Costa Rica: Stationery Market 2025

Stationery Market Size in Costa Rica

In 2022, the Costa Rican stationery market increased by 9.9% to $X for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year declining trend. Overall, consumption, however, saw a deep contraction. Stationery consumption peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Stationery Production in Costa Rica

In value terms, stationery production shrank to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production saw a abrupt decline. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 when the production volume increased by 507%. Stationery production peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Stationery Exports

Exports from Costa Rica

In 2022, the amount of articles of stationery exported from Costa Rica contracted to X tons, falling by -13.8% on the year before. Overall, exports saw a pronounced decrease. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 38% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum at X tons in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, stationery exports declined dramatically to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports continue to indicate a pronounced decline. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when exports increased by 56% against the previous year. The exports peaked at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Nicaragua (X tons) was the main destination for stationery exports from Costa Rica, with a 33% share of total exports. Moreover, stationery exports to Nicaragua exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Guatemala (X tons), twofold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Honduras (X tons), with a 14% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to Nicaragua was relatively modest. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Guatemala (-1.3% per year) and Honduras (+4.9% per year).

In value terms, the largest markets for stationery exported from Costa Rica were Nicaragua ($X), Guatemala ($X) and Honduras ($X), together comprising 60% of total exports. El Salvador, Panama, Mexico and the Dominican Republic lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 34%.

Among the main countries of destination, Mexico, with a CAGR of +16.8%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the average stationery export price amounted to $X per ton, falling by -4.8% against the previous year. In general, the export price saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 an increase of 13% against the previous year. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $X per ton, and then contracted modestly in the following year.

Average prices varied somewhat for the major export markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the highest price was recorded for prices to the Dominican Republic ($X per ton) and Panama ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Mexico ($X per ton) and Nicaragua ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to the Dominican Republic (+2.2%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Stationery Imports

Imports into Costa Rica

After two years of decline, supplies from abroad of articles of stationery increased by 38% to X tons in 2022. Over the period under review, imports, however, showed a noticeable contraction. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at X tons in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, stationery imports skyrocketed to $X in 2022. In general, imports, however, saw a perceptible contraction. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 when imports increased by 32%. Imports peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

China (X tons), India (X tons) and Guatemala (X tons) were the main suppliers of stationery imports to Costa Rica, with a combined 63% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by Guatemala (with a CAGR of +12.0%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, China ($X), India ($X) and Guatemala ($X) appeared to be the largest stationery suppliers to Costa Rica, together comprising 51% of total imports. Colombia, Mexico, El Salvador, the United States, Brazil, Honduras and Panama lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 39%.

In terms of the main suppliers, El Salvador, with a CAGR of +4.9%, 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

The average stationery import price stood at $X per ton in 2022, which is down by -11.6% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 an increase of 22%. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $X per ton, and then reduced in the following year.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the United States ($X per ton), while the price for India ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by El Salvador (+3.8%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform