Costa Rica is the country that uses the most pesticides per hectare, according to the FAO. Organic agriculture, which seeks to make the most of natural resources in a circular system, represents 1.9% of the total national agricultural area.

In 2023, in two towns in the province of Cartago, around 10,000 people were left without access to drinking water after an aqueduct was contaminated with the pesticide Chlorothalonil. All organic producers must be certified by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock.