Tag: latin america dairy

U.S. Dairy Strengthens Mexican Ties

Posted on by Theresa Sweeney

NMPF and the U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC) strengthened its ties with the Mexican dairy industry at the seventh annual U.S.-Mexico joint summit, held May 27–29 in Madison, WI.

U.S. producer, processing and promotion leaders throughout the dairy supply chain, including representatives from Dairy Management, Inc., Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin and the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association joined Mexican representatives including members of the National Confederation of Livestock Organizations (CNOG), Mexican Association of Milk Producers (AMLAC), National Chamber of Dairy Manufacturers (CANILEC), and National Agricultural Council (CNA).

This year’s gathering took on added importance amid an uncertain trade landscape and growing animal health concerns, including H1N1 and New World screwworm. NMPF and USDEC reaffirmed their commitment to the partnership and agreed with their Mexican counterparts on key policy areas to prioritize. These include the preservation and improvement of trade relations (including the avoidance of tariffs and/or new barriers to bilateral trade), the active defense of common food names, and the commitment to grow dairy consumption in both countries.

The event culminated in a renewed joint statement reaffirming the two industries’ commitment to working together to address shared challenges and raise the profile of dairy in both markets.

The regular meetings have reinforced the partnership between the U.S. and Mexican dairy industries since a memorandum of understanding was established in 2005. Leading U.S. and Mexican dairy organizations have used these discussions to enhance industry collaboration and strengthen dairy production in North America.

Mexico remains the top export destination for U.S. dairy products, accounting for 30% of exports by value last year. The binational meeting strengthens collaboration with one of the industry’s most critical global partners.

NMPF and USDEC Efforts Achieve Streamlined Process for U.S. Dairy Exports to Costa Rica

Posted on by Theresa Sweeney

In a key win for U.S. dairy exporters’ ability to help meet Costa Rican dairy demand, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Costa Rica’s National Animal Health Service (SENASA) have agreed to put in place a streamlined procedure for registering U.S. dairy facilities to export to Costa Rica. The new process replaces a much more cumbersome dairy facility questionnaire and lengthy registration process which Costa Rica has long maintained. The announcement was detailed in a May 23 report published by USDA.

“We are proud of supporting the great work of the USDA Foreign Agriculture Service, USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service, Food and Drug Administration and U.S. Trade Representative’s Office to painstakingly reach an understanding with Costa Rica to facilitate the export of high-quality U.S. dairy products,” said U.S. Dairy Export Council president and CEO Krysta Harden. “This important step recognizes the strength of the U.S. dairy regulatory system and deepens bilateral engagement under the CAFTA-DR at a key time for U.S.-Costa Rica trade relations.”

Dairy demand in Costa Rica is growing due to its strong economy and expanding middle class. With all dairy tariffs having reached zero this year under the Central America-Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR), opportunities are ripe for U.S. dairy exporters to expand sales that complement Costa Rican dairy production.  The new streamlined process for U.S. dairy facilities to register to sell products to Costa Rica brightens those prospects further.

“Costa Rica is an excellent trading partner, due in major part to the successful U.S.-Central American Free Trade Agreement. This breakthrough between USDA and Costa Rica’s National Animal Health Service further cements that relationship and builds on the zero-tariff trading conditions for dairy exporters that began this year,” said Gregg Doud, president and CEO of the National Milk Producers Federation.

The USDA-SENASA announcement marks the successful outcome of years of effort by USDEC’s Market Access & Regulatory Affairs team and the USDEC/NMPF Trade Policy team, together with the U.S. government, to simplify Costa Rica’s facility registration process for U.S. dairy exporters. After extensive collaboration with USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service and SENASA – including a 2024 SENASA visit to evaluate how U.S. authorities oversee dairy establishments and how U.S. facilities comply – SENASA completed its review in May 2025 and approved the first U.S. dairy facility under the new, simplified process.

NMPF Advances Dairy Export Prospects in South America

Posted on by Theresa Sweeney

NMPF’s Jaime Castaneda joined USDEC leadership and staff in Brazil July 28-31 to explore market opportunities and address trade barriers for U.S. dairy products. While there, Castaneda met with key executives, agribusiness leaders, and policymakers in São Paulo and Brasília, Brazil. The discussions in Brazil focused on the quality, safety, and sustainability of U.S. dairy products and the tariff and nontariff barriers to reaching the market.

The group then traveled on to Argentina for additional meetings Aug. 1-3.

A key focus of the mission was the signing of two Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs). NMPF and USDEC established a new MOU with Abraleite in Brazil to foster collaboration and strengthen trade relationships. The organizations also plan to renew an existing MOU with Sociedad Rural Argentina, continuing their commitment to cooperation and support for U.S. dairy exports and a unified voice at international gatherings.