Wheat and meslin flour and cereals market in Costa Rica

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the market for wheat and meslin flour and cereals in Costa Rica expanded significantly. Volume jumped from 169 thousand tons in 2018 to 219 thousand tons in 2019. In 2020, growth continued to 226 thousand tons, as the COVID-19 pandemic affected supply chains and fueled consumer demand for staple foods, while existing health and fortification regulations remained unchanged.

The market then contracted for two consecutive years. Volume fell to 194 thousand tons in 2021 and further to 187 thousand tons in 2022. This decline was driven by sharp increases in international wheat prices due to the Russia-Ukraine war, droughts in the United States, and global inflation. Major player Molinos de Costa Rica raised flour prices by 10% in 2022, and changing consumer behavior in response to high prices reduced overall consumption.

A partial recovery occurred in 2023, with market volume rising to 200 thousand tons. For 2024, industry reports indicate a continued focus on adaptation to external challenges, including higher costs for imported inputs and a slowdown in manufacturing activity, though full-year volume data is not yet available.

Production wheat and meslin flour and cereals in Costa Rica

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of wheat and meslin flour and cereals, 2017-2020

World map of production of wheat and meslin flour and cereals, 2017-2020

Wheat and meslin flour and cereals production in Costa Rica increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 226.8 thousand tons, marking a 3.0% rise compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 31.4%, which translates to an average annual increase of 9.5%. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with a minimal change of 0.0%, while the most significant growth was recorded in 2019 at 27.5%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Costa Rica's wheat and meslin flour and cereals production value also rose for the second year in a row. In 2020, the output was valued at 83,595 thousand US dollars, reflecting a 1.5% increase from the previous year. The lowest value was observed in 2018 at 68,892 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 17.4%. Conversely, the most substantial increase happened in 2019, with a 19.5% jump.

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

Exports wheat and meslin flour and cereals from Costa Rica

Exports in kind, t

Wheat and meslin flour and cereals exports from Costa Rica declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, shipments totaled 9,730 tons, down 6.6% year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 52%, averaging an annual decrease of 21.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, nearly all wheat and meslin flour and cereals exports from Costa Rica went to Nicaragua, which accounted for 92.9% of the total volume.

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

Wheat and meslin flour and cereals exports from Costa Rica in value terms also dropped for the third straight year. In 2020, exports amounted to 3,586 thousand US dollars, a 7.9% decrease compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports declined by 63.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of -28.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Nicaragua and Panama were the main buyers of wheat and meslin flour and cereals from Costa Rica in value terms, together representing 99.1% 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 wheat and meslin flour and cereals to Costa Rica

Imports in kind, t

Wheat and meslin flour and cereals imports into Costa Rica decreased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports registered 8,388 tons, a significant 11.5% drop year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports fell by 19.3%, equating to an average annual decline of 6.9%. The highest volume was recorded in 2018 at 10,588 tons, which also saw the largest increase of 1.9%.

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

During 2017-2020, Nicaragua dominated wheat and meslin flour and cereals imports into Costa Rica in volume, taking 72.4% of the total, with a diverse mix of other markets making up the remainder.

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

Costa Rica's wheat and meslin flour and cereals import value declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports amounted to 4,630 thousand US dollars, down 9.7% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 37%, with a compound annual growth rate of -14.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Nicaragua led the import structure in value terms with 67.4%, followed by Turkey at 10.4% and Argentina at 5.5%. Together, these three countries accounted for 83.2% of total imports.

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

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