Market
Fresh avocado in Costa Rica is primarily a domestic consumption market supplied by a combination of limited domestic production and large imports under HS 080440 (avocados, fresh or dried). UN Comtrade data accessed via the World Bank WITS platform shows Mexico was the largest external supplier to Costa Rica in 2023, with Peru, Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic also supplying notable volumes. Domestic Hass production is documented in the highland Zona de Los Santos, where production systems and farm economics have been studied by Costa Rica’s INTA/UCR researchers. Market access and continuity are highly sensitive to SFE phytosanitary import requirements and Costa Rica’s history of avocado SPS measures (including a WTO dispute related to Avocado sunblotch viroid).
Market RoleNet importer
Domestic RoleDomestic consumption market with limited domestic production (highland Hass), supplemented by imports.
Risks
Regulatory Compliance HighPhytosanitary policy and market access can change abruptly for fresh avocado origins: Costa Rica has a documented history of SPS measures on fresh avocado imports related to Avocado sunblotch viroid (ASBVd), including a WTO dispute (DS524) concerning measures affecting imports from Mexico.Confirm current SFE import requirements for the exact origin/zone and product presentation before contracting and shipping; keep alternative approved origins pre-qualified to reduce disruption risk.
Documentation Gap MediumImport clearance is sensitive to documentary compliance and inspection outcomes; if documentation is incomplete/inconsistent or quarantine issues are found, SFE guidance indicates measures may include re-expedition, treatment, or destruction of the shipment.Run a pre-shipment document and label review against the issued SFE Formulario de Requisitos Fitosanitarios and ensure the phytosanitary certificate matches shipment details (origin, presentation, lot identifiers).
Food Safety MediumSFE guidance indicates non-processed plant products must comply with applicable maximum residue limits (LMR), creating a compliance and hold risk if residues exceed the destination requirements.Require supplier residue-management records and use risk-based pre-export residue testing aligned to the destination’s MRL expectations where feasible.
Market Supply MediumCosta Rica is a net importer of avocados; import dependence increases exposure to disruptions in key supplier countries and to regulatory changes affecting eligibility of specific origins.Diversify approved sourcing across multiple origins and maintain flexible procurement (multi-origin programs and contingency contracts).
FAQ
Which documents are commonly required to import fresh avocado into Costa Rica?SFE guidance for importing fresh plant products highlights the need to obtain the SFE Formulario de Requisitos Fitosanitarios (via PROCOMER’s VUCE) and to present the original official phytosanitary certificate, along with core commercial and transport documents (e.g., invoice and bill of lading/air waybill) for documentary and physical inspection at the point of entry.
Why is regulatory risk considered high for fresh avocado in Costa Rica?Costa Rica’s avocado trade has been affected by phytosanitary measures linked to Avocado sunblotch viroid (ASBVd), and this has been the subject of a WTO dispute (DS524). That history signals that SPS requirements and origin eligibility can be a decisive factor for market access.
Which countries have recently been major suppliers of avocados to Costa Rica?UN Comtrade data accessed via the World Bank WITS platform indicates that Mexico was the top exporter of HS 080440 avocados to Costa Rica in 2023, with Peru, Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic also among the leading suppliers by value and/or volume.