Dairy products and alternatives in Costa Rica is set to show an improved performance in current value growth terms in 2025. This is mainly attributable to a moderate uptick in inflation, as retail volume growth is expected to be weaker than in 2024. The slowdown in volume sales is partly explained b ...

With moderate inflationary pressures driving up unit prices, current value growth for drinking milk products in Costa Rica in 2025 is projected to be slightly faster than in 2024. Retail volume growth meanwhile is set to slow from the previous year, partly due to maturity but also because the rising ...

While baby food in Costa Rica is poised to record another positive performance in retail volume and current value terms in 2025, growth in both respects looks set to be down moderately on 2024. This is partly attributable to falling birth rates, but also explained by more cautious attitudes to spend ...

Yoghurt and sour milk products in Costa Rica is poised to register another impressive performance in retail volume and current value growth terms in 2025. One of the biggest growth drivers remains rising demand for yoghurts aimed at children, which parents are becoming more inclined to perceive as c ...

Overall retail volume and current value growth rates for butter and spreads in Costa Rica in 2025 are expected to fall slightly below those recorded in 2024. The slowdown is partly explained by increasing maturity and heightened budget-consciousness amidst elevated cost-of-living pressures, but also ...

While growth in other dairy current value sales in Costa Rica in 2025 looks set to be up on 2024, this is primarily attributable to price hikes resulting from moderate inflationary pressures. Retail volume growth is expected to fall below that recorded the previous year, partly due to heightened bud ...

Plant-based dairy is set to be by far the most dynamic performer among the main dairy products and alternatives categories in Costa Rica in retail volume and current value growth terms in 2025. While this is primarily because sales are emerging from a comparatively low base, the impressive pace of i ...

Cheese in Costa Rica is poised to register an improved performance in current value growth terms in 2025. This is partly attributable to a gradual increase in inflationary pressures, as retail volume growth looks set to slow slightly from 2024 amidst encroaching maturity and elevated cost-of-living ...

While gum remains a small category in Costa Rica in 2025, a few new products have entered the market, capturing the attention of consumers looking for different flavours or presentations. For instance, Extra introduced a sugar-free version of 40 units in a plastic tub, following Trident's earlier re ...

In late 2024 and in 2025, the global cocoa crisis led to soaring prices in Central American countries. Manufacturers sought to absorb the costs, adjust product recipes, or were forced to pass on the cost to consumers. While prices for cocoa began to decline in 2025, manufacturers do not believe pric ...

Sweet biscuits, snack bars and fruit snacks is registering further value and volume growth in Costa Rica in 2025. To satisfy their craving for something sweet, consumers often turn to options like sweet biscuits, snack bars, or fruit snacks. The market offers a wide range of choices to suit differen ...

Moderate volume growth in sugar confectionery in 2025 is driven largely by demand from children and parents organising birthday parties. Bulk packages have become increasingly popular for such occasions, offering both convenience and value. Retailers like PriceSmart and El Rey are well known for the ...

Ice cream parlours are popular in Costa Rica, and when consumers crave ice cream, they often prefer visiting one of these establishments over purchasing it in a retail store. While convenience stores do offer ice cream, on-the-go consumption can be inconvenient and messy. Buying ice cream from super ...

In 2025, consumers in Costa Rica continue to enjoy savoury snacks, driven by both nostalgia and the appeal of new flavours. Brands like Jack’s tap into fond memories with classic products such as Picaritas, which are often used in traditional dishes like “caldosa”, a ceviche. At the same time, brand ...

Costa Rica recorded an inflation rate of 0.84% in 2024, according to the Central Bank of Costa Rica (BCCR), with the Consumer Price Index (IPC) showing price declines in key snack categories like chips, savoury snacks, ice cream, and sugar confectionery, dampening value growth. In 2025, the industry ...

We've revised down our 2025 GDP growth forecast for Costa Rica by 0.6ppts to 3%, reflecting our expectation of softer domestic demand. The main driver behind this adjustment is weaker fixed investment, which we anticipate will be constrained by heightened global uncertainty and concerns about sl ...

The market for alcoholic drinks in Costa Rica remained flat in volume terms in 2024. This was despite positive macroeconomic indicators such as falling inflation and a declining unemployment rate. Industry sources described the year as particularly challenging, with players investing considerable re ...

Wine experienced only marginal volume growth in Costa Rica in 2024 - a noticeable slowdown compared to the strong momentum of previous years. This deceleration was partly due to lingering inflationary pressures and tighter household budgets, which led many consumers to reduce discretionary spending, ...

Spirits in Costa Rica experienced a modest increase in volume sales in 2024, driven largely by a wider variety of imported products available through modern retail channels. Despite this, the market continues to face challenges from contraband offerings, particularly those smuggled in from Panama. D ...

Volume sales of RTDs grew strongly in Costa Rica in 2024. These beverages are increasingly seen as a tastier and sometimes healthier alternative to beer and are especially popular among middle- and higher-income consumers, as well as younger generations. In addition, their convenience and suitabilit ...

Cider/perry volumes in Costa Rica declined in 2024, extending the negative trend observed over the previous two years. Perry remains largely unknown among local consumers, with cider, while being slightly more recognised, still occupies a niche market. Certain modern retailers, like Automercado, car ...

Beer consumption in Costa Rica experienced a slight decline in 2024, particularly in the latter part of the year, when heavy rainfall and flooding dampened sales. Despite this, beer remains the largest category within the alcoholic drinks market. Its enduring popularity is largely attributed to the ...

Cigars registered a healthy increase in volume sales in 2024 in Costa Rica. This was mainly due to increased tourist numbers, as many avail of the large variety of cigar brands, including Cuban brands, in Costa Rica. This is especially true for US tourists, where Cuban cigars are not available. As s ...

Overall, tobacco registered a fall in volume sales in Costa Rica in 2024, largely due to a fall in volume sales for cigarettes. Though there was a slight decline in smoking prevalence, it did not fully explain the fall in volume sales, with an increase in illicit sales, also contributing to the decl ...

E-vapour products registered both an increase in current value and volume sales in Costa Rica in 2024. However, growth has dampened since restrictions on public vaping were introduced in 2022. In addition, the country has been moving forward with a ban on synthetic nicotine in vaping products. The n ...