Costa Rica: 2022 Cyberhack Delays 2024 Rice Quota Allocation
Link to report:
FAS/San José anticipates Costa Rica's Ministry of Foreign Trade to allocate 2024 Dominican Republic - Central America Free Trade Agreement rice quota allocations by the end of April, effectively constraining the availability of U.S. duty-free rice to the final eight months of 2024. Though Costa Rica typically allocates quota volumes in December of the preceding year, calculations of 2024 volumes have been contested by importers following an extraordinary process resulting from a 2022 cyber attack. The allocation delay became a significantly more pressing issue after Costa Rica restored 35 percent tariffs on non-U.S.-origin rice on April 11, instantly increasing price competitiveness of and demand for U.S. duty-free rice.
