In the last fifteen years, the herd in the country has grown 300%, and it is reported that in some store chains the demand for meat and other buffalo products exceeds the supply.
Between 2004 and 2019, the number of buffaloes has increased considerably, from 3,000 to 12,000 heads, and according to estimates by the National Technical University (NTU), there are currently some 270 production farms in the country.
In Costa Rica, producers of buffalo, rabbit and lamb meat sell their products through restaurants and some supermarkets, in response to growth in consumption which has been noted in recent years.
The sophistication of consumption, hand in hand with a greater diversification in the gastronomic supply at restaurants has been pushing up demand for nontraditional meats, such as rabbit, buffalo and lamb.
On May 5th-6th breeders from different countries will meet in Costa Rica to discuss issues of reproduction, marketing and sustainability in the production of buffalo meat.
From a press release issued by the Costa Rican Association of Buffalo Breeders:
"At this time when the country continues to grow steadily in the development of the buffalo cattle, Costa Rica will be hosting the VII Buffalo Breeders Symposium of the Americas and Europe, which will bring together experts breeders from different countries around the world to cover four major themes during their meeting: Marketing and Sales, Legislation, Health and Reproduction and Entrepreneurship and sustainability.