Costa Rica: Pimenta Pepper Market 2025

Pimenta Pepper Market Size in Costa Rica

The Costa Rican pimenta pepper market contracted sharply to $X in 2022, reducing by -29.6% against the previous year. Over the period under review, consumption, however, saw a resilient expansion. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs at $X in 2021, and then shrank remarkably in the following year.

Pimenta Pepper Production in Costa Rica

In value terms, pimenta pepper production totaled $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 25%. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2018 to 2022, production growth remained at a lower figure.

In 2022, the average pimenta pepper yield in Costa Rica totaled less than X kg per ha, approximately equating the year before. In general, the yield continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

In 2022, the total area harvested in terms of pimenta pepper production in Costa Rica amounted to less than X ha, approximately mirroring the previous year. In general, the harvested area continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern.

Pimenta Pepper Exports

Exports from Costa Rica

In 2022, shipments abroad of pimenta pepper was finally on the rise to reach X tons for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year declining trend. In general, exports, however, continue to indicate a abrupt curtailment. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 with an increase of 90%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, pimenta pepper exports surged to $X in 2022. Overall, exports, however, recorded a abrupt slump. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

The United States (X tons) was the main destination for pimenta pepper exports from Costa Rica, with a 92% share of total exports. Moreover, pimenta pepper exports to the United States exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Saudi Arabia (X tons), more than tenfold.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to the United States stood at -3.0%.

In value terms, the United States ($X) remains the key foreign market for pimenta pepper exports from Costa Rica, comprising 83% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Saudi Arabia ($X), with a 2.9% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to the United States was relatively modest.

Export Prices by Country

The average pimenta pepper export price stood at $X per ton in 2022, with an increase of 3% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.9%. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 an increase of 40% against the previous year. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2017; afterwards, it flattened through to 2022.

Average prices varied somewhat for the major foreign markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the United States ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Saudi Arabia stood at $X per ton.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to the United States (+3.8%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced mixed trend patterns.

Pimenta Pepper Imports

Imports into Costa Rica

In 2022, the amount of pimenta pepper imported into Costa Rica shrank dramatically to X tons, with a decrease of -55.6% on the previous year's figure. In general, imports, however, enjoyed a tangible expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 when imports increased by 213% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of X tons. From 2016 to 2022, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, pimenta pepper imports declined significantly to $X in 2022. Overall, imports, however, showed a buoyant expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when imports increased by 185%. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X. From 2016 to 2022, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Honduras (X tons) constituted the largest supplier of pimenta pepper to Costa Rica, accounting for a 51% share of total imports. Moreover, pimenta pepper imports from Honduras exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Spain (X tons), fourfold. The third position in this ranking was taken by the United States (X tons), with a 9.1% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from Honduras stood at +8.1%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Spain (+2.2% per year) and the United States (-7.8% per year).

In value terms, Honduras ($X), Spain ($X) and the United States ($X) were the largest pimenta pepper suppliers to Costa Rica, with a combined 55% share of total imports. China, India, Guatemala and Jamaica lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 23%.

Guatemala, with a CAGR of +41.3%, recorded the highest growth rate of 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 pimenta pepper import price amounted to $X per ton, increasing by 35% against the previous year. In general, import price indicated a strong expansion from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +5.1% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when the average import price increased by 43% against the previous year. The import price peaked in 2022 and is likely to see gradual growth in the immediate term.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Honduras (+12.0%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform