Costa Rica: Non-Alloy Steel U-Section Market 2025

Non-Alloy Steel U-Section Market Size in Costa Rica

The Costa Rican non-alloy steel u-section market reduced sharply to $X in 2022, waning by -38.6% 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 recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X, and then shrank notably in the following year.

Non-Alloy Steel U-Section Exports

Exports from Costa Rica

After two years of growth, overseas shipments of u-sections of non-alloy steel decreased by -23.7% to X tons in 2022. In general, exports, however, posted a resilient expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 333% against the previous year. The exports peaked at X tons in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, non-alloy steel u-section exports fell dramatically to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports, however, continue to indicate prominent growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 393% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Nicaragua (X tons) was the main destination for non-alloy steel u-section exports from Costa Rica, with a 93% share of total exports. Moreover, non-alloy steel u-section exports to Nicaragua exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Honduras (X tons), more than tenfold. Panama (X tons) ranked third in terms of total exports with a 1.9% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to Nicaragua stood at +18.4%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Honduras (-4.4% per year) and Panama (+4.2% per year).

In value terms, Nicaragua ($X) remains the key foreign market for u-sections of non-alloy steel exports from Costa Rica, comprising 92% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Panama ($X), with a 4.2% share of total exports. It was followed by Honduras, with a 2.6% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value to Nicaragua totaled +18.1%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Panama (+4.4% per year) and Honduras (-6.4% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the average non-alloy steel u-section export price amounted to $X per ton, dropping by -5.6% against the previous year. In general, the export price continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the average export price increased by 20% against the previous year. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

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 ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Honduras ($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 Panama (+0.2%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced a decline.

Non-Alloy Steel U-Section Imports

Imports into Costa Rica

In 2022, imports of u-sections of non-alloy steel into Costa Rica contracted significantly to X tons, falling by -37.8% against 2021 figures. Over the period under review, imports saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 204% against the previous year. Imports peaked at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, non-alloy steel u-section imports reduced rapidly to $X in 2022. In general, imports, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 321% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X, and then fell significantly in the following year.

Imports by Country

In 2022, the Dominican Republic (X tons) constituted the largest non-alloy steel u-section supplier to Costa Rica, with a 73% share of total imports. Moreover, non-alloy steel u-section imports from the Dominican Republic exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Nicaragua (X tons), eightfold. Mexico (X tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with a 7.7% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from the Dominican Republic totaled +20.4%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Nicaragua (-3.6% per year) and Mexico (+23.5% per year).

In value terms, the largest non-alloy steel u-section suppliers to Costa Rica were the Dominican Republic ($X), Nicaragua ($X) and Mexico ($X), together comprising 67% of total imports. Spain, China and Turkey lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 25%.

Among the main suppliers, Spain, with a CAGR of +61.0%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to 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

The average non-alloy steel u-section import price stood at $X per ton in 2022, leveling off at the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 an increase of 39% against the previous year. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per ton, leveling off in the following year.

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 Spain ($X per ton), while the price for the Dominican Republic ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

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

Source: IndexBox Platform