Sector footprint
$493.5M in exports
Reported agriculture and food exports in 2024 across 51 qualifying HS6 products.
Sector export playbook ยท HS 01-24
Costa Rica Agriculture and food exports
where capability meets demand
Explore Costa Rica's HS 01-24 product portfolio, buyer markets, growth signals, and diversification opportunities. Use this guide to prioritize research, not to treat calculated indicators as guaranteed sales.
Sector exports$493.5M2024 reported value
Products51Qualifying HS6 products
Buyer markets14Markets represented
Average CAGR+27.4%Product-level growth signal
Global sector size$180.9BReported buyer imports
Agriculture and food capability
How strong is Costa Rica in this sector?
Compare exporter scale with product breadth, buyer demand, growth, and destination reach. A large sector does not remove the need for product, compliance, pricing, and buyer validation.
Global demand
$180.9B buyer imports
The sector's reported buyer import base provides context for product and market prioritization.
How to use the guide
Find the next credible move
Start with products that combine demand and exporter capability, then validate standards, route economics, buyers, and competition.
Product portfolio
Which products anchor the sector?
Each HS6 product is ranked by calculated opportunity and shown with reported market size, exporter exports, growth, and destination reach.
| Product | Global size | Your exports | Opportunity | CAGR | Markets | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HS 020230Meat: of bovine animals, boneless cuts, frozen | $16.3B | $68.0M | $14.4B | +33.7% | 3 | +0.4% |
| HS 210690Food preparations: n.e.s. in item no. 2106.10 | $17.2B | $92.8M | $9.5B | +26.2% | 5 | +1.3% |
| HS 220300Beer: made from malt | $8.7B | $300.2K | $8.5B | -9.0% | 2 | +0.0% |
| HS 190590Food preparations: bakers' wares n.e.c. in heading no. 1605, whether or not containing cocoa: communion wafers, empty cachets suitable for pharmaceutical use, sealing wafers, rice papers and similar products | $9.1B | $4.7M | $7.2B | +14.5% | 2 | +0.0% |
| HS 220890Spirits, liqueurs and other spirituous beverages: n.e.c. in heading no. 2208 | $4.9B | $616.8 | $6.6B | -10.1% | 1 | +0.0% |
| HS 030617Crustaceans: frozen, shrimps and prawns, excluding cold-water varieties, in shell or not, smoked, cooked or not before or during smoking: in shell, cooked by steaming or by boiling in water | $9.1B | $290.4K | $6.2B | -11.4% | 2 | +0.0% |
| HS 080440Fruit, edible: avocados, fresh or dried | $3.7B | $23.6 | $5.9B | -16.7% | 1 | +0.0% |
| HS 090111Coffee: not roasted or decaffeinated | $14.8B | $228.2M | $5.8B | +0.7% | 4 | +1.6% |
| HS 070200Vegetables: tomatoes, fresh or chilled | $5.4B | $110.4K | $4.6B | +9.1% | 2 | +0.0% |
| HS 020130Meat: of bovine animals, boneless cuts, fresh or chilled | $6.0B | $14.1M | $4.1B | -1.4% | 2 | +0.2% |
| HS 220421Wine: still, in containers holding 2 litres or less | $9.3B | $21.4K | $4.0B | -1.0% | 3 | +0.0% |
| HS 120190Soya beans: other than seed, whether or not broken | $4.6B | $2.0K | $3.9B | +12.6% | 2 | +0.0% |
| HS 170114Sugars: cane sugar, raw, in solid form, other than as specified in Subheading Note 2 to this chapter, not containing added flavouring or colouring matter | $2.6B | $32.8M | $2.8B | -17.0% | 2 | +2.0% |
| HS 240220Cigarettes: containing tobacco | $3.2B | $6.2K | $2.7B | +15.4% | 1 | +0.0% |
| HS 090121Coffee: roasted, not decaffeinated | $3.9B | $4.0M | $2.6B | -3.2% | 2 | +0.1% |
| HS 200410Vegetable preparations: potatoes, prepared or preserved otherwise than by vinegar or acetic acid, frozen | $2.2B | $22.6K | $2.5B | +54.0% | 1 | +0.0% |
| HS 230910Dog or cat food: put up for retail sale, used in animal feeding | $3.7B | $9.3M | $2.2B | +93.1% | 2 | +0.2% |
| HS 030441Fish fillets: fresh or chilled, salmon, Pacific (Oncorhynchus nerka, Oncorhynchus gorbuscha, Oncorhynchus keta, Oncorhynchus tschawytscha, Oncorhynchus kisutch, Oncorhynchus masou and Oncorhynchus rhodurus), Atlantic (Salmo salar), Danube (Hucho hucho) | $2.6B | $10.6K | $2.2B | +31.0% | 1 | +0.0% |
| HS 151800Animal or vegetable fats and oils and their fractions: oxidised, boiled or otherwise chemically modified, (excluding those of heading no. 1516), inedible mixtures or preparations of fats or oils | $2.4B | $104.8K | $2.1B | +7.7% | 1 | +0.0% |
| HS 170290Sugars: n.e.c. in heading no. 1702, including invert sugar and other sugar and sugar syrup blends containing, in the dry state, 50% by weight of fructose | $1.2B | $3.6 | $2.0B | -21.1% | 1 | +0.0% |
| HS 151190Vegetable oils: palm oil and its fractions, other than crude, whether or not refined, but not chemically modified | $1.6B | $54.6K | $2.0B | +31.8% | 1 | +0.0% |
| HS 070960Vegetables: fruits of the genus capsicum or of the genus pimenta | $2.2B | $3.6K | $1.9B | -13.7% | 1 | +0.0% |
| HS 020714Meat and edible offal: of fowls of the species Gallus domesticus, cuts and offal, frozen | $2.6B | $6.8K | $1.8B | -10.8% | 1 | +0.0% |
| HS 081020Fruit, edible: raspberries, blackberries, mulberries and loganberries, fresh | $1.2B | $16.4 | $1.7B | -32.9% | 1 | +0.0% |
| HS 190531Food preparations: sweet biscuits, whether or not containing cocoa | $2.4B | $9.2M | $1.6B | +17.1% | 1 | +0.4% |
| HS 220830Whiskies | $2.1B | $5.6 | $1.5B | -18.1% | 1 | +0.0% |
| HS 170490Sugar confectionery: (excluding chewing gum, including white chocolate), not containing cocoa | $3.2B | $1.6M | $1.5B | +4.2% | 1 | +0.1% |
| HS 180100Cocoa beans: whole or broken, raw or roasted | $3.7B | $269.5K | $1.4B | +77.8% | 1 | +0.0% |
| HS 180620Chocolate & other food preparations containing cocoa: in blocks, slabs or bars weighing more than 2kg or in liquid, paste, powder, granular or other bulk form in containers or immediate packings, content exceeding 2kg | $1.4B | $440.8K | $1.4B | +4.7% | 1 | +0.0% |
| HS 060290Plants, live: n.e.s. in heading no. 0602 | $1.5B | $1.3M | $1.3B | +3.4% | 1 | +0.1% |
| HS 230400Oil-cake and other solid residues: whether or not ground or in the form of pellets, resulting from the extraction of soya-bean oil | $970.4M | $108.6K | $1.3B | +75.6% | 1 | +0.0% |
| HS 240210Cigars, cheroots and cigarillos: containing tobacco including the weight of every band, wrapper or attachment thereto | $1.5B | $1.9M | $1.3B | +22.4% | 1 | +0.1% |
| HS 081010Fruit, edible: strawberries, fresh | $957.9M | $99.3K | $1.3B | +10.1% | 1 | +0.0% |
| HS 081190Fruit, edible: fruit and nuts n.e.s. in heading no. 0811, uncooked or cooked, frozen whether or not containing added sugar or other sweetening matter | $849.7M | $19.5K | $1.2B | +0.1% | 1 | +0.0% |
| HS 230330Brewing or distilling dregs and waste: whether or not in the form of pellets | $663.0M | $163.5K | $1.2B | +78.1% | 1 | +0.0% |
| HS 180400Cocoa: butter, fat and oil | $1.9B | $943.0 | $1.2B | +1229.1% | 1 | +0.0% |
| HS 030614Crustaceans: crabs, frozen (whether in shell or not, whether or not cooked by steaming or by boiling in water) | $1.0B | $146.2K | $1.1B | +27.0% | 1 | +0.0% |
| HS 020649Offal, edible: of swine, (other than livers), frozen | $2.2B | $178.8K | $1.1B | +31.7% | 1 | +0.0% |
| HS 180310Cocoa: paste, not defatted | $952.0M | $1.3K | $1.1B | -23.9% | 1 | +0.0% |
| HS 060319Flowers, cut: flowers and buds of a kind suitable for bouquets or ornamental purposes, fresh, other than roses, carnations, orchids, or chrysanthemums | $1.3B | $8.4M | $1.1B | +3.8% | 1 | +0.6% |
| HS 080550Fruit, edible: lemons (Citrus limon, Citrus limonum), limes (Citrus aurantifolia , Citrus latifolia), fresh or dried | $1.0B | $7.8K | $1.1B | +1.2% | 1 | +0.0% |
| HS 220410Wine: sparkling | $1.7B | $125.7 | $1.1B | -2.9% | 1 | +0.0% |
| HS 070700Vegetables: cucumbers and gherkins, fresh or chilled | $1.4B | $5.7K | $1.1B | +4.4% | 1 | +0.0% |
| HS 180690Chocolate and other food preparations containing cocoa: n.e.c. in chapter 18 | $1.9B | $2.6M | $1.0B | +18.8% | 1 | +0.1% |
| HS 040510Dairy produce: derived from milk, butter | $735.1M | $721.0 | $997.3M | -19.4% | 1 | +0.0% |
| HS 100630Cereals: rice, semi-milled or wholly milled, whether or not polished or glazed | $1.4B | $5.6 | $996.7M | -2.0% | 1 | +0.0% |
| HS 120510Oil seeds: low erucic acid rape or colza seeds, whether or not broken | $2.5B | $23.4 | $992.0M | -85.9% | 1 | +0.0% |
| HS 200912Juice: orange, not frozen, of a Brix value not exceeding 20, unfermented, not containing added spirit, whether or not containing added sugar or other sweetening matter | $790.6M | $1.4K | $985.5M | +54.3% | 1 | +0.0% |
| HS 080610Fruit, edible: grapes, fresh | $2.1B | $2.5K | $969.6M | +11.8% | 1 | +0.0% |
| HS 020329Meat: of swine, n.e.s. in item no. 0203.2, frozen | $1.7B | $17.0K | $900.5M | -93.8% | 1 | +0.0% |
| HS 070993Vegetables: pumpkins, squash and gourds (Cucurbita spp.), fresh or chilled | $522.0M | $12.1M | $874.6M | +71.7% | 1 | +2.3% |
Best markets
Where does sector demand concentrate?
Markets are ranked by calculated opportunity across the qualifying products in this sector view.
USA
USA, Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands
36 products represented in the sector.
$78.7B$101.3B reported buyer importsCHN
China
9 products represented in the sector.
$25.9B$30.5B reported buyer importsDEU
Germany
9 products represented in the sector.
$12.2B$19.4B reported buyer importsMEX
Mexico
5 products represented in the sector.
$7.3B$6.9B reported buyer importsCAN
Canada
2 products represented in the sector.
$3.7B$3.8B reported buyer importsFRA
France
2 products represented in the sector.
$2.0B$3.1B reported buyer importsNLD
Netherlands
1 products represented in the sector.
$1.4B$3.7B reported buyer importsGBR
United Kingdom
1 products represented in the sector.
$1.1B$2.8B reported buyer importsPOL
Poland
1 products represented in the sector.
$1.1B$1.5B reported buyer importsMAR
Morocco
1 products represented in the sector.
$1.1B$898.0M reported buyer importsVNM
Viet Nam
1 products represented in the sector.
$1.1B$778.3M reported buyer importsITA
Italy
1 products represented in the sector.
$1.1B$2.6B reported buyer importsGrowth stars
Which products show the strongest growth?
Average product-level CAGR is a screening signal. Confirm the latest trend, base effects, buyer quality, and commercial feasibility before acting.
| Product | Average CAGR | Opportunity | Markets |
|---|---|---|---|
| HS 180400Cocoa: butter, fat and oil | +1229.1% | $1.2B | 1 |
| HS 230910Dog or cat food: put up for retail sale, used in animal feeding | +93.1% | $2.2B | 2 |
| HS 230330Brewing or distilling dregs and waste: whether or not in the form of pellets | +78.1% | $1.2B | 1 |
| HS 180100Cocoa beans: whole or broken, raw or roasted | +77.8% | $1.4B | 1 |
| HS 230400Oil-cake and other solid residues: whether or not ground or in the form of pellets, resulting from the extraction of soya-bean oil | +75.6% | $1.3B | 1 |
| HS 070993Vegetables: pumpkins, squash and gourds (Cucurbita spp.), fresh or chilled | +71.7% | $874.6M | 1 |
| HS 200912Juice: orange, not frozen, of a Brix value not exceeding 20, unfermented, not containing added spirit, whether or not containing added sugar or other sweetening matter | +54.3% | $985.5M | 1 |
| HS 200410Vegetable preparations: potatoes, prepared or preserved otherwise than by vinegar or acetic acid, frozen | +54.0% | $2.5B | 1 |
| HS 020230Meat: of bovine animals, boneless cuts, frozen | +33.7% | $14.4B | 3 |
| HS 151190Vegetable oils: palm oil and its fractions, other than crude, whether or not refined, but not chemically modified | +31.8% | $2.0B | 1 |
Diversification opportunities
Which products reach the widest buyer base?
Destination count is a simple breadth indicator. It does not measure destination concentration or guarantee resilience.
HS 210690
Food preparations: n.e.s. in item no. 2106.10
5 markets$9.5B calculated opportunityHS 090111
Coffee: not roasted or decaffeinated
4 markets$5.8B calculated opportunityHS 020230
Meat: of bovine animals, boneless cuts, frozen
3 markets$14.4B calculated opportunityHS 220421
Wine: still, in containers holding 2 litres or less
3 markets$4.0B calculated opportunityHS 220300
Beer: made from malt
2 markets$8.5B calculated opportunityHS 190590
Food preparations: bakers' wares n.e.c. in heading no. 1605, whether or not containing cocoa: communion wafers, empty cachets suitable for pharmaceutical use, sealing wafers, rice papers and similar products
2 markets$7.2B calculated opportunityHS 030617
Crustaceans: frozen, shrimps and prawns, excluding cold-water varieties, in shell or not, smoked, cooked or not before or during smoking: in shell, cooked by steaming or by boiling in water
2 markets$6.2B calculated opportunityHS 070200
Vegetables: tomatoes, fresh or chilled
2 markets$4.6B calculated opportunityFrequently asked questions
Using the Agriculture and food export playbook
Practical guidance for interpreting sector scale, growth, product breadth, and buyer markets.
How strong is Costa Rica in this sector?
Compare sector exports, product breadth, buyer markets, growth, and global demand. These signals identify research priorities rather than guarantee market access.
What are growth stars?
Products with higher average reported growth in the screened rows. Validate the time period, base effects, buyer demand, and current exporter position.
What does diversification mean here?
Products reaching more buyer markets in the screened data. Destination breadth is useful context but does not replace concentration, route, or buyer analysis.
Data source
OECD trade statistics with CEPII context
OECD (2025), Balanced international merchandise trade statistics (BIMTS) - HS2017-6D, OECD Data Explorer (accessed on 2026-08-30). OECD BIMTS is the primary trade series for this view. Supporting bilateral trade context uses CEPII BACI bilateral trade flows (202601) under Etalab 2.0 Open Licence. Yugalinks presents derived views of reported observations and calculated indicators. Data terms: OECD Terms & Conditions.