Costa Rica: Recovered Paper Market 2025

Recovered Paper Market Size in Costa Rica

In 2022, the Costa Rican recovered paper market decreased by -9.8% to $X for the first time since 2018, thus ending a three-year rising trend. Overall, consumption, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. From 2016 to 2022, the growth of the market remained at a lower figure.

Recovered Paper Production in Costa Rica

In value terms, recovered paper production fell to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production recorded a slight descent. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when the production volume increased by 21% against the previous year. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2018 to 2022, production growth failed to regain momentum.

Recovered Paper Exports

Exports from Costa Rica

In 2022, overseas shipments of recovered paper decreased by less than 0.1% to X tons, falling for the third consecutive year after three years of growth. Over the period under review, exports showed a noticeable decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 11% against the previous year. The exports peaked at X tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, recovered paper exports dropped to $X in 2022. Overall, exports saw a pronounced curtailment. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 35%. The exports peaked at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Ecuador (X tons), El Salvador (X tons) and Peru (X tons) were the main destinations of recovered paper exports from Costa Rica, together comprising 51% of total exports. Vietnam, Colombia, Mexico, Guatemala, India, Chile, China, Taiwan (Chinese), South Korea and Panama lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 39%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for India (with a CAGR of +25.1%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, El Salvador ($X), Ecuador ($X) and Guatemala ($X) appeared to be the largest markets for recovered paper exported from Costa Rica worldwide, with a combined 58% share of total exports. Peru, Vietnam, Colombia, India, Mexico, Chile, South Korea, China, Panama and Taiwan (Chinese) lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 36%.

India, with a CAGR of +20.5%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, in terms of the main countries of destination over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the average recovered paper export price amounted to $X per ton, falling by -7.9% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 an increase of 25%. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $X per ton, and then dropped in the following year.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major external markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Panama ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Taiwan (Chinese) ($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 South Korea (+6.4%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Recovered Paper Imports

Imports into Costa Rica

In 2022, approx. X tons of recovered paper were imported into Costa Rica; with a decrease of -38.6% against 2021. In general, imports saw a abrupt decline. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 353% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum at X tons in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, recovered paper imports shrank rapidly to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports continue to indicate a abrupt decline. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when imports increased by 423% against the previous year. Imports peaked at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

The United States (X tons), Nicaragua (X tons) and Honduras (X tons) were the main suppliers of recovered paper imports to Costa Rica, together accounting for 78% of total imports. El Salvador and Guatemala lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 19%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for El Salvador (with a CAGR of +20.6%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest recovered paper suppliers to Costa Rica were the United States ($X), Nicaragua ($X) and Guatemala ($X), together comprising 74% of total imports. El Salvador and Honduras lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 23%.

Honduras, with a CAGR of +26.4%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to 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

The average recovered paper import price stood at $X per ton in 2022, which is down by -3% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the average import price increased by 15%. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per ton, and then declined slightly in the following year.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Guatemala ($X per ton), while the price for Honduras ($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 (+7.7%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform