Costa Rica: Cotton Lint Market 2025

Cotton Lint Market Size in Costa Rica

The Costa Rican cotton lint market shrank modestly to $X in 2022, which is down by -2.5% against the previous year. In general, consumption continues to indicate a significant expansion. Cotton lint consumption peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Cotton Lint Production in Costa Rica

In value terms, cotton lint production fell to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, recorded a slight decline. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 when the production volume increased by 58% against the previous year. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2014 to 2022, production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

The average yield of cotton lint in Costa Rica soared to X kg per ha in 2022, with an increase of 18% against 2021. In general, the yield, however, recorded a mild downturn. The cotton lint yield peaked at X tons per ha in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, the yield remained at a lower figure. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

The cotton lint harvested area in Costa Rica reduced slightly to X ha in 2022, stabilizing at the previous year. In general, the harvested area, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 when the harvested area increased by 3.3%. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to cotton lint production reached the maximum at X ha in 2021, and then reduced modestly in the following year.

Cotton Lint Exports

Exports from Costa Rica

In 2022, cotton lint exports from Costa Rica skyrocketed to X tons, picking up by 36% on 2021. Over the period under review, exports, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 with an increase of 310%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X tons. From 2021 to 2022, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, cotton lint exports soared to $X in 2022. Overall, exports, however, continue to indicate a perceptible shrinkage. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 when exports increased by 254% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

South Korea (X tons), Turkey (X tons) and China (X tons) were the main destinations of cotton lint exports from Costa Rica, together accounting for 98% of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for South Korea (with a CAGR of +19.1%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced mixed trend patterns.

In value terms, the largest markets for cotton lint exported from Costa Rica were Turkey ($X), South Korea ($X) and China ($X), with a combined 90% share of total exports.

In terms of the main countries of destination, South Korea, with a CAGR of +16.3%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced mixed trend patterns.

Export Prices by Country

The average cotton lint export price stood at $X per ton in 2022, growing by 7.9% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, recorded a noticeable reduction. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 an increase of 41% against the previous year. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2015 to 2022, the average export prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Malaysia (+53.7%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Cotton Lint Imports

Imports into Costa Rica

In 2022, purchases abroad of cotton lint was finally on the rise to reach X tons after four years of decline. In general, imports showed a significant increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 with an increase of 6,349% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure at X tons in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, cotton lint imports dropped to $X in 2022. Overall, imports saw significant growth. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 with an increase of 5,369%. Imports peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2022, the United States (X tons) was the main supplier of cotton lint to Costa Rica, accounting for a approx. 100% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume from the United States stood at +72.2%.

In value terms, the United States ($X) constituted the largest supplier of cotton lint to Costa Rica.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from the United States stood at +64.2%.

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the average cotton lint import price amounted to $X per ton, with a decrease of -11.6% against the previous year. In general, the import price showed a perceptible descent. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the average import price increased by 27%. Over the period under review, average import prices reached the peak figure at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, import prices remained at a lower figure.

As there is only one major supplying country, the average price level is determined by prices for the United States.

From 2012 to 2022, the rate of growth in terms of prices for the United States amounted to -4.6% per year.

Source: IndexBox Platform