disaster
GIEWS Country Brief: The Republic of Costa Rica 09-July-2026
By Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations at ReliefWeb
· July 13, 2026
· 4 min read
. FOOD SECURITY SNAPSHOT Plantings of 2026 main season crop below average due to low prices and high production costs Paddy production estimated below average in 2025 Cereal import requirements estimated about 25 percent above average in 2025/26 Rice prices lower year-on-year in May 2026 Plantings o
Key takeaway The strong appreciation trend of the Costa Rican colón against the United States dollar between February and June 2026, compounded by declining international quotations, further pressured domestic prices down.
Why this matters
The situation in Costa Rica highlights the complex interplay between global market trends, weather patterns, and local agricultural production. The decline in paddy production, exacerbated by El Niño-related dry weather conditions, is likely to further increase the country's reliance on cereal imports. With import requirements estimated to be 25 percent above average, the feeding sector's high demand will put additional pressure on the country's food security. The strong appreciation of the Costa Rican colón against the US dollar has also made imports more convenient, but this may not necessarily benefit local farmers. The removal of reference prices and reduced import tariffs on rice in 2022 has already curtailed the profitability of domestic paddy production, and the current trends may worsen the situation. As a result, Christian charities and faith-based organizations involved in disaster relief and food security efforts may need to increase their support to vulnerable communities in Costa Rica, particularly in the Chorotega and Brunca regions.
About this story
Original reporting by ReliefWeb . Christgiving surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit ReliefWeb . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: disaster ·
Published: July 13, 2026 ·
Source: ReliefWeb ·
Reading time: 4 min
Get more Christgiving stories like this
Free weekly briefing covering disaster and other local news. Curated by our editorial team. No spam.
By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy . Unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? . FOOD SECURITY SNAPSHOT Plantings of 2026 main season crop below average due to low prices and high production costs Paddy production estimated below average in 2025 Cereal import requirements estimated about 25 percent above average in 2025/26 Rice prices lower year-on-year in May 2026 Plantings o
When was this published? This article was first published on July 13, 2026 by ReliefWeb and curated for Christgiving readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations at ReliefWeb. To learn more about how Christgiving selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more disaster coverage from Christgiving, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .