As of the start of 2020, both beef and pork from the USA enter Costa Rica without import taxes. This is due to a free trade agreement that was negotiated to gradually eliminate tax on typically protected agricultural products.
The agreement also eliminates tax on other products over the next few years. In 2022, there will be a 17 year stop of tax of black parts of the chicken, such as thighs. In 2025, there will be a 25 year stop of tax on rice and dairy products.
This situation may or may not have an effect on final consumer prices, being that many factors go into this. The amount being imported and the prices for the product in other parts of the world are factors that have an effect on how much we pay.
This decision will mostly affect large chains that depend almost entirely on imports. Small butchers, on the other hand, will still have to buy locally from a sector not yet self sufficient.
