Tag: U.S.-Mexico Binational Meetings

NMPF Strengthens Partnerships in Latin America

Posted on by Rachel Ravencraft

NMPF and USDEC led a delegation of U.S. dairy industry leaders to Guanajuato, Mexico for the eighth annual U.S.-Mexico Dairy Binational event July 29-30, building on a longstanding partnership to mutually grow demand and address shared issues with the United States’ largest dairy trading partner. Producers from Dairy Farmers of America and Land O’Lakes joined the event.

Coming on the heels of the third round of USMCA negotiations with Mexico, the two industries reaffirmed their commitment to collectively growing the U.S. and Mexican dairy markets, limiting trade barriers and promoting the image of dairy. Participants also included a new commitment to collaboratively support the next generation of dairy farmers.

Further south, NMPF and USDEC signed a new Memorandum of Understanding with the Association of Livestock Producers of the Highlands and Eastern Region (AGSO), a major agricultural cooperative based in Ecuador, on July 13 in Quito. The agreement deepens ties between the U.S. and Ecuadorian dairy sectors and commits the parties to cooperate on knowledge-sharing, dairy consumption promotion, productivity improvements, and coordinated engagement in international forums like Codex and the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization. The MOU includes a shared commitment to defend common food names such as “parmesan” and oppose foreign efforts to restrict their use.

The agreement is the latest step in NMPF’s sustained push across Latin America, building on momentum from the U.S.-Ecuador Agreement on Reciprocal Trade which will lower dairy tariffs and address nontariff barriers to trade. As global pressure mounts on common names and market access, NMPF continues cultivating regional relationships to strengthen U.S. dairy’s footprint and defend shared industry interests across Latin America.

U.S., Mexican Dairy Leaders Deepen Partnership as USMCA Talks Continue

Posted on by Rachel Ravencraft

Dairy leaders from the United States and Mexico concluded the 2026 U.S.-Mexico Binational Dairy Summit today with a renewed commitment to strengthening collaboration between the two countries’ dairy sectors, reaffirming shared priorities on trade, innovation and the future of dairy farming against the backdrop of U.S.-Mexico negotiations related to the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).

Held July 29-31 in Querétaro, Mexico, the event brought together dairy industry leaders from the National Milk Producers Federation, the U.S. Dairy Export Council and leading Mexican dairy organizations to discuss issues affecting producers, processors and consumers in both countries.

Participants reaffirmed key principles as part of the eighth annual dairy binational event, supporting policies that promote dairy sector growth and competitiveness in both countries and encouraging continued dialogue and cooperation on issues of mutual interest. The organizations also adopted a new shared principle recognizing the importance of supporting the next generation of dairy farmers in both countries through the exchange of information and experience while creating new opportunities to collaborate on issues critical to the future of the dairy sector.

“The dairy trade relationship between the United States and Mexico is a true success story as our industries have grown in parallel for over three decades” Gregg Doud, president and CEO of NMPF, said. “Central to that success is an open dialogue. We look forward to continuing work together to address shared challenges and develop our markets together.”

“Strong industry partnerships complement strong trade relationships,” Krysta Harden, president and CEO of USDEC, said. “Our continued collaboration helps ensure dairy producers and processors in both countries are well positioned to meet growing demand and strengthen the dairy sector in the United States and Mexico. We appreciate Mexico hosting this important event and we look forward to maintaining this critical relationship to support our farmers on both sides of the border.”

The organizations agreed to expand collaboration in the months ahead, with particular attention to supporting young dairy farmers, promoting dairy’s nutritional benefits and maintaining open communication as the USMCA review process advances.

The summit followed the third round of U.S.-Mexico negotiations related to the USMCA, in which NMPF and USDEC participated as advisors to U.S. trade negotiators, underscoring the importance of continued industry engagement as the two governments work to strengthen the bilateral trading relationship.

NMPF Meets with U.S.-Mexico Dairy Working Group

Posted on by Theresa Sweeney

NMPF Executive Vice President Jaime Castaneda spent Dec. 3-6 in Mexico City, meeting with the U.S.-Mexico Working Group and strengthening ties with local Mexican dairy producers and industry organizations.

The Working Group is an outgrowth of prior U.S.-Mexico Binational Meetings. It convenes at the working level to share more in-depth knowledge and ideas on how to increase dairy consumption and expand trade between the two countries.

Castaneda met with dairy companies, farmer organizations and government officials to encourage Mexico to engage with the new U.S. administration to find solutions to issues of common concern, such as immigration and trade, rather than escalate tensions. He emphasized that the best means for Mexico to address the legitimate concerns raised by the incoming Trump administration is to work collaboratively.

NMPF, in partnership with the U.S. Dairy Export Council and other agricultural organizations, is working to facilitate the conversations and ensure agriculture trade does not become collateral damage in broader disputes among the U.S. government and its partners.