Costa Rica: Cassava Market 2025

Cassava Market Size in Costa Rica

In 2022, the Costa Rican cassava market increased by 19% to $X, rising for the fourth consecutive year after two years of decline. Overall, consumption saw a perceptible expansion. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X. From 2015 to 2022, the growth of the market remained at a lower figure.

Cassava Production in Costa Rica

In value terms, cassava production rose modestly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 when the production volume increased by 30%. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In 2022, the average yield of cassava in Costa Rica rose remarkably to X tons per ha, surging by 10% against 2021. In general, the yield indicated a buoyant increase from 2012 to 2022: its figure increased at an average annual rate of +6.9% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, cassava yield increased by +95.2% against 2012 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the yield increased by 34% against the previous year. The cassava yield peaked in 2022 and is likely to see steady growth in years to come. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

The cassava harvested area in Costa Rica dropped modestly to X ha in 2022, reducing by -3.3% on the previous year. Over the period under review, the harvested area saw a mild contraction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 when the harvested area increased by 13% against the previous year. The cassava harvested area peaked at X ha in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the harvested area failed to regain momentum.

Cassava Exports

Exports from Costa Rica

After two years of growth, shipments abroad of cassava decreased by -2.2% to X tons in 2022. Overall, total exports indicated a noticeable increase from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +4.5% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, exports increased by +57.4% against 2013 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 24%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure at X tons in 2021, and then dropped in the following year.

In value terms, cassava exports declined slightly to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports, however, recorded a strong increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 with an increase of 40% against the previous year. The exports peaked at $X in 2021, and then contracted in the following year.

Exports by Country

The United States (X tons) was the main destination for cassava exports from Costa Rica, with a 72% share of total exports. Moreover, cassava exports to the United States exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, the Netherlands (X tons), eightfold. Spain (X tons) ranked third in terms of total exports with a 5.5% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to the United States stood at +5.3%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: the Netherlands (+6.0% per year) and Spain (+1.0% per year).

In value terms, the United States ($X) remains the key foreign market for cassava exports from Costa Rica, comprising 72% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by the Netherlands ($X), with a 10% share of total exports. It was followed by Spain, with a 6.2% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to the United States stood at +10.0%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: the Netherlands (+10.7% per year) and Spain (+7.5% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average cassava export price stood at $X per ton in 2022, leveling off at the previous year. In general, export price indicated perceptible growth from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +4.3% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, cassava export price increased by +51.0% against 2018 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 an increase of 32% against the previous year. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2021, and then shrank modestly in the following year.

Average prices varied somewhat for the major foreign markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the highest price was recorded for prices to Spain ($X per ton) and the Netherlands ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Belgium ($X per ton) and Canada ($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 Spain (+6.5%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Cassava Imports

Imports into Costa Rica

In 2022, supplies from abroad of cassava was finally on the rise to reach X tons after two years of decline. In general, imports saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when imports increased by 699% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons. From 2014 to 2022, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, cassava imports surged to $X in 2022. Overall, imports recorded a strong expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 582%. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at $X in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

Nicaragua (X tons) and the United States (X tons) were the main suppliers of cassava imports to Costa Rica.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by the United States (with a CAGR of +4.0%).

In value terms, the largest cassava suppliers to Costa Rica were the United States ($X) and Nicaragua ($X).

In terms of the main suppliers, the United States, with a CAGR of -5.7%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, over the period under review.

Import Prices by Country

The average cassava import price stood at $X per ton in 2022, with a decrease of -9.5% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, saw strong growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when the average import price increased by 143% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices attained the maximum at $X per ton in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, import prices remained at a lower figure.

Average prices varied somewhat 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 Nicaragua stood at $X per ton.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Nicaragua (-2.2%).

Source: IndexBox Platform