AGP Executive Report

Food & Agribusiness: Del Monte Corporation rebrands after Fresh Del Monte Produce’s partial acquisition, changing its NYSE ticker to “DMC” starting June 29, signaling a bigger push for innovation and brand strategy. Trade & Compliance: The U.S. USTR proposes new Section 301 forced-labor tariffs—10% or 12.5% on imports from 60 economies—setting a July 6 comment deadline and July 7 hearing, a direct risk for exporters tied to global supply chains. Environment & Public Health: Costa Rica research reports microplastics across beaches, fish, livestock, poultry, and even Isla del Coco, with particles found in over 70% of samples—raising stakes for food safety and conservation. Livestock Risk: New World screwworm has been confirmed in Texas again, prompting quarantines and extra precautions that could ripple into regional animal health and export markets. Costa Rica Business/Jobs: Costa Rica moves to protect jobs at the Golfito Free Trade Zone, highlighting ongoing pressure to keep industrial employment stable.

Trade & Supply Chains: The U.S. USTR has proposed new Section 301 forced-labor tariffs, with 10% to 12.5% duties targeting imports from 60 economies, plus a separate higher-rate plan for Brazil—comments are open and a July 7 hearing is set, a move that could ripple through regional manufacturing and sourcing. Environment & Food Safety: Costa Rican studies report microplastics across beaches, sediments, fish, livestock, poultry, and even Isla del Coco—pushing the issue into agriculture and public health, not just beach cleanup. Agriculture & Biosecurity: The New World screwworm fly has reappeared in Texas after decades, with new cases in cattle and pets raising alarms for the $113B U.S. cattle industry and cross-border containment efforts. Climate Risk: El Niño could cut Guanacaste rainfall by up to 50% and raise temperatures, stressing water and energy planning for Costa Rica’s economy and tourism. Energy & Construction: ICE is considering demolishing its historic La Sabana headquarters building after safety concerns, with options ranging from remodel to a new commercial zone. Wellness Tourism: The Retreat Costa Rica is expanding with a new Vida Mía Longevity Centre focused on nervous-system health and personalized programs.

Agribusiness Biosecurity: The New World screwworm fly has reappeared in the U.S., with new cases in Texas (now four total), threatening the $113B U.S. cattle industry and reviving eradication efforts last seen in 1966. Trade & Food Safety: Canada expanded market access for fish, seafood and aquatic products, adding renewed pathways to Vietnam, Oman, Brazil, Armenia and Costa Rica via CFIA health certificate acceptance. Packaging & Manufacturing: EXPO PACK México 2026 drew 18,400 attendees and 6,100 exhibitors, highlighting new packaging and processing tech for food, pharma and industrial manufacturing. Costa Rica Climate Risk: UNA warns El Niño could cut Guanacaste rainfall by up to 50% and raise temperatures, increasing pressure on water and energy. Energy & Infrastructure: ICE says it may demolish its historic La Sabana headquarters building due to structural safety concerns, with options ranging from remodel to a new commercial zone. Jobs & Trade Zones: Costa Rica’s legislature approved reforms to stabilize commercial operators at the Golfito Free Trade Zone, allowing direct contract extensions up to 10 years. Tourism & Media: Costa Rica will feature on Amazon Prime Video with “Latidos en la Lluvia,” a documentary following five cancer survivors crossing the country.

Golfito Free Trade Zone Jobs: Costa Rica’s Legislative Assembly approved a reform that lets existing commercial operators in the Depósito Libre Comercial de Golfito negotiate direct contract extensions of up to 10 years with JUDESUR, avoiding a new public bidding process when current deals expire—an important stability boost for southern-zone businesses. Tourism & Media Promotion: Costa Rica is set to reach Amazon Prime Video later in 2026 with “Latidos en la Lluvia,” a documentary following five Spanish women cancer survivors as they cross the country via mountain bike, on foot, rafting and kayaking, with support from the ICT to spotlight adventure and nature. Wildlife Protection: Costa Rica is also moving to legally protect howler monkeys after electrocution cases surged, pushing for safeguards that reduce risks from power lines. Aviation Connectivity Watch: U.S. low-cost carrier Breeze Airways says it’s targeting an IPO in 2027 and is expanding internationally, including routes to Costa Rica. Global Context: Peru’s runoff remains too close to call as early tallies show Keiko Fujimori leading over Roberto Sanchez, with crime and inequality driving the vote.

Peru Runoff: Peru votes Sunday in a tight presidential runoff between conservative Keiko Fujimori and leftist Roberto Sanchez, with crime driving public anxiety and the result seen as a key test of Latin America’s rightward shift that already includes Costa Rica. World Cup & Costa Rica Link: England’s World Cup warm-up in Tampa ended 1-0 vs New Zealand with no injuries, and attention now turns to the next friendly vs Costa Rica as Thomas Tuchel reshuffles ahead of Croatia. Agri/Biosecurity: The New World screwworm has been detected in Texas for the first time in decades, raising alarms for livestock and wildlife—an issue that matters for regional agriculture and cross-border animal health. Costa Rica Tourism/Media: Amazon Prime will release “Latidos en la Lluvia,” a Costa Rica documentary following five cancer survivors on a coast-to-coast expedition, supported by the national tourism board. Wellness & Hospitality: The Retreat Costa Rica debuts its Vida Mía Longevity Centre, adding physician-guided programs and therapies aimed at long-term health. Trade/Policy Watch: The U.S. continues pushing Section 301 forced-labor tariff proposals, with Costa Rica flagged in the broader discussion.

Aviation & Trade: U.S. low-cost carrier Breeze Airways says it’s targeting an IPO in 2027, while expanding international routes that include Costa Rica—an update that matters for regional connectivity and travel demand. Wildlife & Infrastructure: Costa Rica’s courts are pushing action after wildlife electrocutions from power lines, ordering infrastructure changes in Nosara and reinforcing the pressure to modernize grids as development and tourism grow. Agri-Health Risk: The New World screwworm fly has reached Texas after spreading through Central America and Costa Rica, triggering quarantine and renewed surveillance fears for livestock and wildlife across the region. Tourism Marketing: Costa Rica is seeing a wave of AI-generated tourist posters, and branding experts warn the “overly polished” look may hurt visitor interest. Sports & Local Economy: England’s World Cup warm-up in Tampa is drawing criticism over ticket pricing and empty seats, a reminder that major events can swing local business outcomes based on access and demand.

Wildlife & Energy Infrastructure: Costa Rica’s courts are holding power-line operators accountable after a surge in howler monkey electrocutions, ordering infrastructure changes in Nosara—an issue tied to development pressure and tourism growth. Tourism Branding & AI: Costa Rica is seeing a wave of AI-generated tourist posters across major destinations, and branding experts warn the “overly polished” look may hurt local identity and visitor appeal. Trade Policy Impact: The U.S. is moving forward with Section 301 forced-labor tariffs affecting many partners, with specific exemptions that include certain Costa Rica textile/apparel duty-free treatment under CAFTA-DR—something exporters and manufacturers should track closely. Agribusiness Risk: New World screwworm has been confirmed in south Texas after spreading through Central America, raising regional livestock and wildlife health concerns that also matter for Costa Rica’s animal-health planning. Insurance Market: Costa Rica’s insurance sector is hitting record premiums and shifting toward voluntary coverage, reshaping how insurers compete and manage climate-driven claims.

Wildlife & Power Infrastructure: Costa Rica’s courts are holding government agencies accountable for howler monkey electrocutions from power lines, ordering infrastructure changes in Nosara as cases rise with development and tourism. Trade Policy Impact: The U.S. proposes Section 301 forced-labor tariffs that could hit Costa Rica (and neighbors) at 12.5%, with exemptions for some CAFTA-DR duty-free textiles/apparel—raising compliance pressure for exporters. Animal Health & Agriculture Risk: New World screwworm has been confirmed in Texas for the first time since 1966, after detections in Mexico and spread through Central America—prompting heightened surveillance that matters for livestock and wildlife across the region. Insurance Market: Costa Rica’s insurance sector has surpassed US$2.4B in annual premiums, with voluntary coverage gaining ground as climate and operational pressures reshape the industry. Tourism & Conservation: Authorities have confiscated nearly 8,900 kg of illegally taken seashells from travelers, underscoring strict enforcement of Costa Rica’s wildlife and natural-heritage rules. Cybersecurity: The FBI warns about Silent Ransom Group activity, including Fast Flux infrastructure used to target U.S. law firms and other industries.

Wildlife & Energy Regulation: Costa Rica’s courts ruled on how power lines cause howler monkey electrocutions, holding agencies accountable and ordering infrastructure fixes in Nosara—pushing solutions like insulated cables and safer crossings. Agribusiness Biosecurity: The U.S. confirmed a New World screwworm case in a calf in south Texas, reviving a decades-old threat to cattle, wildlife, and even rare human cases, with USDA and Texas moving to quarantine and sterile-fly eradication. Trade & Compliance: The U.S. proposed Section 301 forced-labor tariffs affecting 60 economies, with Costa Rica placed in the 12.5% tier—raising the stakes for supply-chain controls. Insurance Market: Costa Rica’s insurance sector passed $2.4B in annual premiums and is shifting toward voluntary coverage, even as climate risk and operational pressures mount. Tourism & Environment Enforcement: Authorities have confiscated thousands of kilograms of illegally taken seashells from travelers, warning that beach “souvenirs” can trigger wildlife-trafficking penalties. Food & Coffee: Costa Rica’s coffee production is up, but growers still struggle for profit, while global coffee news highlights “clean craft” sourcing and new manual brewing gear. Climate Outlook: Coverage urges caution on El Niño strength forecasts, noting Central America could still face major weather swings.

Costa Rica Insurance: Costa Rica’s insurance market has crossed $2.4B in annual premiums (about 2.7% of GDP), with growth increasingly driven by voluntary coverage as consumer reliance on mandatory policies fades. Agriculture & Food Prices: Corn futures keep sliding, while export sales show Costa Rica as a notable buyer—another sign of shifting regional demand as producers and traders adjust. Wildlife & Tourism Compliance: Costa Rica is cracking down on travelers trying to take seashells home; authorities have confiscated nearly 8,900 kg over six years, with penalties tied to illegal extraction and wildlife trafficking rules. Livestock Biosecurity: The New World screwworm has been confirmed in south Texas after decades, raising alarms for cattle, wildlife, and even rare human cases—prompting quarantines and sterile-fly response efforts. Trade Policy Shock: The U.S. proposes forced-labor tariffs affecting 60 economies, including Costa Rica, with duties of 12.5% for countries without adequate prohibitions and 10% for others—potentially feeding into import costs. Energy & Environment: Costa Rica is moving to protect howler monkeys from electrocution on power lines, as incidents tied to expanding development continue.

EV & Auto Exports: GAC says May sales hit 127,300 (+8.18% YoY) and NEVs jumped 71.64% to 46,056, while proprietary-brand exports surged 140% YoY to 28,386 units, with momentum across markets including Costa Rica (+733%). Trade Policy Shock: The U.S. proposes Section 301 tariffs on 60 economies over forced-labor concerns (10%–12.5%), with Costa Rica listed among the covered countries—raising the odds of higher import costs across supply chains. Agriculture Biosecurity: USDA confirmed the first New World screwworm case in the U.S. in South Texas, triggering quarantines and sterile-fly releases; officials say spread is mainly via animal movement, a direct risk to livestock operations. Energy & Wildlife Safety: Costa Rica is moving to protect howler monkeys from electrocution after reports of power-line incidents tied to expanding development. Coffee Sector Pressure: USDA forecasts Costa Rican green coffee production up 3.5% to 1.2M bags in 2026/27, but warns farmers may see limited profit gains from a strong colón and lower prices. Payments & Fintech: PaidBy® and Mastercard partner to scale cross-border bank-to-bank (A2A) payments, aiming to simplify settlement and reconciliation for global merchants.

Forced Labor Tariff Shock: The U.S. Trade Representative proposed Section 301 tariffs (10%–12.5%) on 60 economies, including Costa Rica, tied to alleged failures to block forced-labor imports—setting up a new compliance and cost pressure point for regional exporters. Agriculture Biosecurity: USDA confirmed a New World screwworm case in South Texas, triggering quarantine and a 20-kilometer infested zone; officials say spread hinges on animal movement, a reminder for Central America’s livestock supply chains. Medtech Investment Signal: CINDE says Costa Rica’s medtech exports top US$10bn and the country is moving up the value chain toward AI-led healthcare, R&D, and advanced manufacturing. Digital Retail Leadership: Grupo Éxito named Paula Sanabria as Chief Commercial Officer and Juan Camilo Suárez as Chief Digital and Technology Officer to push digital transformation across its Latin America operations. Energy Market Quirk: In Costa Rica, “super” gasoline is priced below regular due to RECOPE shipment cost timing, even as global oil conflict keeps fuel prices under pressure.

Tariff Shock for Trade-Dependent Industry: The Trump administration is proposing broad new U.S. tariffs under Section 301, targeting dozens of trading partners over “forced labor” concerns, with duties up to 12.5% and a July 7 public hearing—another potential cost hit for importers and supply chains. Agriculture Risk at the Border: U.S. officials warn New World screwworm is moving closer to Texas (reported 25 miles from the border), raising stakes for livestock and wildlife and putting pressure on cross-border biosecurity. Costa Rica Fuel Pricing Quirk: ARESEP set “super” gasoline cheaper than regular in Costa Rica (super ₡733 vs regular ₡748 at one point), driven by how RECOPE purchased shipments—an unusual signal for transport and logistics costs. Local Business Leadership: FIFCO in Costa Rica hires Timothy Scott Hall, a former Intel executive, as Director of Corporate Affairs—an executive shift that could shape corporate-government engagement. Pet-Friendly Tourism Growth: Guanacaste Airport (LIR) reports a record pet-travel surge, expanding terminal pet areas and reinforcing Costa Rica’s animal-friendly travel positioning. Dairy Sector Spotlight: Dos Pinos highlights women producers as key leaders in Costa Rica’s dairy economy, pointing to broader rural productivity gains. Film Funding for Costa Rican Talent: Paz Fábrega’s new hybrid feature “To the Future” secures additional funding for international co-production talks. Sports & Travel Demand Signals: England’s World Cup camp includes a match vs Costa Rica, while Costa Rica’s tourism calendar continues to draw global attention.

Corporate Appointments: FIFCO in Costa Rica names Timothy Scott Hall—an Intel veteran with nearly 21 years in the country—as Director of Corporate Affairs, signaling a fresh leadership push from tech to mass-market hospitality. Energy Costs: Costa Rica drivers are seeing an unusual “super cheaper than regular” fuel pricing setup, tied to RECOPE purchase timing; ARESEP notes it’s happened before and warns broader price pressure remains. Agriculture Biosecurity: The U.S. warns New World screwworm is nearing the Texas border (about 25 miles away), after reemerging in Panama and Costa Rica in 2023—raising stakes for livestock and wildlife. Local Dairy & Jobs: Dos Pinos spotlights women producers in Costa Rica’s dairy sector, highlighting leadership among its 1,300 cooperative members. Tourism & Travel Services: Intrepid Travel launches a Premium Family range with Costa Rica itineraries, aiming to reduce family-trip stress with guided, curated experiences. Immigration Policy: Costa Rica’s DGME announces a special temporary complementary residency category for Nicaraguans, Venezuelans, Cubans, and Colombians, enabling legal work starting Sept. 1, 2026. Sports & Business: England’s World Cup camp includes a match vs Costa Rica, underscoring the country’s ongoing role in regional sports logistics.

Costa Rica in the spotlight for tourism: National Geographic Traveller (UK) puts Costa Rica on its June cover, featuring Punta Catedral in Manuel Antonio and a “coast to coast” story that highlights parks, wildlife and landscapes—boosting visibility for the UK market. Dairy industry leadership: Dos Pinos marks World Milk Day by spotlighting women producers in Costa Rica’s cooperative dairy system, where women run farms and manage operations. Security & logistics tech: PatrolTech expands its SaaS for traceable security/concierge rounds, aiming to reduce disputes and improve incident prevention through time- and location-based records. Education credentials warning: Ghana’s GTEC flags 70 unrecognized tertiary institutions, including Universidad Empresarial de Costa Rica, urging due diligence on certificates. Aviation compliance: FAA proposes a $336k penalty against Planet Nine Private Air over alleged international flight classification and permitting issues involving routes that include Costa Rica. Environment & coastline restoration: Costas Verdes’ long-running tree-planting program is reviving Costa Rica’s Pacific beaches, planting 100,000+ native trees across dozens of sites.

Costa Rica Tourism Spotlight: Costa Rica is back on the world stage, landing on the cover of National Geographic Traveller (UK) with a “From Coast to Coast” feature highlighting Manuel Antonio, Arenal and wildlife—boosting visibility for a key British market. Digital Services for Security: PatrolTech is expanding its traceability platform for security rounds and concierge services, aiming to cut incidents by shifting from manual logs to verifiable digital records. Education Credentials Watch: Ghana’s GTEC warns the public about 70 unrecognized tertiary institutions, including at least one Costa Rica-based provider, urging due diligence before accepting certificates. Banana Industry Pressure: As banana margins shrink under disease threats and higher input costs, BANA is calling for a broader conversation on how to protect the supply chain. Local Food Demand: CoopeMontecillos says meat remains central to Costa Rica lunches, with 77% of midday meals using meat as the main protein. Entertainment & Events: Def Leppard confirmed its first-ever Costa Rica concert at Parque Viva (Alajuela) on Oct. 27, 2026, with Extreme as special guests. Logistics & Mobility: Electric bikes are gaining traction with college students as campuses grow and commuting becomes a daily efficiency issue.