First U.S. Dairy Company Approved for Enhanced Export to Costa Rica
Dairy Concepts LP recognized as the first facility to benefit from streamlined registration processes under new trade agreements.
Beginning May 10, 2025, the Costa Rican National Animal Health Service (SENASA) implemented a new streamlined process for the registration of U.S. dairy plants and products, aimed at facilitating exports to Costa Rica.
This development responds to trade barriers previously cited by the administration of former U.S. President Donald Trump.
The first plant to receive approval under these updated requirements was announced on May 22, 2025, by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), which identified the facility as a cooperative.
Dairis Concepts LP has been authorized for export, as confirmed by SENASA.
Dairi Concepts LP was acquired by Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) in November 2015, which had been in a joint venture with Fonterra Cooperative Group Limited since 2000. The DFA describes itself as the largest dairy cooperative in the United States, boasting a broad production network.
Upon full acquisition, U.S. dairy industry reports indicated that Dairi Concepts specializes in the manufacturing of cheese, dairy ingredients, and dairy flavor systems, operating eight facilities across the United States.
The company positions itself as a provider of value-added solutions in the dairy ingredients market, catering to customers domestically and globally.
According to the Dairy Foods plant directory, Dairi Concepts, headquartered in Minnesota, engages in the packaging and drying of cheese products.
The approval for expedited registration of U.S. dairy plants has raised concerns among local Costa Rican dairy producers.
Data from the Costa Rican Foreign Trade Promotion Office (Procomer) shows that dairy imports from the United States surged from $37.9 million in 2023 to $59.12 million in 2024, marking a 56% increase.
As a result, the National Chamber of Dairy Producers in Costa Rica has voiced objections to the government's decision to ease the registration process for U.S. dairy plants.
Ivannia Quesada, the chamber's president, expressed their surprise and concern over the announcement, stating that the dairy sector had not been consulted or informed regarding the changes.
Dos Pinos, the leading dairy producer in Costa Rica, has indicated support for the National Chamber of Dairy Producers' position, given the sectorial implications of the new registration policies.
As of January 1, 2025, all dairy products traded between Costa Rica and the United States are exempt from tariffs, which is part of the trade liberalization process established under the Central America-Dominican Republic-United States Free Trade Agreement (DR-Cafta).
In late March 2025, the Trump administration enumerated the trade barriers maintained by Costa Rica in a National Trade Estimate (NTE) report issued by the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), just days before imposing a 10% tariff on Costa Rican products.
The report highlighted a Costa Rican regulation from 2016 that requires extensive questionnaires for certain facilities exporting animal products, including dairy, seafood, sheep, and eggs.
These issues are part of ongoing technical negotiation tables established between the two countries, initiated on May 15, 2025, during which Costa Rica seeks to suspend the 10% tariff on its exports.
On May 28, USDA Secretary Brooke L. Rollins underscored the agreement reached with the Costa Rican government to expedite the registration process for U.S. dairy plants.
"Under President Trump's leadership, the USDA prioritizes farmers.
Ensuring greater market access for U.S. dairy producers is a vital achievement for the U.S. dairy industry and will provide our producers with greater access to a $130 million market in Costa Rica," Rollins noted in a statement.
Cheese remains the top dairy product imported from the United States, with imports totaling $56 million by the end of 2024, as reported by Procomer.
This development responds to trade barriers previously cited by the administration of former U.S. President Donald Trump.
The first plant to receive approval under these updated requirements was announced on May 22, 2025, by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), which identified the facility as a cooperative.
Dairis Concepts LP has been authorized for export, as confirmed by SENASA.
Dairi Concepts LP was acquired by Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) in November 2015, which had been in a joint venture with Fonterra Cooperative Group Limited since 2000. The DFA describes itself as the largest dairy cooperative in the United States, boasting a broad production network.
Upon full acquisition, U.S. dairy industry reports indicated that Dairi Concepts specializes in the manufacturing of cheese, dairy ingredients, and dairy flavor systems, operating eight facilities across the United States.
The company positions itself as a provider of value-added solutions in the dairy ingredients market, catering to customers domestically and globally.
According to the Dairy Foods plant directory, Dairi Concepts, headquartered in Minnesota, engages in the packaging and drying of cheese products.
The approval for expedited registration of U.S. dairy plants has raised concerns among local Costa Rican dairy producers.
Data from the Costa Rican Foreign Trade Promotion Office (Procomer) shows that dairy imports from the United States surged from $37.9 million in 2023 to $59.12 million in 2024, marking a 56% increase.
As a result, the National Chamber of Dairy Producers in Costa Rica has voiced objections to the government's decision to ease the registration process for U.S. dairy plants.
Ivannia Quesada, the chamber's president, expressed their surprise and concern over the announcement, stating that the dairy sector had not been consulted or informed regarding the changes.
Dos Pinos, the leading dairy producer in Costa Rica, has indicated support for the National Chamber of Dairy Producers' position, given the sectorial implications of the new registration policies.
As of January 1, 2025, all dairy products traded between Costa Rica and the United States are exempt from tariffs, which is part of the trade liberalization process established under the Central America-Dominican Republic-United States Free Trade Agreement (DR-Cafta).
In late March 2025, the Trump administration enumerated the trade barriers maintained by Costa Rica in a National Trade Estimate (NTE) report issued by the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), just days before imposing a 10% tariff on Costa Rican products.
The report highlighted a Costa Rican regulation from 2016 that requires extensive questionnaires for certain facilities exporting animal products, including dairy, seafood, sheep, and eggs.
These issues are part of ongoing technical negotiation tables established between the two countries, initiated on May 15, 2025, during which Costa Rica seeks to suspend the 10% tariff on its exports.
On May 28, USDA Secretary Brooke L. Rollins underscored the agreement reached with the Costa Rican government to expedite the registration process for U.S. dairy plants.
"Under President Trump's leadership, the USDA prioritizes farmers.
Ensuring greater market access for U.S. dairy producers is a vital achievement for the U.S. dairy industry and will provide our producers with greater access to a $130 million market in Costa Rica," Rollins noted in a statement.
Cheese remains the top dairy product imported from the United States, with imports totaling $56 million by the end of 2024, as reported by Procomer.