Costa Rica: Metal Wool Market 2025

Metal Wool Market Size in Costa Rica

The Costa Rican metal wool market soared to $X in 2022, with an increase of 71% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). Overall, consumption, however, recorded a perceptible contraction. Metal wool consumption peaked at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Metal Wool Exports

Exports from Costa Rica

In 2022, overseas shipments of iron or steel wool decreased by -1.7% to X tons, falling for the second year in a row after four years of growth. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.7% 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 2015 with an increase of 53% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X tons. From 2016 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, metal wool exports shrank to $X in 2022. Overall, exports, however, enjoyed resilient growth. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 with an increase of 25% against the previous year. The exports peaked at $X in 2021, and then reduced in the following year.

Exports by Country

Panama (X tons), Guatemala (X tons) and El Salvador (X tons) were the main destinations of metal wool exports from Costa Rica, together comprising 75% of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by Guatemala (with a CAGR of +28.4%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest markets for metal wool exported from Costa Rica were Panama ($X), Nicaragua ($X) and El Salvador ($X), together accounting for 75% of total exports.

Panama, with a CAGR of +38.9%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, among the main countries of destination over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the average metal wool export price amounted to $X per ton, which is down by -5.2% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, showed strong growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 when the average export price increased by 55% against the previous year. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2021, and then declined in the following year.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Nicaragua ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Guatemala ($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 Nicaragua (+19.3%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Metal Wool Imports

Imports into Costa Rica

In 2022, metal wool imports into Costa Rica surged to X tons, increasing by 33% compared with 2021. Overall, imports, however, continue to indicate a mild decline. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 when imports increased by 125% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure at X tons in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, metal wool imports surged to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of 139% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X. From 2016 to 2022, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

China (X tons), the United States (X tons) and Panama (X tons) were the main suppliers of metal wool imports to Costa Rica, with a combined 79% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for the United States (with a CAGR of +23.2%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, China ($X), the United States ($X) and Chile ($X) were the largest metal wool suppliers to Costa Rica, with a combined 67% share of total imports. Slovakia, South Korea, Panama, Taiwan (Chinese) and Mexico lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 13%.

Taiwan (Chinese), with a CAGR of +36.0%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, among the main suppliers over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the average metal wool import price amounted to $X per ton, waning by -9.6% against the previous year. In general, import price indicated modest growth from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +1.6% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, metal wool import price increased by +6.9% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when the average import price increased by 48% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, import prices failed to regain momentum.

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 Slovakia ($X per ton), while the price for Panama ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Taiwan (Chinese) (+11.1%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform