Costa Rica: Dry Bean Market 2025

Dry Bean Market Size in Costa Rica

The Costa Rican dry bean market totaled $X in 2022, leveling off at the previous year. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +1.6% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Dry bean consumption peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Dry Bean Production in Costa Rica

In value terms, dry bean production expanded modestly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production recorded a perceptible reduction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when the production volume increased by 40%. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2014 to 2022, production growth failed to regain momentum.

In 2022, the average dry bean yield in Costa Rica declined modestly to X kg per ha, shrinking by -2.5% against the year before. Over the period under review, the yield, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 with an increase of 29%. Over the period under review, the average dry bean yield hit record highs at X kg per ha in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, 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 dry bean harvested area in Costa Rica contracted to X ha in 2022, with a decrease of -3.9% against 2021 figures. Overall, the harvested area continues to indicate a perceptible decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 with an increase of 33% against the previous year. The dry bean harvested area peaked at X ha in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, the harvested area failed to regain momentum.

Dry Bean Exports

Exports from Costa Rica

In 2022, exports of beans (dry) from Costa Rica surged to X tons, with an increase of 20% compared with the previous year's figure. Over the period under review, exports, however, showed a pronounced decline. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 with an increase of 728%. The exports peaked at X tons in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, dry bean exports rose significantly to $X in 2022. In general, exports, however, recorded a perceptible downturn. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 when exports increased by 536% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

The United States (X tons) was the main destination for dry bean exports from Costa Rica, with a 66% share of total exports. Moreover, dry bean exports to the United States exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Guatemala (X tons), threefold. The third position in this ranking was held by the UK (X tons), with a 5.4% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume to the United States stood at -1.5%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Guatemala (-7.9% per year) and the UK (+277.4% per year).

In value terms, the United States ($X) remains the key foreign market for beans (dry) exports from Costa Rica, comprising 73% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Guatemala ($X), with a 15% share of total exports. It was followed by the UK, with a 9.2% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value to the United States stood at -3.3%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Guatemala (-9.5% per year) and the UK (+312.7% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average dry bean export price stood at $X per ton in 2022, shrinking by -11.4% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the average export price increased by 43%. Over the period under review, the average export prices reached the peak figure at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the export prices stood at a somewhat 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 the UK ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Guatemala ($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 UK (+9.4%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced mixed trend patterns.

Dry Bean Imports

Imports into Costa Rica

In 2022, approx. X tons of beans (dry) were imported into Costa Rica; reducing by -5.9% on the previous year. Overall, imports showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when imports increased by 35%. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons. From 2018 to 2022, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, dry bean imports rose modestly to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, total imports indicated pronounced growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +2.6% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports decreased by -5.1% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 with an increase of 52%. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X. From 2018 to 2022, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

Nicaragua (X tons), the United States (X tons) and Argentina (X tons) were the main suppliers of dry bean imports to Costa Rica, together accounting for 92% of total imports. Bolivia, Guatemala, Mexico, Honduras and China lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 7.4%.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by Bolivia (with a CAGR of +57.4%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Nicaragua ($X) constituted the largest supplier of beans (dry) to Costa Rica, comprising 58% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by the United States ($X), with a 28% share of total imports. It was followed by Argentina, with a 6.8% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value from Nicaragua amounted to +7.8%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: the United States (+32.1% per year) and Argentina (+22.5% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the average dry bean import price amounted to $X per ton, surging by 10% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.7%. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 an increase of 35% against the previous year. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per ton; afterwards, it flattened through to 2022.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was China ($X per ton), while the price for Argentina ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by China (+7.9%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform