Costa Rica: Hard Plastic Comb Market 2024

Hard Plastic Comb Market Size in Costa Rica

In 2022, the Costa Rican hard plastic comb market decreased by -4.2% to $X for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year rising trend. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +2.6% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Over the period under review, the market reached the peak level at $X in 2021, and then contracted slightly in the following year.

Hard Plastic Comb Exports

Exports from Costa Rica

In 2022, shipments abroad of hard rubber or plastic combs was finally on the rise to reach X kg for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year declining trend. Over the period under review, exports saw buoyant growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when exports increased by 151%. The exports peaked at X tons in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, hard plastic comb exports surged to $X in 2022. In general, exports recorded a resilient expansion. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 138% against the previous year. The exports peaked at $X in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Nicaragua (X kg) was the main destination for hard plastic comb exports from Costa Rica, with a 48% share of total exports. Moreover, hard plastic comb exports to Nicaragua exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Antigua and Barbuda (X kg), fourfold. The third position in this ranking was held by Ecuador (X kg), with an 11% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume to Nicaragua stood at +7.2%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Antigua and Barbuda (-42.9% per year) and Ecuador (+16.2% per year).

In value terms, Nicaragua ($X) remains the key foreign market for hard rubber or plastic combs exports from Costa Rica, comprising 45% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Ecuador ($X), with a 14% share of total exports. It was followed by Antigua and Barbuda, with a 7.8% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to Nicaragua amounted to +6.7%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Ecuador (+7.5% per year) and Antigua and Barbuda (-31.4% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the average hard plastic comb export price amounted to $X per ton, dropping by -4.9% against the previous year. Over the period under review, export price indicated notable growth from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +2.1% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, hard plastic comb export price increased by +81.6% against 2016 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 an increase of 48%. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2021, and then contracted modestly in the following year.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Panama ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to El Salvador ($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 Antigua and Barbuda (+20.1%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Hard Plastic Comb Imports

Imports into Costa Rica

In 2022, purchases abroad of hard rubber or plastic combs increased by 0.1% to X tons, rising for the third consecutive year after five years of decline. In general, total imports indicated pronounced growth from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +4.2% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports increased by +78.4% against 2019 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when imports increased by 55%. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure in 2022 and are likely to continue growth in the near future.

In value terms, hard plastic comb imports reduced to $X in 2022. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +2.1% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 29%. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2022, China (X tons) constituted the largest hard plastic comb supplier to Costa Rica, with a 87% share of total imports. Moreover, hard plastic comb imports from China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, the United States (X tons), tenfold. Panama (X tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with a 2.1% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from China totaled +11.7%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: the United States (-6.8% per year) and Panama (-16.0% per year).

In value terms, China ($X) constituted the largest supplier of hard rubber or plastic combs to Costa Rica, comprising 82% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by the United States ($X), with a 15% share of total imports. It was followed by Panama, with a 0.6% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from China totaled +8.8%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: the United States (-4.9% per year) and Panama (-25.3% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the average hard plastic comb import price amounted to $X per ton, with a decrease of -5.8% against the previous year. In general, the import price recorded a pronounced setback. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 an increase of 11%. The import price peaked at $X per ton in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, import prices remained at a 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 the United States ($X per ton), while the price for Panama ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the United States (+2.0%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced mixed trend patterns.

Source: IndexBox Platform