For individuals or firms interested in exporting agricultural or food products to the Dominican Republic (DR), please be aware that there is an office of USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) located in the U.S. Embassy, Santo Domingo. Contact information for the FAS Office is as follows:

USDA-Foreign Agricultural Affairs
U.S. Embassy
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Phone: (809) 368-7741
E-mail: Agsantodomingo@fas.usda.gov
USDA Foreign Agricultural Service Website

In addition, FAS publishes an annual Exporter Guide providing more detailed information on the structure and dynamics of the Dominican food and agricultural market.  The 2025 Exporter Guide Report is available here.

Wheat

This is a best prospect industry sector for this country. 

Table: Wheat market and trade data overview, USD Millions: 
 

Sources: Unofficial estimate by FAS based on industry and U.S. Census Bureau, Economic Indicators Division; DR Customs; Trade Data Monitor.

Wheat consumption in the Dominican Republic reached $197 million in 2024. This increase reflects the recovery in flour and baked goods exports, growth in pasta production, expanded wheat milling capacity, and rising demand driven by both the local industry and sustained tourist arrivals.

Exports of Dominican wheat flour and related products has been growing since 2022, primarily due to increased demand from Haiti, where ongoing civil unrest has disrupted their domestic wheat milling operations. This increase has been sustained for the last three years. The United States maintains a stable market share in the Dominican Republic, though competition from Canada has intensified. Historically, Canada supplied the Dominican market during years of overproduction. In recent years, Canadian wheat has become a regular choice for Dominican millers, who favor it due to competitive pricing. In recent years, Argentine wheat has also resurged in the Dominican market. Although Argentina’s market share remains relatively low compared to Canada, it has steadily gained ground by proving to be a reliable source of competitively priced wheat.

Opportunities

The U.S. Foreign Agricultural Service Santo Domingo agricultural specialist covering the grain sector is Iris Montilla, Iris.Montilla@usda.gov.

Soybean Meal

This is a best prospect industry sector for this country.

Table 2:  Soybean Meal market and trade data overview, USD Millions: 

Sources: Unofficial estimate by FAS based on industry and U.S. Census Bureau, Economic Indicators Division; Trade Data Monitor.

During 2024, the Dominican Republic imported 602,713 MT (US$263 million) of soybean meal. The United States supplied 99 percent of these imports, maintaining its dominant position in the market. Soybean meal is primarily used in feed formulation for poultry and swine. The poultry sector drives demand, accounting for approximately 70%of all feed ingredient imports, followed by swine at 20 percent and cattle at 10 percent. Imports of soybean meal surged in CY 2023, fueled mainly by growth in the poultry industry, a secondary effect of African Swine Fever (ASF) reducing domestic pork production. Although imports declined slightly in 2024, they are projected to rise again in 2025, supported by continued expansion in poultry production. While the United States has historically dominated the DR’s soybean meal market, Brazil has begun to enter the market over the past two years. Brazilian exporters have introduced small quantities of soybean meal and soybeans, signaling emerging competition in this sector. 

Opportunities

Product quality, geographic proximity, and price, in addition to market support and technical assistance from the U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC), will assure continued presence of U.S. soybean meal in the Dominican market.  In addition, as a basic feed item for the poultry, swine, and dairy sectors, soybean meal is exempted from import taxes.

Resources

The U.S. Foreign Agricultural Service Santo Domingo agricultural specialist covering the oilseeds sector is Iris Montilla, Iris.Montilla@usda.gov 

Corn

This is a best prospect industry sector for this country. 

Table 3: Corn market and trade data overview, USD Millions.

Sources: Unofficial estimate by FAS based on industry and U.S. Census Bureau, Economic Indicators Division; DR Customs; Trade Data Monitor.

The United States continues to be a strong commercial partner for the corn market in Dominican Republic. During the last four years, the United States has averaged over 30 percent market share with a peak of 40 percent in  2022. Persistent complaints concerning dust levels, presence of mycotoxins, grain cracking, availability, shipping challenges, and relatively higher prices have led many importers to source South American supplies, specifically from Brazil and Argentina. During 2024, the DR imported a total of 1.65 million MT of corn. Brazil supplied 74 percent of that total, followed by the United States with 19 percent and Argentina with 7 percent. In terms of volume, demand for corn, a prime ingredient for animal feed, driven by the poultry industry’s continued expansion. In CY 2024, poultry production grew significantly, bolstered by an expanding HRI sector. Egg production increased by 8 percent, while the broiler chicken industry grew by 13 percent year-over-year; the industry is expected to continue expanding over the next two years. 

Consumer-Oriented Agricultural Products

This is a best prospect industry sector for this country. 

Table 4: Consumer-oriented agricultural products market overview and trade data, USD Millions:
 

Source: Trade Data Monitor

In 2024, U.S. exports of consumer-oriented food products to the Dominican Republic (DR) reached $1.2 billion, a 10 percent increase from the previous year. Sustained demand from the tourism and retail sectors continues to drive growth. The United States remains the DR’s leading supplier, accounting for 43 percent of total imports in this category.

U.S. products maintain a strong reputation for consistent quality and safety, strengthening their competitiveness in the market. Top-performing exports include pork, dairy, poultry, beef, fresh fruits and vegetables, baked goods, cereals and pasta, fruit and vegetable juices, and alcoholic beverages.

The European Union remains the main competitor, holding 25 percent of the import market. Spanish firms, which own the majority of all-inclusive resorts in the DR, heavily influence purchasing decisions in the hotel, restaurant, and institutional (HRI) sector. These resorts often prioritize Spanish and other European suppliers, particularly for food and beverage procurement.

The HRI sector continues to expand, driven by growth in both international tourism and domestic dining. This trend supports increased demand for imported consumer-oriented products, particularly high-value and specialty items.

Modern retail also plays a critical role in U.S. export growth. Locally owned supermarket chains dominate the formal retail landscape and offer a broad assortment of U.S. goods. However, they capture only 20 to 25 percent of retail sales. Traditional channels: colmados, colmadones, and wholesale outlets still account for the majority of consumer transactions and primarily stock domestic products.

Additionally, the expansion of modern gas stations has created new retail spaces for U.S. products. Many now offer packaged snacks, beverages, and fast food, improving product visibility and distribution throughout the country.

Consumer demand for imported food products increased 10 percent in 2024. Continued growth in the HRI and modern retail sectors presents strong opportunities for U.S. exporters in 2025 and beyond.

Opportunities

Demand for consumer-oriented products will likely continue rising in the medium term, driven by sustained growth in tourism, the hotel, restaurant, and institutional (HRI) sector, retail expansion, and overall economic development.

Resources

The U.S. Foreign Agricultural Service Santo Domingo Agsantodomingo@fas.usda.gov. 
 

Dairy Products

Overview

Table 5: Dairy products market overview and trade data, USD Millions

Sources: Unofficial estimate by FAS based on industry and U.S. Census Bureau, Economic Indicators Division; DR Customs; Trade Data Monitor.

While the DR’s dairy sector is an important source of local employment, it is not able to supply the full range of dairy products consumed domestically, especially the wide variety of cheeses demanded by the growing hotel, restaurant, and institutional (HRI) sector; and high-quality powdered milk demanded by the local food processing industry.  From 2021 to 2024, the DR’s overall imports of dairy products increased by 25 percent to $498 million. During this period, the United States had an average share of total imports of 30 percent, while the European Union (EU) has dominated the market with a 59%share.  However, CAFTA-DR has opened opportunities for U.S. dairy products to enter the DR market.  

The DR’s large and growing tourism industry demands high value food products, including cheese. In addition, there is a growing number of consumers demanding higher quality and healthier products, and they generally perceive that U.S. products meet these requirements.  

Opportunities

U.S. dairy products have open and free access to the Dominican Republic under the CAFTA-DR agreement. Although the E.U. enjoys similar market access conditions to the country under their EPA Agreement, close proximity to the market and cultural preferences, demand for U.S. dairy products will continue to rise. Moreover, local production of dairy products is extremely limited versus U.S. options.  

Resources

The U.S. Foreign Agricultural Service Santo Domingo specialist covering the dairy sector is Virgilio Mayol, virgilio.mayol@usda.gov.
 

Rice

This is a best prospect industry sector for this country. 

Table 6: Rice market and trade data overview, USD Millions:

Sources: Central Bank; ONE Export Database; Unofficial estimate by FAS on industry; U.S. Census Bureau, Economic Indicators Division; Trade Data Monitor.
 

Rice ranks among the country’s most important agricultural products. The Dominican Republic maintains self-sufficiency in rice production, supported by government programs such as the Pledge Program (Programa de Pignoración) and various import restrictions. These measures continue to limit the volume of U.S. rice that can compete in the local market.

Under CAFTA-DR, rice falls under Basket V of the Free Trade Agreement. Accordingly, U.S. rice imports should no longer face tariff-rate quotas and should receive a zero percent tariff starting in 2025. However, in December 2024, the Dominican Republic issued Decree 693-24, which imposes new restrictions on rice imports. The decree establishes a zero percent preferential quota for U.S. rice of 23,300 metric tons; imports beyond this volume face a 99%duty, aligned with the Most Favored Nation (MFN) rate. Additionally, the decree applies a 99%MFN tariff on all rice imports from Nicaragua.

Opportunities

Rice is a basic food item in the Dominican diet.  As CAFTA-DR is in full effect, the tariff rate quotas (TRQs) for rice should assure U.S. presence in the Dominican. 

Resources

The U.S. Foreign Agricultural Service Santo Domingo agricultural specialist covering the rice sector is Iris Montilla, Iris.Montilla@usda.gov. 
 

Pulses and Dried Beans

This is a best prospect industry sector for this country. 

Table 7: Pulses and dried beans market overview and trade data, USD Millions: 
 

Sources: Central Bank; ONE Export Database; Unofficial estimate by FAS on industry; U.S. Census Bureau, Economic Indicators Division; Trade Data Monitor.

Pinto beans are a dietary staple in the Dominican Republic, yet domestic production falls short of meeting demand. In recent years, the country has imported over 68,000 metric tons of dried beans annually, with import values reaching an estimated $119 million in 2024. This surge is partly driven by the escalating violence and humanitarian crisis in Haiti since 2022, which has significantly affected the Dominican bean market, as evidenced by increased formal bean exports to Haiti.

Most dried bean imports arrive through U.S. Gulf Coast ports, with some shipments transshipped from the U.S. Midwest via Canada. The Dominican market favors North American pinto beans over South American varieties due to superior quality, stricter phytosanitary standards, geographic proximity, and competitive pricing. The continued presence of U.S. suppliers is assured by CAFTA-DR’s free trade provisions and the persistent domestic production gap.

Web Resources

The U.S. Foreign Agricultural Service Santo Domingo agricultural specialist covering the dry beans sector is Iris Montilla, Iris.Montilla@usda.gov.