Butter, dairy spreads and milk fats market in Dominican Republic

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the butter and dairy fats market in the Dominican Republic showed variability, starting at 7 555 t in 2018 with a significant presence of large processors like Pasteurizadora Rica and Nestlé Dominicana underpinning production. By 2019, the market volume decreased to 7 198 t, while the broader edible oils and fats sector was growing, indicating a possible shift in consumer demand away from dairy fats. In 2020, the market expanded to 7 996 t, partly due to increased imports, even as competition from imported milk formulas pressured local dairy product sales.

In 2021, the market contracted sharply to 7 063 t. This coincided with record sales in the general oils and fats industry, suggesting substitution away from butter towards other fats, while imports plummeted. The market recovered to 7 938 t in 2022, supported by a rebound in imports, although public attention was captured by the unrelated financial pyramid scheme phenomenon known as 'Mantequilla'.

By 2023, the market stabilized at 7 783 t. Soaring food prices, which had risen up to 80% over the prior decade, and trends toward healthier eating influenced consumer demand for butter and dairy fats. High tariff barriers of 87% on butter imports, noted in 2024, historically restricted supply and supported domestic production, while the dairy sector continued to expand led by major players like Grupo Rica.

Production butter, dairy spreads and milk fats in Dominican Republic

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of butter, dairy spreads and milk fats, 2017-2020

World map of production of butter, dairy spreads and milk fats, 2017-2020

The Dominican Republic's production of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 6,532 tonnes, showing a slight decrease of 0.8% from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 13.7%, which translates to an average annual increase of 4.4%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 6,991 tonnes. The most significant drop occurred in 2019, with a 5.8% decline, while the largest rise was in 2018, with a 21.7% increase.

Annual dynamics of production in Dominican Republic in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports butter, dairy spreads and milk fats from Dominican Republic

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. Export volumes reached their lowest point in 2020 and peaked in 2019, with a 4.9-fold difference between these years. In 2020, the Dominican Republic exported 165 tonnes of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats, marking a sharp contraction of 79.4% compared to 2019. The maximum export volume was recorded in 2019 at 801 tonnes. The largest increase was in 2018, with an 83.1% rise.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Dominican Republic in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, the structure of exports in kind was dominated by a single market: Haiti, which accounted for 92.0% of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Dominican Republic in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

The market displayed volatility over the observed period. Export values fell to their lowest point in 2020 and peaked in 2018, with an 8-fold swing between these years. In 2020, butter, dairy spreads, and milk fat shipments from the Dominican Republic totaled 365,000 US dollars, representing a dramatic decline of 84.2% from 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 2,904,000 US dollars. The largest increase occurred in 2018, with a 76.6% rise.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Dominican Republic in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Haiti played the leading role in exports in value terms, holding an 83.9% share of total flows, while other markets combined accounted for the remainder.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Dominican Republic in value, 2017-2020

Imports butter, dairy spreads and milk fats to Dominican Republic

Imports in kind, t

Imported volumes of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats in the Dominican Republic increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 1,629 tonnes, up by 15.2% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 33%, equating to an annualized rate of 10.0%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 1,188 tonnes. The largest decline was in 2018, with a 3.0% drop, while the largest increase was in 2019, with a 19.0% rise.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Dominican Republic in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, the main markets for imports in kind of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats to the Dominican Republic were New Zealand (53.3% of imports in kind), the United States (12.4% of imports in kind), and France (10.7% of imports in kind), together representing 76.4% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Dominican Republic in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

After two years of improvement, butter, dairy spreads, and milk fat deliveries to the Dominican Republic declined. In 2020, imports totaled 7,944,000 US dollars, reflecting a moderate reduction of 9.3% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 19.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.2%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 8,755,000 US dollars. The largest increase was in 2018, with a 20.4% rise.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Dominican Republic in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the core group of markets for imports in value terms consisted of New Zealand (53.1% of imports in value terms), the United States (13.9% of imports in value terms), and France (12.4% of imports in value terms), together accounting for 79.3% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Dominican Republic in value, 2017-2020