US Dairy Industry Strengthens Ties with Mexico and Ecuador
The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) and the U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC) have taken significant steps to strengthen their trade relationships in Latin America. During the eighth annual U.S.-Mexico Dairy Binational meeting held on July 29-30, 2026, in Guanajuato, Mexico, a joint delegation from the U.S. dairy industry reaffirmed its commitments under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). This summit underscored the United States' dedication to expanding dairy consumption across North America, eliminating non-tariff trade barriers, and protecting the reputation of dairy products.
A key outcome of the summit was the establishment of a joint initiative aimed at fostering the next generation of dairy farmers in both the U.S. and Mexico. This initiative is intended to ensure the continued development and sustainability of the dairy industry in the region.
Building on their North American efforts, NMPF and USDEC signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on July 13 with the Association of Livestock Producers of the Highlands and Eastern Region (AGSO) in Ecuador. This agreement aims to enhance collaboration between the American and Ecuadorian dairy sectors in areas such as technical knowledge-sharing, milk consumption campaigns, on-farm productivity, and policy alignment in global forums like Codex Alimentarius and the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization.
A significant aspect of the U.S.-Ecuador agreement is the joint defense of common food names. In response to international regulatory efforts, particularly from the European Union, to restrict geographical indications on generic cheese terms, both parties committed to preserving commercial access for terms like “parmesan” across Western Hemisphere markets.
The collaboration with AGSO is part of NMPF's broader strategy to secure market access throughout Latin America. By forging institutional ties with key producer groups in countries including Mexico, Ecuador, Colombia, Brazil, and Argentina, the U.S. dairy leadership aims to build a regional coalition to support fair trade, resist protectionist barriers, and drive increased dairy demand.
