for 21.2%. Together, these three countries represented 83.0% of total exports in kind.

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 value of prepared or preserved groundnuts exports from Costa Rica has declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports stood at 3 293 thousand US dollars, a small decrease of 0.6% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value fell by 9%, with a compound annual growth rate of -3.1%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 3 689 thousand US dollars, which saw a modest increase of 1.9%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 10.1%.

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

In value terms, from 2017 to 2020, Panama, Nicaragua, and Guatemala were the largest buyers of prepared or preserved groundnuts from Costa Rica. Panama accounted for 32.8% of exports, Nicaragua for 25.2%, and Guatemala for 23.6%. Collectively, these three countries made up 81.5% of total exports in value.

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 prepared or preserved groundnuts to Costa Rica

Imports in kind, t

Costa Rica imported a total of value_last_year tonnes of prepared or preserved groundnuts in 2020, down by 10.2% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 15.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of -5.4%. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 12.9%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019, with a rise of 8.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States dominated Costa Rica's imports of prepared or preserved groundnuts in kind, accounting for 73.0% of total flows. The remaining share was distributed among various smaller destinations.

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 imported approximately 4 568 thousand US dollars worth of prepared or preserved groundnuts, indicating a controlled drop of 3.1% compared to 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 4 562 thousand US dollars, while the maximum value occurred in 2019 at 4 713 thousand US dollars. The largest increase was in 2019, with a rise of 3.3%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the United States concentrated 72.4% of Costa Rica's total imports of prepared or preserved groundnuts in value terms. The rest of the imports were shared among many countries, each with smaller individual shares.

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

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