Costa Rica: Market for Printing and Writing Paper 2025

Market Size for Printing and Writing Paper in Costa Rica

In 2021, the Costa Rican printing and writing paper market increased by 11% to $X for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year declining trend. Overall, consumption, however, recorded a mild contraction. Printing and writing paper consumption peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Production of Printing and Writing Paper in Costa Rica

In value terms, printing and writing paper production contracted modestly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production recorded a slight reduction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 4.3%. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports of Printing and Writing Paper

Exports from Costa Rica

In 2022, the amount of printing and writing paper exported from Costa Rica was estimated at X tons, picking up by 4.4% against 2021. Over the period under review, exports, however, continue to indicate a abrupt descent. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 with an increase of 9.7%. The exports peaked at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, printing and writing paper exports rose significantly to $X in 2022. Overall, exports, however, recorded a abrupt downturn. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 with an increase of 19%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Nicaragua (X tons), Panama (X tons) and Trinidad and Tobago (X tons) were the main destinations of printing and writing paper exports from Costa Rica, with a combined 93% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Trinidad and Tobago (with a CAGR of +27.3%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced a decline.

In value terms, Nicaragua ($X), Panama ($X) and El Salvador ($X) were the largest markets for printing and writing paper exported from Costa Rica worldwide, with a combined 94% share of total exports. Trinidad and Tobago and the United States lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 4%.

In terms of the main countries of destination, Trinidad and Tobago, with a CAGR of +18.7%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced a decline.

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the average printing and writing paper export price amounted to $X per ton, surging by 2.8% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.1%. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 an increase of 16% against the previous year. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the United States ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Trinidad and Tobago ($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 the United States (+11.6%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports of Printing and Writing Paper

Imports into Costa Rica

Printing and writing paper imports into Costa Rica contracted slightly to X tons in 2022, waning by -4.9% on the previous year's figure. Overall, imports recorded a noticeable descent. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when imports increased by 11% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum at X tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, printing and writing paper imports declined to $X in 2022. In general, imports continue to indicate a abrupt slump. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 20%. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

Brazil (X tons), the United States (X tons) and Portugal (X tons) were the main suppliers of printing and writing paper imports to Costa Rica, together comprising 50% of total imports. Indonesia, China, Italy, Singapore, Mexico, Colombia, Germany, Austria, El Salvador and South Korea lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 39%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for El Salvador (with a CAGR of +19.1%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest printing and writing paper suppliers to Costa Rica were Brazil ($X), the United States ($X) and Indonesia ($X), together comprising 49% of total imports. Portugal, China, Italy, Mexico, Singapore, Germany, El Salvador, Colombia, South Korea and Austria lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 38%.

Among the main suppliers, El Salvador, with a CAGR of +13.2%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, 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 printing and writing paper import price amounted to $X per ton, which is down by -3.6% against the previous year. In general, the import price recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 an increase of 10%. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2019 to 2022, the average import prices failed to regain momentum.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Colombia (+2.3%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform