Costa Rica’s coffee exports to Europe surpass U.S. for first time amid rising prices 

COSTA RICA – Costa Rica has exported more coffee to Europe than to the United States in 2024, signaling a major shift in the trade dynamics of one of the country’s most valuable commodities. 

According to data from the Foreign Trade Promoter (PROCOMER), Europe received 27,494 tons of Costa Rican coffee, accounting for 42.6% of total shipments, while the United States imported 25,759 tons (40%).  

This marks the first time that European purchases have exceeded those of the U.S., which has traditionally been Costa Rica’s top coffee buyer. 

Guillermo Zúñiga Arias, Director of Commercial Intelligence at PROCOMER, attributed the change to Europe’s growing confidence in Costa Rican coffee. “This shift reflects the quality and sustainability of our product,” Zúñiga stated. 

Gustavo Jiménez, President of the Costa Rican Coffee Institute (Icafé), welcomed the development, calling it “very good news” and noting that new European environmental regulations may have contributed to the shift. 

The European Green Pact, a set of sustainability regulations enacted by the EU, requires that imports like coffee be free from links to deforestation.  

Costa Rica has aligned with these standards, shipping its first 19 tons of certified deforestation-free coffee to Italy in March 2024. 

“The increase in European purchases shows we’re ready for these changes in international trade,” Jiménez said. 

Despite a slight decline in total coffee export volumes between 2020 and 2024, Zúñiga emphasized that Costa Rican coffee continues to maintain or even increase its value, particularly in European and Asian markets, where buyers prioritize high-quality beans. 

Global coffee price surge 

The shift in export destinations coincides with a period of surging global coffee prices, driven by reduced production in key growing regions such as Brazil.  

Arabica coffee prices have soared by 70 percent, putting pressure on suppliers and limiting the ability of traders to pass costs onto retailers. 

At the U.S. National Coffee Association’s annual convention in Houston, industry leaders expressed concern over the rapid price surge since November 2023. 

Renan Chueiri, Director General at ELCAFE CA in Ecuador, noted that for the first time, the instant coffee maker had not sold its expected annual production by March, a departure from previous years. 

“The big price increase eats clients’ cash flow—they don’t have all the money to buy what they need,” Chueiri said. 

As global coffee supply tightens, Costa Rica’s increasing exports to Europe may position the country favorably in premium markets that prioritize sustainability and high-quality beans. 

Sign up HERE to receive our email newsletters with the latest news and insights from Africa and around the world, and follow us on our WhatsApp channel for updates.