Cassava market in Dominican Republic

Earlier Report Observations

Cassava market volume in the Dominican Republic grew from 160.4 thousand tons in 2018 to 175.2 thousand tons in 2019, primarily driven by higher producer prices encouraging increased cultivation and ongoing genetic improvement programs enhancing yields. However, in 2020, volume dipped to 167.5 thousand tons as persistent limitations from inadequate agronomic practices and disease pressures constrained production, despite growing private investment in processing.

The market stabilized around 168 thousand tons in 2021, then rose to 176.4 thousand tons in 2022, fueled by changing consumer preferences toward convenient frozen cassava products and the standardization of the HORECA sector. A sharp jump to 244.1 thousand tons occurred in 2023, largely due to increased investment in processing technologies and the rapid growth of the cassava flour segment, which catered to demand for functional, clean-label foods.

Production cassava in Dominican Republic

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of cassava, 2017-2020

World map of production of cassava, 2017-2020

In 2020, the Dominican Republic produced 167.6 thousand tons of cassava, marking a 4.5% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production declined by 3.6%, which translates to an average annual decrease of 1.2%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 160.6 thousand tons, while the highest was in 2019 at 175.6 thousand tons. The most significant drop occurred in 2018 with a 7.6% decrease, whereas the largest increase was observed in 2019 with a 9.4% rise.

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

Exports cassava from Dominican Republic

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited volatility throughout the observed period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 108.0 tons and peaked in 2017, showing a 4.2-fold difference between these years. In 2020, cassava exports from the Dominican Republic totaled 128.4 tons, representing a 63.3% decline from the previous year. The most substantial decrease was recorded in 2018 at 76.2%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 with a 224.4% surge.

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

From 2017 to 2020, cassava exports from the Dominican Republic were primarily directed towards the United States and France, which together accounted for 80.2% of total shipments. Other destinations played a more minor role in the export structure.

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 data indicates irregular changes, reflecting a volatile market environment. Exports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 88.0 thousand US dollars and peaked in 2019 at 250.0 thousand US dollars, with a 2.8-fold difference between these years. In 2020, cassava exports from the Dominican Republic amounted to 96.9 thousand US dollars, a 61.2% decrease compared to the previous year. The most significant decline was in 2018 at 62.8%, while the largest increase was in 2019 with a 184.1% rise.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United States, France, and Portugal were the main destinations for cassava exports from the Dominican Republic in value terms. The United States accounted for 51.0% of exports, France for 19.9%, and Portugal for 17.1%, together making up 88.0% of total export value.

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 cassava to Dominican Republic

Imports in kind, t

The data reveals irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. Imports hit their lowest point in 2018 at 0.0 tons and peaked in 2020 at 14.4 tons, showing a 400-fold difference between these years. In 2020, cassava imports to the Dominican Republic totaled 14.4 tons, a sharp increase of 117.8% from 2019. The most substantial decline was in 2018 at 99.7%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 with an 18,261.9% surge.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Costa Rica and Venezuela were central to cassava imports in kind, together representing 51.5% of total shipments to the Dominican Republic.

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

Noticeable fluctuations characterized market performance during this period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 0.1 thousand US dollars and peaked in 2020 at 21.7 thousand US dollars, with a 297-fold difference between these years. In 2020, cassava imports to the Dominican Republic amounted to 21.7 thousand US dollars, a sharp increase of 763.5% compared to the previous year. The most significant decline was in 2018 at 99.3%, while the largest increase was in 2019 with a 3,338.0% rise.

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

In the period from 2017 to 2020, three key markets—Costa Rica, Venezuela, and Spain—together accounted for 36.9% of total cassava import value to the Dominican Republic.

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

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