Costa Rica: Unmanufactured Tobacco Market 2025

Unmanufactured Tobacco Market Size in Costa Rica

In 2022, after three years of growth, there was significant decline in the Costa Rican unmanufactured tobacco market, when its value decreased by -32.3% to $X. Overall, consumption continues to indicate a abrupt decrease. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. From 2014 to 2022, the growth of the market failed to regain momentum.

Unmanufactured Tobacco Production in Costa Rica

In value terms, unmanufactured tobacco production reached $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production continues to indicate a deep setback. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 with an increase of 86%. Unmanufactured tobacco production peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

The average yield of tobacco (unmanufactured) in Costa Rica stood at X tons per ha in 2022, remaining relatively unchanged against the year before. Overall, the yield saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the yield increased by 14%. As a result, the yield reached the peak level of X tons per ha. From 2019 to 2022, the growth of the average unmanufactured tobacco yield remained at a somewhat lower figure. 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 tobacco (unmanufactured) production in Costa Rica shrank to X ha, waning by -5.6% on the year before. Over the period under review, the harvested area continues to indicate a mild decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 with an increase of 60% against the previous year. The unmanufactured tobacco harvested area peaked at X ha in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the harvested area stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Unmanufactured Tobacco Exports

Exports from Costa Rica

In 2022, after three years of decline, there was significant growth in overseas shipments of tobacco (unmanufactured), when their volume increased by 221% to X tons. Over the period under review, exports, however, continue to indicate a noticeable descent. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 508% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X tons. From 2019 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, unmanufactured tobacco exports soared to $X in 2022. In general, exports, however, showed a abrupt decline. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when exports increased by 298%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X. From 2019 to 2022, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

The Dominican Republic (X tons) was the main destination for unmanufactured tobacco exports from Costa Rica, with a 66% share of total exports. Moreover, unmanufactured tobacco exports to the Dominican Republic exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Bahamas (X tons), fourfold. The third position in this ranking was held by Nicaragua (X tons), with a 13% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume to the Dominican Republic stood at +4.7%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Bahamas (+26.2% per year) and Nicaragua (-2.1% per year).

In value terms, the Dominican Republic ($X) remains the key foreign market for tobacco (unmanufactured) exports from Costa Rica, comprising 84% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Honduras ($X), with a 7.9% share of total exports. It was followed by Nicaragua, with a 4.8% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value to the Dominican Republic stood at +8.4%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Honduras (-24.4% per year) and Nicaragua (+1.5% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average unmanufactured tobacco export price stood at $X per ton in 2022, waning by -6.5% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price recorded a noticeable contraction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 when the average export price increased by 50%. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the export prices remained at a 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 Honduras ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Bahamas ($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 Nicaragua (+3.6%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Unmanufactured Tobacco Imports

Imports into Costa Rica

In 2022, imports of tobacco (unmanufactured) into Costa Rica reduced to X tons, dropping by -8.1% compared with 2021. Over the period under review, imports showed a precipitous slump. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 with an increase of 165% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of X tons. From 2014 to 2022, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, unmanufactured tobacco imports dropped significantly to $X in 2022. Overall, imports faced a abrupt decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 212% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X. From 2014 to 2022, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

Guatemala (X tons), Ecuador (X tons) and the Dominican Republic (X tons) were the main suppliers of unmanufactured tobacco imports to Costa Rica, with a combined 49% share of total imports. Cuba, Argentina, Switzerland, Mexico, North Macedonia, Nicaragua, Turkey, Greece, Malawi and Brazil lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 47%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Nicaragua (with a CAGR of -5.8%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced a decline.

In value terms, the largest unmanufactured tobacco suppliers to Costa Rica were Guatemala ($X), the Dominican Republic ($X) and Cuba ($X), together accounting for 48% of total imports. Ecuador, Nicaragua, Argentina, Mexico, Switzerland, Greece, Turkey, North Macedonia, Brazil and Malawi lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 47%.

Ecuador, with a CAGR of +4.1%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, in terms of 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 unmanufactured tobacco import price amounted to $X per ton, reducing by -8% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, recorded prominent growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the average import price increased by 69%. Over the period under review, average import prices attained the maximum at $X per ton in 2021, and then contracted in the following year.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Mexico (+18.0%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform