Costa Rica: Steel Railway Material Market 2025

Steel Railway Material Market Size in Costa Rica

The Costa Rican steel railway material market contracted to $X in 2022, waning by -8.6% against the previous year. Over the period under review, consumption recorded a pronounced slump. Over the period under review, the market reached the peak level at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Steel Railway Material Production in Costa Rica

In value terms, steel railway material production shrank to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production continues to indicate a noticeable descent. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 47% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production attained the maximum level at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

Steel Railway Material Exports

Exports from Costa Rica

In 2022, approx. X tons of railway material of steel were exported from Costa Rica; with a decrease of -26.1% on the year before. Over the period under review, exports, however, posted a tangible increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 with an increase of 1,416% against the previous year. The exports peaked at X tons in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, steel railway material exports reduced to $X in 2022. Overall, exports, however, saw a buoyant increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when exports increased by 1,343% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X. From 2018 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Guatemala (X tons) was the main destination for steel railway material exports from Costa Rica, with a 68% share of total exports. Moreover, steel railway material exports to Guatemala exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Panama (X kg), sixfold. El Salvador (X kg) ranked third in terms of total exports with a 10% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to Guatemala stood at +5.6%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Panama (-2.4% per year) and El Salvador (+59.2% per year).

In value terms, Guatemala ($X) emerged as the key foreign market for railway material of steel exports from Costa Rica, comprising 72% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by El Salvador ($X), with a 17% share of total exports. It was followed by Honduras, with a 5% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to Guatemala amounted to +13.0%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: El Salvador (+40.1% per year) and Honduras (-8.2% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the average steel railway material export price amounted to $X per ton, growing by 23% against the previous year. In general, export price indicated a slight expansion from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +1.3% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, steel railway material export price increased by +54.5% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 an increase of 86%. Over the period under review, the average export prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2019; however, from 2020 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 El Salvador ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Panama ($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 Guatemala (+7.0%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced mixed trend patterns.

Steel Railway Material Imports

Imports into Costa Rica

For the fifth year in a row, Costa Rica recorded decline in overseas purchases of railway material of steel, which decreased by -69.1% to X tons in 2022. Over the period under review, imports continue to indicate a abrupt downturn. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 with an increase of 176% against the previous year. Imports peaked at X tons in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, steel railway material imports reduced sharply to $X in 2022. In general, imports showed a drastic downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of 168%. Imports peaked at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2022, China (X tons) constituted the largest supplier of steel railway material to Costa Rica, with a 50% share of total imports. Moreover, steel railway material imports from China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Germany (X tons), twofold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Luxembourg (X tons), with a 13% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume from China amounted to -10.5%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Germany (+2.3% per year) and Luxembourg (+4.0% per year).

In value terms, China ($X) constituted the largest supplier of railway material of steel to Costa Rica, comprising 38% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Spain ($X), with a 17% share of total imports. It was followed by Luxembourg, with a 17% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value from China totaled -8.4%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Spain (-8.1% per year) and Luxembourg (+11.0% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the average steel railway material import price amounted to $X per ton, jumping by 44% against the previous year. Overall, the import price showed a modest expansion. The import price peaked at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Spain (+11.7%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform