Chicken meat and offal market in Dominican Republic

Earlier Report Observations

The market for chicken meat and offal in the Dominican Republic showed initial stability, with volume near 388 thousand tons in 2019, before contracting to 344 thousand tons in 2020. During that year, retail prices for live chicken in the Greater Santo Domingo area began a sustained upward trend, reflecting broader inflationary pressures and higher production costs that likely influenced consumer demand.

A sharp recovery followed, lifting market volume to 415 thousand tons in 2021. This rebound was supported by the sector's inherent strength, as chicken remained the cheapest and primary source of animal protein in the country. Growth accelerated in 2022, with volume reaching 440 thousand tons, driven significantly by an outbreak of African swine fever in the pork sector which increased chicken consumption by approximately 80%. To meet this surge in demand and contain prices, authorities authorized additional import quotas under the DR-CAFTA trade agreement and established a zero-tariff rate for six months on fresh, chilled, or frozen chicken meat and parts.

The expansion continued into 2023, with the market volume climbing to 463 thousand tons. This was underpinned by a notable increase in broiler production, which rose by over 16 million units monthly compared to 2022, allowing the industry to close the year with an output exceeding 432 thousand tons. Concurrently, a proposal for a pignoration system to monetize refrigerated chicken inventories highlighted ongoing efforts to improve financing for producers and sustain sector growth.

Production chicken meat and offal in Dominican Republic

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of chicken meat and offal, 2017-2020

World map of production of chicken meat and offal, 2017-2020

After two years of growth, the Dominican Republic's chicken meat and offal production volume declined. In 2020, the country produced 292.1 thousand tons, which represents a 17.6% decrease compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production fell by 13.7%, equating to an annualized decline of 4.8%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 354.7 thousand tons, while the largest annual increase occurred in 2018 at 3.1%.

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

Exports chicken meat and offal from Dominican Republic

Exports in kind, t

The market showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2020 and peaked in 2019, with a 6.4-fold difference between these years. In 2020, chicken meat and offal exports from the Dominican Republic totaled 2,750 tons, marking an 84.5% drop from the previous year. The maximum export volume was recorded in 2019 at 17,709 tons, and the largest annual increase occurred in 2018 at 53.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Haiti was the dominant destination for chicken meat and offal exports from the Dominican Republic, accounting for 98.8% of total export 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 exhibited volatility over the observed period. Export values fluctuated significantly, with a 10-fold difference between the high in 2018 and the low in 2020. In 2020, chicken meat and offal exports from the Dominican Republic reached 1,651 thousand US dollars, representing an 85.2% decrease from the previous year. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 16,573 thousand US dollars, and the largest annual increase also occurred in 2018 at 100.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Haiti served as the primary market for chicken meat and offal exports from the Dominican Republic in value terms, consistently absorbing 97.2% 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 chicken meat and offal to Dominican Republic

Imports in kind, t

The Dominican Republic's chicken meat and offal import volume increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, import volume totaled 54,858 tons, showing an 8.0% gain compared to the prior year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 84.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 22.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States dominated the structure of chicken meat and offal imports to the Dominican Republic in volume terms, accounting for 99.4% of total import 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

Chicken meat and offal imports to the Dominican Republic increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country imported approximately 61,577 thousand US dollars worth of chicken meat and offal, up by 6.6% year-over-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 62.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 17.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, imports of chicken meat and offal to the Dominican Republic in value terms were almost entirely tied to the United States, which accounted for 99.5% of total import 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