Costa Rica’s butterfly trade takes flight worldwide: Video
Costa Rica has emerged as one of the world’s leading exporters of butterfly pupae, turning biodiversity into a niche but thriving industry.
The trade involves around 400 families, mostly in rural farming communities, and generates an estimated three million US dollars annually by supplying butterflies to museums, zoos and educational centres across the globe.
At the heart of the industry is Butterfly Kingdom, a butterfly farm based in San José that combines exhibition with commercial breeding and exports. Among the dozens of species cultivated, the Blue Morpho stands out as the most sought-after, prized internationally for its large size and striking iridescent blue wings. Pupae raised across the country are collected and prepared there for shipment to destinations in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East and beyond.
Butterfly farming has developed into a decentralised production chain that relies heavily on small-scale rural participation. Families raise different species on minimal plots of land, often little more than a backyard, before sending the pupae to the capital, where exporters manage inspections, documentation and international logistics. The low land and investment requirements make the activity an accessible source of steady income.
Costa Rica currently exports around 70 butterfly species, with the Blue Morpho leading the market. The model reflects the country’s long-standing focus on conservation-based entrepreneurship, transforming its rich ecosystems into sustainable economic opportunities while maintaining strong demand in global cultural and tourism institutions.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
