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Costa Rica

Our coffees from Costa Rica

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Costa Rica's Coffee Industry

Costa Rica produces exclusively Arabica coffee, with the 2023/24 harvest yielding approximately 1.25 million 60-kg bags, of which 1.02 million were exported. Robusta is not commercially cultivated. Coffee exports generated $456 million in 2023, with key destinations including the United States, Switzerland, Germany, Belgium, and Japan.

Europe recently overtook the US as Costa Rica’s top coffee market, driven by demand for premium and deforestation-free coffee.

Climate change is a major threat to Costa Rican coffee. Regions like Los Santos have seen harvests drop by as much as 20% due to erratic rainfall, fungal diseases, and soil erosion. Rising temperatures and unpredictable weather patterns disrupt flowering and fruit development, while heavy rains increase the risk of coffee rust and anthracnose. Labour shortages, exacerbated by Nicaragua’s strict border policies, have left many farms understaffed during harvest. These challenges are compounded by high production costs and a strong local currency, which reduces export competitiveness.

Costa Rica’s coffee sector is structured around smallholder farms, with 85% of producers cultivating less than five hectares. The country has pioneered micro-mill processing and environmental sustainability programs, supported by ICAFE and CATIE. Specialty coffee accounts for a growing share of exports, with producers focusing on traceability, high-altitude cultivation, and differentiated profiles. Production is concentrated in regions like Tarrazú, with larger cooperatives and estates managing bulk exports.

For UK and EU Buyers

Sea freight from Puerto Limón to London Gateway typically takes around 25 days. Costa Rica’s logistics infrastructure supports both bulk and speciality shipments, with increasing emphasis on compliance with EU sustainability regulations.

Costa Rica remains a strategic origin for UK and EU buyers seeking high-quality Arabica, but sourcing requires attention to climate resilience, labour dynamics, and evolving production models.