Agricultural groups oppose trade liberalization in Dominican Republic and Costa Rica

Agricultural organizations in the Dominican Republic and Costa Rica are raising concerns regarding market liberalization and international trade agreements.

In the Dominican Republic, the political organization Frente Amplio has expressed opposition to the potential repeal of Decree 693-24. The group warns that an abrupt opening of the rice market could jeopardize national food sovereignty, rural employment, and the domestic productive structure. According to María Teresa Cabrera, president of the organization, the rice sector involves over 30,000 producers and generates approximately 80,000 direct and 50,000 indirect jobs, representing up to 15% of the agricultural GDP.

In Costa Rica, the Livestock Corporation (Corfoga) has reaffirmed its opposition to the country joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). Corfoga is requesting the exclusion of beef products from the agreement to protect local producers from large-scale competitors like Australia. The organization argues that Costa Rican producers cannot compete with the scale and technology of major exporters, warning that increased imports could displace national production and impact the dairy and beef sectors.