Q COSTA RICA —Costa Rica’s apparent rice consumption rose to 270,594 metric tons in the 2024–2025 rice year, its highest level in more than two decades, according to the National Rice Corporation (CONARROZ).
The total was 17,039 metric tons—more than 17 million kilograms—above the previous period, when consumption stood at 253,555 metric tons.
The increase followed a dip in 2023–2024. Consumption had reached 262,062 metric tons in 2022–2023 before falling to 253,555 the following year. The latest figure is the highest in CONARROZ’s historical records dating back at least to 2003–2004, when national consumption was 214,102 metric tons.
Per-person estimate tops 50 kilograms
CONARROZ’s estimate of apparent per-capita consumption climbed from 48.18 kilograms a year in 2023–2024 to 50.74 kilograms in 2024–2025—an increase of 2.56 kilograms per person.
That is above the 50.27 kilograms recorded in 2022–2023 and the 45.35 kilograms reported in 2021–2022. Overall national consumption grew by about 6.7%, with average monthly use reaching 22,549 metric tons.
There’s an important caveat: “apparent consumption” is an estimate of rice available for domestic consumption, calculated using a methodology based on criteria from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. It does not measure how much rice each person actually eats. The 50.74-kilogram figure is therefore a national average indicator, not a direct count of individual diets.
A staple—and a supply challenge
The record points to rice’s continued importance in Costa Rican food culture, but it also raises a practical question: how will the market keep up with demand?
Costa Rica relies heavily on imports to supplement domestic supply. Juan Carlos Sandoval, general manager of La Maquila Lama, said businesses need to maintain adequate inventories and diversify suppliers to prepare for disruptions, including those linked to weather or geopolitical events.
The latest figures show a strong rebound after the previous year’s decline. They also underline the difference between a consumption estimate and actual eating habits: the national total is clear, but the per-person number is best read as a measure of estimated availability.