Costa Rica: Sweet Potato Market 2024

Sweet Potato Market Size in Costa Rica

After three years of growth, the Costa Rican sweet potato market decreased by X% to $X in 2023. Over the period under review, consumption, however, recorded a resilient expansion. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs at $X in 2022, and then reduced in the following year.

Sweet Potato Production in Costa Rica

In value terms, sweet potato production rose remarkably to $X in 2023 estimated in export price. Overall, production enjoyed a remarkable increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of X%. Over the period under review, production attained the peak level at $X in 2021; however, from 2022 to 2023, production remained at a lower figure.

In 2023, the average yield of sweet potatoes in Costa Rica declined modestly to X tons per ha, remaining stable against the year before. Overall, the yield saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when the yield increased by X% against the previous year. The sweet potato yield peaked at X tons per ha in 2012; afterwards, it flattened through to 2023. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

The sweet potato harvested area in Costa Rica expanded to X ha in 2023, with an increase of X% on the year before. Over the period under review, the harvested area continues to indicate buoyant growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when the harvested area increased by X% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to sweet potato production attained the peak figure at X ha in 2021; however, from 2022 to 2023, the harvested area stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Sweet Potato Exports

Exports from Costa Rica

In 2023, sweet potato exports from Costa Rica reached X tons, growing by X% against the previous year's figure. In general, exports showed a buoyant expansion. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of X% against the previous year. The exports peaked at X tons in 2021; however, from 2022 to 2023, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, sweet potato exports rose significantly to $X in 2023. Overall, exports recorded a prominent expansion. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 when exports increased by X%. The exports peaked at $X in 2021; however, from 2022 to 2023, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Canada (X tons) was the main destination for sweet potato exports from Costa Rica, with a X% share of total exports. Moreover, sweet potato exports to Canada exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, France (X tons), fourfold. The third position in this ranking was taken by the United States (X tons), with an X% share.

From 2012 to 2023, the average annual growth rate of volume to Canada totaled X%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: France (X% per year) and the United States (X% per year).

In value terms, Canada ($X) remains the key foreign market for sweet potatoes exports from Costa Rica, comprising X% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by France ($X), with a X% share of total exports. It was followed by the United States, with a X% share.

From 2012 to 2023, the average annual growth rate of value to Canada stood at X%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: France (X% per year) and the United States (X% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2023, the average sweet potato export price amounted to $X per ton, growing by X% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, continues to indicate a pronounced downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when the average export price increased by X% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices reached the peak figure at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2023, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Nicaragua ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Guatemala ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Nicaragua (X%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced mixed trend patterns.

Sweet Potato Imports

Imports into Costa Rica

In 2023, the amount of sweet potatoes imported into Costa Rica shrank notably to X tons, declining by X% against the year before. In general, imports continue to indicate a drastic downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when imports increased by X%. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons. From 2017 to 2023, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, sweet potato imports shrank rapidly to $X in 2023. Over the period under review, imports recorded a abrupt shrinkage. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when imports increased by X%. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X. From 2017 to 2023, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

In 2023, Honduras (X tons) was the main supplier of sweet potato to Costa Rica, with a X% share of total imports. It was followed by the United States (X kg), with a X% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2023, the average annual growth rate of volume from Honduras amounted to X%.

In value terms, Honduras ($X) constituted the largest supplier of sweet potatoes to Costa Rica, comprising X% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by the United States ($X), with a X% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2023, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from Honduras stood at X%.

Import Prices by Country

In 2023, the average sweet potato import price amounted to $X per ton, surging by X% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, continues to indicate a slight contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when the average import price increased by X%. The import price peaked at $X per ton in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2023, import prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2023, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the United States ($X per ton), while the price for Honduras totaled $X per ton.

From 2012 to 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by France (X%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform