‘No Meat or Milk will be Allowed or Out of Costa Rica’: Panama Cattle Ranchers Defy Costa Rican Pressure

Samuel Vernaza, president of the National Association of Cattle Ranchers (Anagan) and the Association of Producers of Panama (Aprodepa), explained the situation to reporters.  The recent statements by Costa Rican President Laura Fernández Delgado regarding the trade conflict with Panama are a strategy to gain favor with her citizens and not a reflection of the technical reality governing the exchange of dairy and meat products.  “Not a single gram of meat or a single gram of dairy products can enter this country until this situation is resolved,” Vernaza warned in statements to news media on Tuesday, May 12. Trade in meat and dairy products from Panama to Costa Rica is currently strained by a long-standing, unresolved dispute where Panama has blocked imports from 26 Costa Rican processing plants since June 2020. While the World Trade Organization (WTO) ruled in favor of Costa Rica in late 2024, finding Panama’s restrictions unscientific, Panama appealed in January 2025, maintaining restrictions.

Current Status and Constraints:

• Import Restrictions: Panama has blocked or restricted dairy and meat products from dozens of Costa Rican establishments, citing concerns regarding health protocols for diseases like brucellosis.
• WTO Ruling: In December 2024, a WTO panel found that Panama’s measures violated sanitary agreements and were not supported by sufficient evidence, as stated by Latinnews.com.
• Appeals Process: Despite the ruling, Panama’s government has chosen to appeal, prolonging the restriction on products like beef, pork, and various dairy items, according to dairynews.today and WTO.
• Personal Import Rules (Travelers): Costa Rica generally prohibits travelers from bringing in fresh meat and dairy products.

Export/Trade Requirements (When Permitted):

• Registration: Products and establishments must be registered.
• Documentation: A manufacturer’s declaration signed by an authorized person is required for dairy products, according to Inspection.gc.ca
• Inspection: Shipments must comply with strict microbiological standards, as noted by Inspection.gc.ca.