Concentrates only registers minimal volume growth in what is seen as a staid product area, with limited innovation. Concentrates key USP is its affordability and the competitive prices offered by private label sees them gain ground.

Slight fall in volume sales, partly due to a significant decline in tourist numbers. Reduced sugar offerings fare better and there will be a further boost in reduced sugar offerings over forecast period, as consumers become more health conscious,

RTD tea remains a sizeable product area, though volume sales growth is flat in 2025,as lower tourist numbers have an impact However, the outlook is positive, with RTD tea perceived as healthier than carbonates, and there will be a focus on reduced sugar and added functional benefits.

While volume sales are still low, RTD coffee registers moderate volume growth. The entry of Dos Pinos, with its Me Latte brand in 2024, has given the product area a boost. Over the forecast period, RTD coffee will register modest volume growth, though there will be limited innovation, with leading player Dos Pinos continuing to coverage its wide distribution network to boost awareness.

Volume sales fall, as temporary issues with tap water are resolved. Flavoured tap water makes gains, as does private label, though competitive landscape remains high fragmented. Over the forecast period, bottled water should benefit from consumers cutting down on sugary soft drinks. Sustainability in terms of packaging will also be a key issue.

Muted volume growth, with significant drop in tourist numbers having an impact. Consumers are increasingly health conscious and look for functional benefits, as well as lower sugar content. The outlook is positive over the forecast period, supported by a growing economy, but there are headwinds.

Energy drinks continues to register healthy volume growth, with constant flavours innovations and clever marketing strategies keeping the consumer base engaged. The outlook is also positive, though rising concerns about high caffeine, sugar and additive content could pose a challenge over the long term.

Price increases dampen volume sales. That being said, there is a shift towards juice with a healthier positioning, such as not from concentrate 100% juice. Private label is gaining volume share, though from a low base. Coconut water is predicted to perform strongly over forecast period, as it is perceived as natural, as well as hydrating.

Healthy volume growth, as sports drinks consumer base widen beyond athletes, and is also increasingly seen as a wellness drink. Supermarkets lead in terms is distribution, but e-commerce and pharmacies are making gains.

Coffee remains Costa Rica’s most popular drinks, though surging prices dampen volume sales in 2025. That being said, there is also increasing demand for more premium offerings, as well as coffee with local provenance. Over the forecast period, a growing economy will support value and volume growth. While value sales will remain relatively low for tea and other hot drinks, offerings will functional benefits will drive growth.

Coffee, and in particular fresh coffee, continues to be Costa Rica’s most popular hot drink. However, volume growth is more muted in 2025, due to soaring coffee prices. That being said, the outlook is positive for coffee in Costa Rica, with sustainability and local provenance at its core.

There continues to be little thirst for tea in Costa Rica, with only minimal volume growth, and players frequently offering promotions to support volume sales. However green tea performs well, as consumers perceive it as being healthier. Over the forecast period, teas with functional benefits will perform better.

Chocolate-based flavoured powder drinks continue to dominate other hot drinks, in what is a consolidated competitive landscape. Over the forecast period, there is potential to tap into a growing demand for healthier options.

Costa Rica is experiencing a more unstable political landscape and a less peaceful environment, but government finances remain controlled. Tourism is struggling, as is ageing infrastructure, whilst the economy is moderating, but inflation is not an issue. Growing incomes will drive the consumer market and the population is more educated than peers, but social mobility is not progressing. Solid internet use will support e-commerce and connectivity is a focus, but innovation is lacking.

As price-sensitive consumers continue to seek savings, bag packaging has become increasingly popular in breakfast cereals in Costa Rica. However, these low-cost offerings are failing to attract consumers, and many are opting instead for alternatives such as baked goods, or healthier options like eggs, yoghurt and fruit.

Costa Ricans remain highly price sensitive in 2025, continuing to seek lower-priced items. At the same time, growing health awareness is influencing preferences toward products made with cleaner, more natural ingredients. Artisanal, unpackaged baked goods are becoming increasingly specialised in modern retail outlets, posing strong competition to packaged alternatives. However, packaged bread continues to experience growth as consumers value its convenience.

As fresh produce is widely available throughout Costa Rica, processed fruit and vegetables are usually only purchased when fresh items are unavailable. Growth in 2025 is supported by an increased variety of products in retailers, and the convenience and all-year-round availability of processed products.

In 2025, Costa Rican consumers continue to favour pasta, rice, and noodles as affordable and filling meal options amid ongoing financial pressure. Noodles leads category growth, driven by convenience, flavour variety, and the rise of spicy and ethnic options. Demand for healthier, organic, and clean-label products is expanding, while premium and specialty imports remain limited by price sensitivity.

Chilled processed red meat remains popular in Costa Rica in 2025, with a variety of flavour options available in modern grocery retailers across the country to cater to diverse consumer preferences. However, as health consciousness grows, more higher-income consumers are increasing their fish consumption or adopting vegetarian or vegan diets. Health-aware consumers are also increasingly focusing on cleaner ingredient lists, looking for simpler, more natural ingredients.

As food inflation and cost-of-living struggles persist, and global supply uncertainty intensifies (exacerbated by the US administration's trade approach), Costa Ricans are seeking affordable staple foods. High prices were already a challenge for the industry due to climate change and geopolitical conflict. While unit price fluctuations in staple foods in 2025 are not as strong as those seen previously, consumers remain highly price conscious and look for promotions or cheaper products.

In keeping with the trend evident across many other areas of the local packaged food market, Costa Ricans continue to show strong interest in sauces, dips and condiments with more distinctive and exotic flavour profiles in 2025. There is also rising interest in better-for-you options, particularly in categories like ketchup and mayonnaise.

While demand for more sophisticated and specialised varieties is on the rise among higher-income consumers, most Costa Ricans consider edible oils to be interchangeable. Price therefore remains the most influential factor in purchasing decisions in 2025. The lion’s share of retail volume sales continues to be generated by soy oil and other edible oils, both of which offer wide assortments of cheaper blended products.

Most Costa Ricans continue to prefer traditional and classic jam and preserve flavours such as strawberry and guava; however, there is growing interest in premium and exotic varieties, including fig and black cherry. Chocolate spreads also continue to gain popularity, as do convenient and more affordable doy packs. In addition, higher-income, health-conscious consumers are increasingly seeking natural, organic, and low-sugar alternatives.

High prices were already a challenge for the industry due to climate change and geopolitical conflict. While unit price fluctuations in cooking ingredients and meals in 2025 are not as strong as those seen previously, Costa Ricans remain highly price conscious and look for promotions or cheaper products. With budgets stretched, they have less brand loyalty, and often seek savings and choose outlets where they know they can get items at a lower cost. While indulgence and product innovation attrac