Wheat bran, sharps and residues market in Costa Rica

Earlier Report Observations

The market for wheat bran, sharps and residues in Costa Rica grew from 52,113 tons in 2018 to 67,035 tons in 2019, then remained stable at approximately 67,000 tons in 2020. This early expansion phase was not accompanied by specific, documented market drivers in the available sources.

A contraction occurred from 2021 to 2022, with the market volume falling to 59,790 tons and then 56,846 tons. During these years, the regulatory landscape began to evolve with the implementation of Extended Producer Responsibility and a national focus on increasing solid waste valorization. Furthermore, the advancement of the National Policy for Comprehensive Waste Management 2023-2033 and projects to generate electricity from agro-industrial biomass promoted the circular economy, setting a long-term direction for the utilization of by-products like wheat bran.

In 2023, the market recovered to 62,528 tons. This rebound coincided with a significant innovation: Grupo Nutresa, through its Tribío venture, successfully developed and tested industrial-grade biocomposites and edible utensils from wheat bran. This created a novel, sustainable application that stimulated new demand within the local market.

Production wheat bran, sharps and residues in Costa Rica

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of wheat bran, sharps and residues, 2017-2020

World map of production of wheat bran, sharps and residues, 2017-2020

Costa Rica's production of wheat bran, sharps, and residues has increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 66 528 tonnes, which is 3.0% higher than the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 31.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 9.5%. The most significant decline occurred in 2018, at 0.0%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2019, at 27.5%.

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

Exports wheat bran, sharps and residues from Costa Rica

Exports in kind, t

Costa Rica's exports of wheat bran, sharps, and residues have risen for the second consecutive year. In 2020, export volume reached 172 tonnes, representing a dramatic increase of 120 885.9% compared to 2019. Between 2018 and 2020, exports surged by 228 966.7%, translating to an annualized growth rate of 1 218.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Guatemala accounted for nearly all of Costa Rica's exports of wheat bran, sharps, and residues in volume terms, holding a 99.9% share of total flows.

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 foreign supplies of wheat bran, sharps, and residues in value terms have increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, export value reached 54.7 thousand US dollars, marking a sharp rise of 25 306.9% year-over-year. Over the period from 2018 to 2020, exports grew by 31 173.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 578.8%.

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

During 2017–2020, exports of wheat bran, sharps, and residues from Costa Rica in value terms were almost entirely concentrated in Guatemala, which accounted for 99.3% of the total.

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 bran, sharps and residues to Costa Rica

Imports in kind, t

The market displayed volatility over the observed period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2020, after peaking in 2019, with a 4.1-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Costa Rica's imports of wheat bran, sharps, and residues amounted to 602 tonnes, corresponding to a 75.3% decline compared to the previous year. The maximum volume was recorded in 2019 at 2 442 tonnes, with the largest increase occurring that same year at 67.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, imports of wheat bran, sharps, and residues to Costa Rica in volume terms were almost completely tied to Nicaragua, which held a 99.4% share of total flows.

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 bottomed in 2020, following a peak in 2019, with a 3.5-fold difference between these years. In 2020, deliveries of wheat bran, sharps, and residues to Costa Rica amounted to 151.1 thousand US dollars, marking a 71.5% decline compared to 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 529.6 thousand US dollars, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 96.3%.

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

In 2017–2020, Nicaragua clearly dominated as the supplier of wheat bran, sharps, and residues to Costa Rica in value terms, accounting for 97.0% 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