Dairy industry developments in Argentina and Costa Rica

In Argentina, Sudamericana de Lácteos is preparing to resume production at its plant in Díaz, Santa Fe, following a six-month hiatus. The company was recently acquired by businessman Pablo González from Lácteos Servio. The new management is working to resolve administrative debts, lift bank account embargoes, and regularize social security obligations to secure raw materials. The plant aims to process 100,000 liters of milk daily to produce cheese bars, with 70% of output intended for export and 30% for the domestic market, preserving 78 jobs.

In Costa Rica, the Cámara Nacional de Productores de Leche (CNPL) has expressed strong opposition to Industrias ChaRo’s decision to unilaterally stop purchasing milk from national producers starting September 5, 2026. The CNPL warns that this move affects approximately 200 families and local economic chains. The Chamber alleges that the company is substituting domestic fresh milk with imported powdered milk, a trend they claim undermines the national dairy model and shifts economic value to external suppliers. The sector is also facing pressures from the appreciation of the colón against the dollar and potential integration into the CPTPP.