Costa Rica's Dairy Industry: A Comprehensive Analysis

Key Dairy Production Statistics

Costa Rica is home to approximately 360,000 dairy cattle, contributing significantly to the nation's milk production capacity. Annually, the country produces around 1.1 billion liters of milk, underscoring its importance to the national economy. Out of this, about 900 million liters are processed into various dairy products.

The cheese production volume in Costa Rica is approximately 40,000 metric tons per year, catering to both domestic and export markets. Additionally, the country produces about 10,000 metric tons of milk powder and whey annually. Daily milk production stands at 3.3 million liters of raw milk, managed across 28,000 dairy farms, most of which are small to medium-sized family operations.

Key Enterprises and Farms

The largest dairy cooperative in Costa Rica is the Cooperativa de Productores de Leche R.L. (Dos Pinos), which plays a crucial role in the country's milk processing and production. Another major player is Florida Bebidas, known for its wide range of dairy beverages. Numerous small and medium-sized local dairy farms also contribute significantly to the milk supply.

Trade of Dairy Products

Costa Rica exports approximately 100 million liters of milk annually, primarily to neighboring Central American countries. On the import side, the country brings in 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 the Central America-Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) has been a pivotal event, reducing tariffs on both imports and exports, thus facilitating increased trade and competition in the dairy sector. Advancements in dairy processing technology have further enhanced efficiency and product quality, strengthening Costa Rica's position in international markets.

In a significant development, a WTO ruling favored Costa Rica in a trade dispute with Panama regarding import restrictions. However, Costa Rican dairy producers have expressed criticism of the government's decision to ease import regulations for U.S. dairy products. The Costa Rican National Chamber of Milk Producers (CNPL) has voiced its "surprise, concern, and indignation" at the government's unilateral decision to relax import approval procedures for these products.

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

Modified: 2025/05/18


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