Tomato market in Costa Rica

Earlier Report Observations

Tomato production and market volume in Costa Rica dropped in 2019 to 45 599 tons from 55 342 tons the previous year. The market then recovered steadily, reaching 58 071 tons by 2023. In value terms, the market followed a similar pattern, falling to $59.2 million in 2019 before climbing to $92.9 million in 2023.

From 2022, market volume stabilized around 58 000 tons, while value continued to rise. This period saw a growing shift toward greenhouse or plastic tunnel production to supply the local market, alongside ongoing agronomic improvements aimed at enhancing quality and yield. These developments supported higher-value output, contributing to the increase in market value despite stable physical volumes.

Production tomato in Costa Rica

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of tomato, 2017-2020

World map of production of tomato, 2017-2020

After a two-year decline, tomato production in Costa Rica increased in 2020. That year, the country produced 52 703 tonnes of tomatoes, marking a significant 15.7% rise compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, overall production decreased by 7.9%, with an average annual decline of 2.7%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 45 564 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 17.6%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Following a two-year downturn, Costa Rica's tomato production value increased in 2020. The output was valued at 62 199 thousand US dollars, representing a 5.2% gain over 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production value fell by 19.9%, equivalent to an average annual decrease of 7.1%. The minimum value occurred in 2019 at 59 142 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 15.0%.

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

Exports tomato from Costa Rica

Exports in kind, t

After a two-year decrease, Costa Rica's tomato export volume increased in 2020. Exports reached 62.6 tonnes, showing a sharp 25.3% improvement from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports declined by 81.5%, with an average annual drop of 43.0%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 50.0 tonnes, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 at 63.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France remained the primary destination for Costa Rican tomato exports in volume terms, accounting for 89.8% of total exports. Other destinations played a much smaller role 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

After a two-year decline, Costa Rica's tomato export value increased in 2020. The country exported 73.9 thousand US dollars worth of tomatoes, reflecting a 13.9% gain over the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value decreased by 83.9%, with an average annual decline of 45.6%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 64.9 thousand US dollars, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 at 66.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Costa Rica's tomato export value was highly concentrated on France, which accounted for 91.9% of total exports.

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 tomato to Costa Rica

Imports in kind, t

Costa Rica's tomato imports declined for the second consecutive year in 2020. Imports reached 78.4 tonnes, showing a modest 7.4% decrease compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 30.7%, with an average annual decline of 11.5%. The highest volume was recorded in 2018 at 158.1 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 39.6%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 46.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Costa Rica's tomato imports in volume terms were largely concentrated on Mexico, which accounted for 84.5% of total imports. Other countries together formed the remaining share.

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

The market showed signs of volatility during the observed period. Imports peaked in 2018 at 180.7 thousand US dollars and reached their lowest point in 2019, with a 1.7-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Costa Rica imported 111.4 thousand US dollars worth of tomatoes, marking a moderate 4.8% drop from the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 35.2%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018 at 70.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Mexico was the key supplier of tomatoes to Costa Rica, accounting for 87.8% of total import value. A diversified group of other countries accounted for the remainder.

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

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