The primary product of Costa Rica is tourism but that is not to say that this is the only industry worthy of investment in this tiny but flourishing country. The economy of Costa Rica is also heavily reliant on agricultural exports – which includes well known staples such as bananas, pineapples, and mangoes, to name a few.

This opens up a range of investment opportunities for investors considering entering the farming industry that are easy to manage and will supplement their income years after they have recouped the initial investment.

If an investment of an agricultural variety is on the cards then the savvy investor should definitely cast their eye over another agricultural product of which Costa Rica is famous for — coffee. According to the International Coffee Organization the demand for coffee is on the rise.

With countries like India, China, and Latin America becoming more westernized — a trend which includes a taste for coffee — the demand for this popular beverage is set to increase by 25% over the next five years.

The current yearly intake of coffee consists of 141.6 million bags of beans. By the time that 2020 rolls around this figure is set to increase to 175.8 million bags of beans. With Brazil — the current leader in world coffee exports – struggling to maintain its levels of production due to drought and disease – the average price of coffee is also set to increase.

Bad news for Brazil but good news for countries who can help take up the slack. Costa Rica, with its acres of prime real estate perfectly suited to coffee farming, and a growing urban landscape providing all the comforts you are used to, may be just the place to improve your quality of life by taking advantage of this rising demand in coffee.

While 90% of Cost Rican coffee is exported to the world market there is still plenty of opportunity within the local markets as Ticos just can’t get enough of the stuff.

The native residents of Costa Rica have such a fondness for the beverage that their levels of consumption make them the highest coffee drinkers per capita of all the coffee producing countries in the world.

All of this means that there is plenty of scope for growing your investment from the local market alone.

Costa Rica produces Arabica bean coffee exclusively due to a law passed by the government. No one’s complaining though, as Arabica is held in high regard and considered superior to its main rival the Robusta coffee bean.

And, given the fact that the Arabica plant loves the volcanic soil found abundantly at high altitudes where coffee grows best, it’s a law that makes sense.

Commercially viable quantities of coffee can be grown on small farms of about 5 hectares (12 acres) but if you wanted to pursue it as a hobby even smaller areas can produce plenty enough quantity for those coffee lovers who like to experiment with texture and taste.

Every town has its own Beneficio, or processor, who roasts and packages the beans for you for a moderate fee — which makes it fairly easy to set yourself up as a supplier with your own unique blend.

There’s a risk with every investment and with coffee it’s the fluctuating world price, weather, and risk of disease, but the benefits of owning property in such a beautiful area with a high quality of living is definitely a tempting counterbalance.

Research

• http://time.com/3711436/global-coffee-increase/
• http://www.costa-rica-mountain-property.com/Mountain_Coffee.html
• http://eltucan.co.cr/index.php?id=11

Andrew Makarik

to@welovecostarica.com

Andrew Makarik is the main editor of WeLoveCostaRica, a fan of this sunny country. He is also a loving husband and a has a lovely daughter. By being a devoted family man and the biggest Costa Rica fan, he wants to make more people feel at home there. WeLoveCostaRica unites people and helps them find new home or a new travel destination. This website is a friendly community where everyone can find not only information, but also new friends and travel pals. Andrew is also passionate about IT and programming, so he himself maintains a friendly atmosphere in this cozy environment of WeLoveCostaRica.com.