Mike Naig, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture, led a 13-member delegation on a trade mission to Costa Rica and Guatemala, organized by the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) to expand export opportunities for Iowa’s beef, pork, corn, and soybeans.
Costa Rica and Guatemala are key markets for U.S. agricultural exports. In 2024, Guatemala imported $1.9 billion in U.S. agricultural goods, while Costa Rica imported $956 million. Iowa contributed $75.1 million in exports to Costa Rica and $145 million to Guatemala.
With growing demand for high-quality protein, Naig emphasized international market development. The delegation met with key stakeholders to strengthen trade relationships and explore new opportunities for Iowa beef exports.
The February 15-21 mission included representatives from the Iowa Beef Industry Council, Iowa Corn, Iowa Farm Bureau Federation, Iowa Pork Producers Association, and the Iowa Soybean Association. Participants engaged in trade policy discussions, industry briefings, and business development meetings in San José, Costa Rica, and Guatemala City, Guatemala.
IEDA worked with organizations such as the U.S. Grains Council, U.S. Meat Export Federation, and the U.S. Soybean Export Council to facilitate meetings and connect Iowa businesses with potential buyers.
