Production and export potential of cricket powder in Costa Rica: an exploratory study

Due to its environmental conditions, its efforts towards sustainability and the current cricket rearing activities, the industrial production of edible cricket powder is seen as an economic opportunity for Costa Rica. The feasibility of such a project was explored through a two-stage qualitative research. First, the market needs, product and production requirements were investigated through semi-structured interviews to possible buyers and producers, a visit to an industrial cricket powder production plant and a desk study. During the second stage, the entopreneurial ecosystem in Costa Rica was explored through semi structured interviews to local experts and entopreneurs in order to evaluate the feasibility of complying with the requirements identified in the first stage. Results show that Mexico and the United States are the main potential markets for Costa Rica. The main buyers are food and pet food producers with an average demand of 0.5-2 tons of cricket powder per month. A validated protein content, a gluten-free product and a neutral aroma are key product requirements. For the production, it is required to have an enclosed facility, with temperature and humidity control and a proper food safety and quality management system in place. It is concluded that the current entopreneurial ecosystem in Costa Rica does not allow to meet the international market needs required for commercialising cricket powder. Challenges like the current low production capability, high price, the lack of technical experts and specific regulation on insect production must still be overcome. Though, the main opportunities that would allow such a production are the existent local knowledge on rearing insects, well-established academic, research, and export promotion institutions, governmental small and medium enterprises support programs and the local expertise on exporting butterflies. The creation of an association that defines a national strategy is seen as a necessary step to boost the sector.