Costa Rica: Paper And Paperboard Market 2025

Paper And Paperboard Market Size in Costa Rica

The Costa Rican paper and paperboard market dropped to $X in 2022, reducing by -5.6% 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). Over the period under review, consumption faced a abrupt shrinkage. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Paper And Paperboard Exports

Exports from Costa Rica

In 2022, shipments abroad of paper and paperboard (creped, crinkled, embossed or perforated) decreased by -32.3% to X tons, falling for the second year in a row after two years of growth. In general, exports, however, posted a prominent increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when exports increased by 919% against the previous year. The exports peaked at X tons in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, paper and paperboard exports amounted to $X in 2022. Overall, exports, however, posted prominent growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 1,222% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $X. From 2018 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Panama (X tons) was the main destination for paper and paperboard exports from Costa Rica, accounting for a 86% share of total exports. Moreover, paper and paperboard exports to Panama exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Nicaragua (X tons), sixfold.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to Panama stood at +24.8%.

In value terms, Panama ($X) remains the key foreign market for paper and paperboard (creped, crinkled, embossed or perforated) exports from Costa Rica, comprising 96% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Nicaragua ($X), with a 4.4% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to Panama amounted to +18.2%.

Export Prices by Country

The average paper and paperboard export price stood at $X per ton in 2022, picking up by 65% against the previous year. In general, the export price saw a notable increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 an increase of 198%. Over the period under review, the average export prices hit record highs in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

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 Panama ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Nicaragua totaled $X per ton.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Nicaragua (-1.8%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced a decline.

Paper And Paperboard Imports

Imports into Costa Rica

Paper and paperboard imports into Costa Rica reduced to X tons in 2022, waning by -6.4% against the previous year. Overall, imports showed a abrupt decline. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when imports increased by 115% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum at X tons in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, paper and paperboard imports reduced to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports saw a deep downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 139% against the previous year. Imports peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

The United States (X tons), China (X tons) and Taiwan (Chinese) (X tons) were the main suppliers of paper and paperboard imports to Costa Rica, with a combined 86% share of total imports. Italy, Portugal, Guatemala and Panama lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 12%.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by Guatemala (with a CAGR of +55.0%), while imports for the other leaders experienced mixed trend patterns.

In value terms, the United States ($X) constituted the largest supplier of paper and paperboard (creped, crinkled, embossed or perforated) to Costa Rica, comprising 71% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by China ($X), with an 18% share of total imports. It was followed by Taiwan (Chinese), with a 3.4% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value from the United States stood at +7.2%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: China (-0.1% per year) and Taiwan (Chinese) (+2.8% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the average paper and paperboard import price amounted to $X per ton, falling by -2.5% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, posted buoyant growth. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 an increase of 56%. 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 the United States ($X per ton), while the price for Italy ($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) (+13.4%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform