Costa Rica: Mate Market 2025

Mate Market Size in Costa Rica

The Costa Rican mate market shrank sharply to $X in 2022, dropping by -25.4% 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). In general, consumption, however, enjoyed strong growth. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X, and then fell sharply in the following year.

Mate Exports

Exports from Costa Rica

In 2022, overseas shipments of mate were finally on the rise to reach X kg after two years of decline. Overall, exports, however, faced a deep setback. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 with an increase of 185%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure at X kg in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, mate exports soared to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports, however, continue to indicate a abrupt slump. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 when exports increased by 552%. The exports peaked at $X in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

The United States (X kg), the Netherlands (X kg) and Nicaragua (X kg) were the main destinations of mate exports from Costa Rica.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by the Netherlands (with a CAGR of 0.0%), while the other leaders experienced a decline.

In value terms, the largest markets for mate exported from Costa Rica were the Netherlands ($X), Nicaragua ($X) and the United States ($X).

The Netherlands, with a CAGR of 0.0%, 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 a decline.

Export Prices by Country

The average mate export price stood at $X per ton in 2022, picking up by 36% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price posted buoyant growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when the average export price increased by 129%. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2020 to 2022, the average export prices remained 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 Nicaragua ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to the United States ($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 (+20.2%).

Mate Imports

Imports into Costa Rica

In 2022, approx. X tons of mate were imported into Costa Rica; falling by -23.8% compared with 2021. Over the period under review, imports, however, showed a tangible expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 with an increase of 91% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons, and then shrank markedly in the following year.

In value terms, mate imports reduced remarkably to $X in 2022. In general, imports, however, continue to indicate a buoyant expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when imports increased by 105%. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X, and then declined significantly in the following year.

Imports by Country

Argentina (X tons), China (X tons) and Uruguay (X kg) were the main suppliers of mate imports to Costa Rica, together comprising 97% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by China (with a CAGR of +22.1%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Argentina ($X) constituted the largest supplier of mate to Costa Rica, comprising 90% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Uruguay ($X), with a 5.1% share of total imports. It was followed by China, with a 2.3% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from Argentina totaled +13.2%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Uruguay (0.0% per year) and China (+18.1% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the average mate import price amounted to $X per ton, declining by -2.3% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +4.2%. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 when the average import price increased by 25% against the previous year. The import price peaked at $X per ton in 2017; however, from 2018 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 Uruguay ($X per ton), while the price for China ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Argentina (+12.1%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced a decline.

Source: IndexBox Platform