Costa Rica has become the largest exporter of coffee to Europe, surpassing the US for the first time in history in 2024. European countries imported 27,494 tons, while the US imported 25,759 tons. The shift aligns with increasing demand for high-quality coffee and preparation for the forthcoming EUDR legislation regarding deforestation. Costa Rican farmers are focusing on premium products to stay competitive amid regulatory changes.
In a historic development, Costa Rica has exported more coffee to Europe than to the United States for the first time in 2024, according to data from the nation’s Foreign Trade Promoter (PROCOMER). European nations imported 27,494 tons of Costa Rican coffee, accounting for 42.6% of total shipments, with Belgium, Switzerland, and Germany emerging as the largest importers, while the US imported 25,759 tons, representing 40% of total exports.
Despite a slight decline in total export volumes over the last four years, Costa Rican coffee farmers are focusing on high-quality production, driven by increased demand for premium and specialty coffee in Europe and Asia. Both PROCOMER and the Costa Rican Coffee Institute (ICAFE) view these figures as a sign of growing European confidence in Costa Rican coffee amidst the impending EUDR laws scheduled to take effect on December 30, 2025.
Gustavo Jiménez, President of ICAFE, remarked, “Last year, we sold more coffee to Europe than to the US, our main buyer historically. The increase in European purchases shows we’re ready for these changes in international trade.” This data is particularly significant for supporters of the EUDR law, which mandates EU businesses importing commodities linked to deforestation, such as coffee, to provide a due diligence statement proving their imports have not contributed to forest degradation since December 31, 2020.
In November 2024, the European Council decided to delay the law’s implementation due to concerns over the preparedness of coffee producers and the potential risks to coffee supply chains. Costa Rica has actively prepared its coffee exports to be EUDR compliant, as demonstrated by the March 2024 shipment of deforestation-free coffee to Italy’s illycaffè. Additionally, in April 2024, Aquiares Estate became the first Rainforest Alliance Certified coffee farm in Costa Rica to export compliant coffee to Barcelona’s Nomad Coffee.
With over 27,300 family groups producing coffee in Costa Rica, 85% of whom are smallholder farmers, coffee remains the nation’s third largest export after medical equipment and fruit.
The significant shift in Costa Rica’s coffee export market underscores the country’s adaptability to evolving international trade dynamics, particularly regarding new environmental regulations. With Europe’s growing demand for high-quality coffees, Costa Rican farmers are poised to meet these challenges. The proactive efforts to ensure compliance with the EUDR legislation demonstrate a commitment to sustainability while maintaining access to critical export markets.
Original Source: www.worldcoffeeportal.com
