USDA Breakthrough Opens Dairy Export Path to Costa Rica
In a significant boost for the American dairy sector, Costa Rica has approved the first U.S. dairy facility for export under a simplified new process.
This development signals improved trade access to Costa Rica’s $130 million dairy market, led by USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins.
This registration was completed on May 22, 2025, by Costa Rica’s National Animal Health Service (SENASA), under its new streamlined system for foreign dairy imports. It is the first such approval and serves as a gateway for future U.S. dairy exports to Costa Rica.
“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.
This success joins a series of recent USDA victories in global trade. USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) has helped India cut tariffs on U.S. Bourbon by half, unlocking an expected $2 million growth in distilled spirit exports.
FAS also worked with Panama to exclude U.S. pork from its import quota system and supported a 65,000-metric-ton soybean sale to Pakistan following the removal of a biotech ban.
Additionally, FAS helped Japan ease testing rules for U.S. almonds, which may boost almond exports to Japan by up to 10 percent.
These actions reflect USDA’s strong commitment to growing U.S. agriculture exports and reducing international trade hurdles. The Costa Rica approval is expected to be the first of many for U.S. dairy under the new system.
For more information, visit fsa.usda.gov.