By Jamie Martin
The United States has secured a major trade win for American dairy producers as Costa Rica approved the first U.S. dairy facility under a new approval system.
This move, led by U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, opens the door to increased market access and opportunities in a growing $130 million market.
“Under President Trump’s leadership, USDA is putting Farmers First. Securing greater market access for American dairy farmers is a much-needed win for the U.S. dairy industry and will give our producers better increased access to a $130 million market in Costa Rica,” said Secretary Rollins.
The Costa Rican National Animal Health Service (SENASA) officially registered the first U.S. dairy cooperative on May 22, 2025.
This registration falls under Costa Rica’s new streamlined approval process, designed to reduce non-tariff barriers and simplify entry for foreign dairy products. The decision ensures that a key $60 million market in 2024 is not lost and is instead expanded.
The achievement is part of broader USDA efforts to open global markets to American products.
Recent accomplishments include India reducing tariffs on U.S. Bourbon by 50 percent, Panama exempting U.S. pork from its import quotas, and Pakistan lifting a ban on genetically engineered U.S. soybeans, leading to a 65,000 metric ton sale.
In addition, Japan has eased aflatoxin testing on U.S. almonds, potentially increasing U.S. almond exports to Japan by 8-10 percent annually.
These actions reflect the USDA and Foreign Agricultural Service's (FAS) commitment to eliminating trade barriers and supporting American agriculture worldwide. The approval in Costa Rica sets the stage for more U.S. dairy facilities to enter the market under this simplified system.
Photo Credit: usda
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