Costa Rica's Dairy Industry: A Comprehensive Analysis

The dairy industry in Costa Rica is a crucial part of its agricultural sector, significantly influenced by the Central America-Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA). This agreement has brought about major changes in the trade dynamics of dairy products.

Key Dairy Production Statistics

Number of Dairy Cattle: Approximately 360,000 dairy cattle contribute to Costa Rica's milk production capacity.

Milk Production Volume: Costa Rica produces around 1.1 billion liters of milk annually, highlighting its importance to the national economy.

Milk Processing Volume: About 900 million liters of milk are processed annually, transforming it into various dairy products.

Cheese Production Volume: The country produces approximately 40,000 metric tons of cheese per year, serving both domestic and export markets.

Milk Powder and Whey Production: Annually, Costa Rica produces about 10,000 metric tons of milk powder and whey.

Daily Milk Production: Costa Rica produces 3.3 million liters of raw milk daily across 28,000 dairy farms, most of which are small to medium-sized family operations.

Key Enterprises and Farms

Cooperativa de Productores de Leche R.L. (Dos Pinos): The largest dairy cooperative, responsible for a significant portion of the country's milk processing and production.

Florida Bebidas: A major player in the Costa Rican dairy market, known for a wide range of dairy beverages.

Various Local Dairy Farms: The country is home to numerous small and medium-sized dairy farms contributing to the milk supply.

Trade of Dairy Products

Exports: Costa Rica exports approximately 100 million liters of milk annually, primarily to neighboring Central American countries.

Imports: The country imports about 50 million liters of dairy products per year, mainly specialized milk products not produced domestically.

Significant Events in the Dairy Market

The implementation of CAFTA has reduced tariffs on both imports and exports, facilitating increased trade and competition in the dairy sector.

Advancements in dairy processing technology have enhanced efficiency and product quality, bolstering Costa Rica's position in international markets.

A WTO ruling favored Costa Rica in a trade dispute with Panama regarding import restrictions.

Overall, Costa Rica's dairy industry is a robust and dynamic sector, significantly impacting the nation's trade and economy while navigating new opportunities and challenges brought by CAFTA.

Modified: 2025/02/05

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