Browse Data and Analysis

Production of genetically engineered products (primarily cotton for seed and pink pineapples) is expected to increase in 2025 as new cotton events are expected to be approved by the National Technical Biosafety Commission.

Industry experts expect a November 11, 2023, update to the Costa Rican biotechnology regulatory framework will facilitate utilization of innovative biotechnologies and reduce barriers to common applications of modern biotechnology.

Genetically engineered crop area planted increased in 2023, though it remained small and limited to cotton for seed and pink pineapples.

Though area planted with genetically engineered crops continued to fall in 2022, expanded operations of another cottonseed producer, opportunities to increase pink pineapple exports, and a new government opposed to ‘red tape’ could reverse this trend in 2023. While neither livestock nor other animal producers in Costa Rica appear interested in animal biotechnology applications at this time, a regulatory structure exists.

Transgenic seed varieties have been grown in Costa Rica since 1992. All of the seeds are exported to the United States.

Transgenic seed varieties have been grown in Costa Rica since 1992 with all seeds being exported to other countries.

Transgenic seed varieties have been grown in Costa Rica since 1992 with all seeds being exported to other countries.

Transgenic seed varieties have been grown in Costa Rica since 1992 with all seeds being exported to other countries.

Transgenic seed varieties have been grown in Costa Rica since 1992 with all seeds being exported to other countries.

Agricultural biotechnology continues to face challenges in Costa Rica.

Seeds derived from modern biotechnology have been grown in Costa Rica for multiplication purposes since 1992, with all seeds being exported to the country of origin.

Recent high-profile activism against biotechnology has created uncertainty among those involved in production and research of biotechnology products in Costa Rica.