It is understood that Costa Rica’s economy is based on coffee production, and it is known for its rich coffee tradition and high-quality coffee beans. But today, the country’s coffee industry is affected by many issues.

Moreover, many multinational companies are very willing to recruit employees in Costa Rica. As a result, industry insiders point out that nowadays, the children of many coffee farmers have more job options, and from an income perspective, other industries are more attractive than coffee cultivation. It can be said that Costa Rica is focusing more on the development of the service sector, while agriculture has taken a back seat.

According to local rural residents, most people from Nicaragua have already migrated to the United States, and many are unwilling to stay in Costa Rica for seasonal labor. Some farms have well-maintained equipment, provide accommodation and meals, and are even willing to pay double wages, yet it remains difficult to find workers.

Currently, there are two prevailing views within Costa Rica regarding the future of the country’s coffee industry. On one hand, some believe that the coffee sector still holds great potential and, with more investment and support, could overcome its current challenges and thrive.

However, others believe that with the development and changes in the global coffee market, Costa Rica’s coffee industry is at risk of falling behind, especially for smallholder farmers and some traditional coffee-producing regions.

In response, industry insiders say that the main issue is that the Costa Rican government no longer considers the coffee industry as important as it once was, and has shifted its focus from agriculture to other areas of economic development. This has led to losses for some large coffee processing facilities, and ultimately, Costa Rica may end up like its neighbor Panama—a coffee-producing country with low output but high-value beans.