Exports of farm products help boost New Mexico’s farm prices and income. Such exports help support jobs both on and off the farm in food processing, storage, and transportation. In 2003, New Mexico’s farm cash receipts were $2.1 billion, and agricultural exports were estimated at $225 million, putting its reliance on agricultural exports at 11 percent. Implementation of the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR) will increase New Mexico’s exports of agricultural products.

Despite over $1.6 billion in U.S. farm exports in 2003, CAFTA-DR countries continue to impose high tariffs and other barriers on most agricultural products, including New Mexico’s key exports. A primary U.S. objective was to change the "one-way-street" of duty-free access currently enjoyed by most CAFTA-DR exports into a "two-way-street" that provides U.S. suppliers with access to these markets and levels the playing field with other competitors. This objective was achieved. Over 50 agricultural industry and farm groups, including the American Farm Bureau support the FTA.

Dairy. As the state’s top source of farm cash receipts, New Mexico dairy producers benefit from the FTA.

• U.S. dairy exporters currently face duties as high as 60 percent, and the WTO permits duties as high as 100 percent.

• Each country will establish duty-free TRQs for certain dairy products totaling over 10,000 metric tons across the six countries – and each will receive the same level of TRQ access for dairy products entering the United States.

• TRQs will grow by 5 percent per year for the Central American countries and 10 percent per year for the Dominican Republic, with certain dairy products subject to safeguards during the phase-out period.

• All Central American and Dominican duties will be eliminated within 20 years, with duties on some dairy products eliminated earlier.

• The National Milk Producers Federation, the U.S. Dairy Export Council, the Grocery Manufacturers of America, and the National Food Processors Association have expressed support publicly for the CAFTA-DR FTA.

Beef. Providing the 2^nd leading source of farm cash receipts, New Mexico cattle and calve producers benefit from the FTA.

• Current import duties on U.S. beef exports are as high as 30 percent, and the WTO permits duties as high as 79 percent.

• Duties on the products most important to the U.S. beef industry – Prime and Choice cuts – will be eliminated immediately in Central American countries, while the Dominican Republic will establish a zero duty TRQ of 1,100 metric tons which expands annually as duties are eliminated.

• Some immediate duty-free access will be provided by certain countries on other beef cuts through an initial TRQ totaling 1,165 metric tons, expanding annually until duties are fully phased-out.

• Duties currently applied to other beef products and beef offals will be phased-out in 5 to 10 years.

• CAFTA-DR countries are working toward the recognition of the U.S. meat inspection and certification systems in order to facilitate U.S. exports.

• The American Meat Institute, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, the National Renderers Association, and the U.S. Meat Export Federation have expressed support publicly for the CAFTA-DR FTA.

Pecans. As the state’s 2^nd largest agricultural export and 4^th largest source of farm cash receipts, New Mexico’s pecan producers will benefit from the FTA.

Wheat. As the state’s 3^rd largest agricultural export, New Mexico wheat producers benefit from the FTA.