Citrus fruit market in Dominican Republic

Earlier Report Observations

The Dominican citrus fruit market saw initial expansion in 2018-2019, buoyed by robust export demand from Europe and the United States for organic produce, with local entities such as Citrex Dominicana and ECOCIBAO supplying organic inputs and biological pest control. This growth was tempered by the persistent Huanglongbing (HLB) disease, which damaged groves. A sharp contraction followed in 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted commercial activity, raised logistics costs, and compounded HLB-related losses, pulling market volume down to 315 000 t.

A turnaround commenced in 2021 with the implementation of the National Export Promotion Plan 2020-2030, contributing to a 3.7% rise in citrus production that year. The recovery gained momentum through 2022 and 2023, with market volume climbing to 435 500 t in 2023. This sustained growth was fueled by stronger domestic consumption linked to a resurgence in tourism, alongside heightened U.S. demand for Dominican tropical fruits driven by quality and organic certifications. Concurrently, updated phytosanitary regulations and export protocols improved access to key international markets.

Throughout the period, public and private investment targeted infrastructure, logistics, and promotional support, helping the sector expand despite the ongoing challenge of HLB. By 2024, the focus included enlarging citrus and tropical fruit plantations, responding to increased local demand from tourism, and catering to consumer preferences for organic and healthy products.

Production citrus fruit in Dominican Republic

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of citrus fruit, 2017-2020

World map of production of citrus fruit, 2017-2020

Citrus fruit production in the Dominican Republic saw a two-year increase before declining. In 2019, production reached its peak at 392.7 thousand tons. However, by 2020, output had fallen to 314.5 thousand tons, marking a 19.9% decrease compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production dropped by 15.4%, which translates to an average annual decline of 5.4%. The largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2018, when production rose by 4.1%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The value of citrus fruit production in the Dominican Republic has declined for three consecutive years. In 2020, production was valued at 212.7 million US dollars, down 24.0% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, the value of production decreased by 43.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of -17.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Dominican Republic in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports citrus fruit from Dominican Republic

Exports in kind, t

The export market for citrus fruit from the Dominican Republic showed significant volatility in recent years. Exports peaked in 2018 at 9 420 tons, but by 2020, they had dropped to 4 490 tons, representing a 38.1% decrease from 2019. This created a 2.1-fold difference between the highest and lowest points. The largest increase occurred in 2018, with exports surging by 83.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States and Haiti were the dominant destinations for Dominican Republic citrus fruit exports in volume terms. The United States accounted for 40.9% of total exports, while Haiti made up 39.9%. Together, these two countries represented 80.9% of all exports, with the remaining volume distributed among other trading partners.

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 value of citrus fruit exports from the Dominican Republic declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports were valued at 3 037 thousand US dollars, a sharp 41.3% drop from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value decreased by 41.3%, equivalent to an average annual decline of 16.3%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 7 781 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 50.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Haiti and the United States remained the primary buyers of Dominican Republic citrus fruit in value terms. Together, they accounted for 86.1% of total export value, while the remaining share was fragmented among other countries.

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 citrus fruit to Dominican Republic

Imports in kind, t

Citrus fruit imports into the Dominican Republic increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 5 221 tons, up 11.9% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import volume grew by 36.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 10.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, Peru, and Chile were the main sources of citrus fruit imports into the Dominican Republic by volume. The United States supplied 37.1% of imports, Peru contributed 29.7%, and Chile accounted for 17.5%. Combined, these three countries represented 84.3% 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

The value of citrus fruit imports into the Dominican Republic rose for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports reached 7 882 thousand US dollars, a 32.1% increase compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, import value grew by 72.8%, which equates to an average annual increase of 20.0%.

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

In the 2017-2020 period, the United States, Chile, and Peru were the leading sources of citrus fruit imports into the Dominican Republic by value. The United States accounted for 49.1% of import value, Chile for 21.2%, and Peru for 16.8%. Together, these three markets made up 87.1% 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