Browse Data and Analysis

Sugar production in the Dominican Republic (DR) is forecast to reach 600,000 metric tons (MT) due to favorable rainfall conditions through the first half of marketing year (MY) 2025/2026 (October - September).

Wheat consumption in the Dominican Republic (DR) during marketing year (MY) 2025/26 (July 2025/June 2026) is forecast to increase by two percent, reaching 520,000 metric tons (MT).

In 2024, Taiwan's pet food market saw significant activity, with total imports reaching a record high of $276.8 million. Thailand continued to be the largest supplier of pet food to Taiwan, followed by the United States, South Korea, Canada, and Japan.

This report highlights the food processing industry, its drivers, key players, and market landscape in the Caribbean Basin. The region relies heavily on imports, and the United States is the largest supplier of food ingredients.

In MY2025/2026, Taiwan’s wheat imports are forecast at 1.38 MMT supported by Taiwan consumers’ preference for more diverse food offerings including wheat-based products and a vibrant baking industry.

Taiwan’s soybean imports are forecast at 2.65 MMT for MY2024/2025 and MY2025/2026, a slight increase from the previous MY.

The Dominican Republic’s food processing industry totaled $2.90 billion for calendar year (CY) 2024, in activities categorized as “food industry.” Beverages and other food products accounted for an additional $1.02 billion during the same period.

In 2024, Taiwan imported US$3.8 billion agricultural products from the US, which accounted for 24.81 percent of the island’s total import value.

The United States is a major trading partner with the Dominican Republic (DR). The DR is the largest economy in the Caribbean and the seventh-largest economy in Latin America. Since the Dominican Republic-Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR) went into effect for the DR in 2007, U.S. agricultural exports to the DR have increased from $1 billion in 2007 to $2 billion in 2024.

The United States holds 66 percent of Taiwan’s tree nut market, with 2024 imports rising 19 percent to nearly 13,000 metric tons, valued at USD 76 million.

On February 5, 2025, the Dominican Republic amended its Fiscal Control and Traceability System for Alcoholic Beverages and Cigars (TRAFICO), marking a significant victory for the U.S. alcoholic beverage industry.

U.S. agricultural exports to the Dominican Republic reached an all-time record of $2.2 billion in 2024; a 6 percent increase from the previous record set in 2022. The increase was driven mainly by strong demand for consumer-oriented products.