El Salvador and Guatemala Lock in Dairy Trade Protections

El Salvador and Guatemala Lock in Dairy Trade Protections

U.S. dairy exporters just got a boost. The United States recently signed reciprocal trade agreements with El Salvador and Guatemala, reinforcing protections for American dairy products and helping prevent new trade barriers.

Under the agreements, both countries have pledged to respect U.S. regulatory oversight, accept existing U.S. certificates, avoid new facility registration requirements, and streamline product registration. These measures make market access more predictable for U.S. dairy producers.

The deals also protect the use of familiar cheese and meat names. Terms like parmesan, gruyere, feta, and asiago—as well as 10 key meat names—will remain accessible, giving producers and exporters clarity and consistency in these markets.

U.S. dairy already enjoys duty-free access to El Salvador and Guatemala through CAFTA-DR, with tariffs on these products fully phased out last year after years of advocacy. Going forward, the National Milk Producers Federation, U.S. Dairy Export Council, and Consortium for Common Food Names will work with U.S. trade partners to ensure both countries meet their commitments and keep doors open for American dairy.