Sucrose in solid form market in Costa Rica

Earlier Report Observations

The sucrose market in Costa Rica operated under a consistent quality assessment system run by the country's twelve sugar mills, which tied cane payments to sucrose content and purity to encourage better raw material. This backdrop saw market volume remain around 222 thousand tons in 2018 before a slight dip to 218 thousand tons in 2019. In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic altered demand patterns, as advisory efforts on chemical use for sanitary purposes likely boosted industrial and sanitary applications of sucrose, contributing to a market expansion to 232 thousand tons.

After the pandemic-induced peak, the market corrected to 220 thousand tons in 2021. A recovery followed in 2022 and 2023, with the market reaching 228 thousand tons by the end of the period, as the sector continued without major regulatory shifts under the established quality incentive framework.

Production sucrose in solid form in Costa Rica

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of sucrose in solid form, 2017-2020

World map of production of sucrose in solid form, 2017-2020

After two years of decline, Costa Rica's production of solid sucrose increased. In 2020, the country produced 240.6 K t of solid sucrose, marking a significant 10.1% rise from the previous year. Production grew by 6.3% between 2017 and 2020, averaging an annual increase of 2.0%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 218.5 K t, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 with a 3.0% drop.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following two years of reduction, Costa Rica's production of solid sucrose in value terms increased. In 2020, the output was valued at 140.9 M $ US, showing a 3.0% increase compared to 2019. However, over the 2017-2020 period, production value decreased by 7.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of -2.6%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 136.8 M $ US, and the largest decline occurred in 2018 with an 8.6% decrease.

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

Exports sucrose in solid form from Costa Rica

Exports in kind, t

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the period. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 8 697 t, while the highest was in 2020 at 24 943 t, representing a 2.9-fold difference. In 2020, Costa Rica's exports of solid sucrose reached 24 943 t, reflecting a sharp 95.5% increase from the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2018 with a 16.4% drop.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States (35.5% of exports in kind), the Bahamas (27.7%), and the Netherlands (18.1%) remained the top buyers of solid sucrose from Costa Rica. Together, these three countries accounted for 81.3% 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

Market behavior was characterized by volatility during these years. Export values varied 2.6 times from the low in 2018 to the high in 2020. In 2020, Costa Rica exported 14 612 K $ US worth of solid sucrose, which was 82.9% higher than the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 5 517 K $ US, and the largest decline occurred that same year with a 21.2% decrease.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United States (36.9% of exports in value terms), the Bahamas (27.1%), and the Netherlands (19.0%) led the ranking of buyers for Costa Rica's solid sucrose. Their combined share reached 83.1% of total exports in value terms.

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 sucrose in solid form to Costa Rica

Imports in kind, t

Costa Rica's imports of solid sucrose increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 15 967 t, reflecting a 29.8% gain compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 91.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 24.1%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Brazil and Canada clearly dominated Costa Rica's imports of solid sucrose in kind, jointly accounting for 97.5% of total flows. Other countries held much smaller 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 imports of solid sucrose were valued at 7 063 K $ US, indicating a solid 14.2% increase year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 21.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.8%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 with a 3.8% decrease.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Brazil and Canada were the dominant sources for Costa Rica's imports of solid sucrose in value terms, jointly accounting for 96.4% of total flows. The remaining volume was distributed among smaller 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