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).

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.

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.

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.

On December 23, 2024, the European Union published Regulation 2024/3234, which officially delayed the entry into application of the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) until December 30, 2025.

Bisphenol A in food contact materials is banned in the European Unions as of January 20, 2025, with a phase-in period of one to three years depending on the product.

After taking a dip in 2022, the EU organic market began to recover in 2023 as consumers’ financial situations improved. France and Germany still have the largest organic markets in the EU and growth is expected in almost every Member State until 2025.

On December 17, 2024, the Dominican Republic issued Decree 693-24, to limit rice imports into the country. The Decree establishes a quota of 23,300 metric tons (MT) for U.S. rice, subject to a 0 percent ad valorem tariff.

The European Union (EU) follows a complex, rolling system of review for active ingredients and Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs) in food. For agricultural inputs, U.S. farmers must know early in the process of review to prevent or mitigate the loss of, and/or access to, chemical inputs.

The European Commission will allocate €132 million (approximately $138 million) towards promotion activities for EU agri-food products in 2025.