Costa Rica: Cucumber And Gherkin Market 2024

Cucumber And Gherkin Market Size in Costa Rica

The Costa Rican cucumber and gherkin market rose slightly to $X in 2022, growing by 1.9% against the previous year. Overall, the total consumption indicated resilient growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +8.6% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, consumption increased by +24.6% against 2019 indices. Over the period under review, the market reached the maximum level at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Cucumber And Gherkin Production in Costa Rica

In value terms, cucumber and gherkin production totaled $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production showed a prominent expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when the production volume increased by 163%. Cucumber and gherkin production peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In 2022, the average yield of cucumbers and gherkins in Costa Rica stood at X tons per ha, approximately reflecting 2021 figures. Overall, the yield saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 0.6% against the previous year. As a result, the yield reached the peak level of X tons per ha; afterwards, it flattened through to 2022. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

In 2022, the total area harvested in terms of cucumbers and gherkins production in Costa Rica was estimated at X ha, approximately mirroring 2021. The harvested area increased at an average annual rate of +4.8% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when the harvested area increased by 51% against the previous year. The cucumber and gherkin harvested area peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Cucumber And Gherkin Exports

Exports from Costa Rica

In 2022, shipments abroad of cucumbers and gherkins was finally on the rise to reach X tons for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year declining trend. In general, exports, however, faced a sharp contraction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 when exports increased by 3,803% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X tons. From 2020 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, cucumber and gherkin exports surged to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports, however, continue to indicate a precipitous decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when exports increased by 1,609%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X. From 2020 to 2022, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Honduras (X tons), Guatemala (X tons) and Canada (X tons) were the main destinations of cucumber and gherkin exports from Costa Rica, with a combined 49% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Guatemala (with a CAGR of +63.5%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Canada ($X), Qatar ($X) and the United States ($X) were the largest markets for cucumber and gherkin exported from Costa Rica worldwide, with a combined 64% share of total exports. Honduras, Guatemala, Panama, the Netherlands and Austria lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 29%.

Among the main countries of destination, Guatemala, with a CAGR of +60.0%, saw 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 cucumber and gherkin export price stood at $X per ton in 2022, surging by 5.2% against the previous year. In general, the export price saw a slight expansion. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 when the average export price increased by 73%. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major overseas markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Qatar ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to the Netherlands ($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 the United States (+7.4%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced mixed trend patterns.

Cucumber And Gherkin Imports

Imports into Costa Rica

In 2022, after two years of decline, there was significant growth in purchases abroad of cucumbers and gherkins, when their volume increased by 158% to X tons. Overall, imports showed a resilient expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when imports increased by 323%. Imports peaked at X tons in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, cucumber and gherkin imports skyrocketed to $X in 2022. In general, imports continue to indicate a resilient expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 329% against the previous year. Imports peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Mexico (X tons) constituted the largest cucumber and gherkin supplier to Costa Rica, with a 75% share of total imports. Moreover, cucumber and gherkin imports from Mexico exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Nicaragua (X tons), more than tenfold. Honduras (X tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with a 2.6% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from Mexico amounted to +26.8%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Nicaragua (+9.1% per year) and Honduras (-16.8% per year).

In value terms, Mexico ($X) constituted the largest supplier of cucumbers and gherkins to Costa Rica, comprising 84% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Honduras ($X), with a 1.3% share of total imports. It was followed by Nicaragua, with a 0.2% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from Mexico totaled +31.5%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Honduras (-14.4% per year) and Nicaragua (-12.0% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the average cucumber and gherkin import price amounted to $X per ton, shrinking by -12% against the previous year. Overall, import price indicated moderate growth from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +4.6% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, cucumber and gherkin import price decreased by -16.9% against 2019 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when the average import price increased by 83% against the previous year. The import price peaked at $X per ton in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

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 Mexico ($X per ton), while the price for Nicaragua ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Mexico (+3.7%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced mixed trend patterns.

Source: IndexBox Platform