Costa Rica: Vegetable Market 2024

Vegetable Market Size in Costa Rica

In 2023, the Costa Rican vegetable market decreased by X% to $X for the first time since 2019, thus ending a three-year rising trend. Over the period under review, consumption, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. From 2015 to 2023, the growth of the market failed to regain momentum.

Vegetable Production in Costa Rica

In value terms, vegetable production totaled $X in 2023 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 with an increase of X% against the previous year. Vegetable production peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2023, production remained at a lower figure.

In 2023, the average yield of vegetables in Costa Rica expanded remarkably to X tons per ha, growing by X% on the previous year. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of X% from 2012 to 2023; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when the yield increased by X% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average vegetable yield attained the maximum level at X tons per ha in 2021; however, from 2022 to 2023, the yield failed to regain momentum. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

The vegetable harvested area in Costa Rica reduced to X ha in 2023, declining by X% on 2022 figures. Over the period under review, the harvested area recorded a perceptible curtailment. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2022 with an increase of X% against the previous year. The vegetable harvested area peaked at X ha in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2023, the harvested area stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Vegetable Exports

Exports from Costa Rica

In 2023, the amount of vegetables exported from Costa Rica expanded sharply to X tons, picking up by X% compared with 2022 figures. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of X% over the period from 2012 to 2023; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when exports increased by X%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X tons. From 2019 to 2023, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, vegetable exports amounted to $X in 2023. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of X% over the period from 2012 to 2023; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 when exports increased by X%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $X in 2021; however, from 2022 to 2023, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

The United States (X tons) was the main destination for vegetable exports from Costa Rica, accounting for a X% share of total exports. Moreover, vegetable exports to the United States exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, the Netherlands (X tons), sixfold. Spain (X tons) ranked third in terms of total exports with a X% share.

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

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

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

Export Prices by Country

In 2023, the average vegetable export price amounted to $X per ton, falling by X% against the previous year. Over the last eleven years, it increased at an average annual rate of X%. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 when the average export price increased by X%. Over the period under review, the average export prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2022, and then fell in the following year.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major export markets. In 2023, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the Netherlands ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Trinidad and Tobago ($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 the Netherlands (X%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Vegetable Imports

Imports into Costa Rica

After two years of decline, supplies from abroad of vegetables increased by X% to X tons in 2023. Over the period under review, imports recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when imports increased by X% against the previous year. Imports peaked at X tons in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2023, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, vegetable imports declined to $X in 2023. In general, total imports indicated a moderate increase from 2012 to 2023: its value increased at an average annual rate of X% over the last eleven-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2023 figures, imports increased by X% against 2019 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when imports increased by X%. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X. From 2018 to 2023, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

Nicaragua (X tons), the United States (X tons) and China (X tons) were the main suppliers of vegetable imports to Costa Rica, with a combined X% share of total imports. Argentina, Canada, Mexico, Bolivia and Guatemala lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further X%.

From 2012 to 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by Bolivia (with a CAGR of X%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest vegetable suppliers to Costa Rica were Nicaragua ($X), the United States ($X) and China ($X), together accounting for X% of total imports. Argentina, Mexico, Canada, Bolivia and Guatemala lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further X%.

In terms of the main suppliers, Bolivia, with a CAGR of X%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

In 2023, the average vegetable import price amounted to $X per ton, shrinking by X% against the previous year. Over the last eleven years, it increased at an average annual rate of X%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 an increase of X%. Over the period under review, average import prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2022, and then fell in the following year.

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 Bolivia ($X per ton), while the price for Canada ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

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

Source: IndexBox Platform