Costa Rica

Air care was the weakest performer in terms of volume growth in 2023. While air care registered both high current and constant value growth, volume growth was marginal. The increased prices dampened volume demand and consumers prioritised essential…

Costa Rica registered healthy volume growth in alcoholic drinks in 2022. Part of the reason for the positive performance was increased socialising, as society fully opened up post pandemic lockdowns. The FIFA World Cup in December also contributed to…

Rising inflation has caused consumers to be increasingly stressed in 2023, with rising price points and ongoing economic uncertainty negatively impacting lives. This ongoing uncertainty has led to an increase in physical discomforts; often in the…

In 2023, the resurgence of tourism in Costa Rica drove notable growth in the away-from-home (AFH) retail tissue sector. From January to June 2023, Costa Rica witnessed a remarkable surge in tourist arrivals, registering a substantial 21% increase…

During the initial years of the pandemic and for a period after associated restrictions were lifted, retail shelves in Costa Rica were somewhat lacking in variety when it came to baby and child-specific products, in that most stores only carried a…

Current value sales are expected to increase, along with a slight increase in volume sales. While there is still economic uncertainty, as a result of rising inflation, the growth in inflation is expected to ease. That being said, consumers are…

After the strong price rises seen in 2022, consumers have welcomed the lower prices emerging in bread during 2023. The reduction in value added tax (IVA) in February 2023 and the improvement in global wheat supply has enabled retailers to reduce…

During the early stages of the pandemic, bath and shower manufacturers in Costa Rica scrambled to develop new antibacterial varieties and update packaging designs to highlight the germ-killing capabilities of established products. This trend was…

Beauty and personal care in Costa Rica recorded a slowdown in total current value sales growth in 2023, but saw total volume sales rebound at an impressive pace following a marginal decline in 2022. These results reflected a rapid reduction in…

Beer registered healthy volume growth in 2022. Part of the reason for the positive performance was increased socialising, as society fully opened up post pandemic lockdowns. The FIFA World Cup in December also contributed to the high levels of…

Value sales for bleach continued to slow, and consumers increasingly favoured less toxic home care products. Bleach has been cast in a negative light in terms of environmental and also health impacts. As such, consumers are looking to reduce bleach…

Bottled water was fortunate not see the high unit price increases experienced by other soft drinks categories in recent years, leading to steady consumer demand and robust growth in volume terms. Both the off- and on-trade channels enjoyed growth in…

Kids' cereals have long been a popular choice among parents, as they offer a convenient and enjoyable breakfast option for their children. In 2023, innovation from established brands is driving consumer interest, such as General Mill’s Trix Bunnies…

This report assesses the business environment in Costa Rica, focusing on the regulatory environment, stability of the financial system, FDI intake, labour market flexibility and skillset, trade openness, mobility infrastructure, ICT adoption and…

Current value sales are expected to increase, along with an overall healthy increase in volume sales. While there is still economic uncertainty, as a result of rising inflation, the growth in inflation is expected to ease. That being said, consumers…

Carbonates saw a surprisingly strong sales performance over the review period, in both the off- and on-trade channels, with volume growth remaining positive for the second consecutive year. Consumers have continued to purchase carbonates as unit…

Current value sales are expected to increase, along with a slight increase in volume sales. While there is still economic uncertainty, as a result of rising inflation, the growth in inflation is expected to ease. That being said, consumers are…

Chocolate confectionery has enjoyed robust growth during the review period, even during the COVID-19 pandemic. The upward trend continued in 2023, as the desire to indulge with chocolate confectionery remains high. Lingering concerns regarding the…

High inflation impinged on Costa Rican household budgets in 2022, prompting more consumers to trade down to cheaper cigarette brands. Often, the more economical options are illegal cigarettes that come from India and South Korea via the Colón Free…

In 2022, the return of foreign tourists supported a recovery in cigars and cigarillos, although retail volume and current value sales remained well below pre-pandemic levels. North American tourists are a key consumer base for cigars and cigarillos…