Coconut oil and fractions market in Dominican Republic

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2021, the coconut oil market in the Dominican Republic expanded from 7,309 t to 7,500 t, despite domestic production holding steady at 7,300 t. This growth was fueled by rising imports, which responded to increasing local and international demand for coconut oil, buoyed by its growing popularity in health, beauty, and industrial applications. However, domestic output remained constrained by longstanding structural issues, including aging coconut plantations, low productivity, and limited access to credit, reinforcing reliance on imported raw materials.

After a dip to 7,314 t in 2022, the market volume jumped to 7,745 t in 2023. This surge coincided with the relaunch of the FEDA's national plan for the coconut sector, backed by an 883 million peso investment aimed at boosting local production and reducing import dependency. Concurrently, the entry of new players, such as Dipesa International Group with its first export of young coconuts to the United States, signaled heightened market activity. Imports soared to 579 t in 2023, compensating for the persistent bottlenecks in local supply.

Production coconut oil and fractions in Dominican Republic

In kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, the Dominican Republic ranked as the 22nd largest producer of coconut oil and fractions globally.

Top producers of coconut oil and fractions, 2017-2020

World map of production of coconut oil and fractions, 2017-2020

In 2020, the Dominican Republic produced 7 300 tonnes of coconut oil and fractions, showing minimal change from 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2018, at 0.0%, while the largest increase was also recorded in 2018, at 0.0%.

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

Exports coconut oil and fractions from Dominican Republic

Exports in kind, t

Dominican Republic's coconut oil and fractions exports declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 53.2 tonnes, a 37.4% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 66.1%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -30.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main markets for Dominican Republic's coconut oil and fractions exports in kind were the United States (42.1% of exports), Italy (37.8% of exports), and South Korea (10.3% of exports). Together, these three countries accounted for 90.2% 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

Coconut oil and fractions exports from the Dominican Republic declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 221.3 thousand US dollars, reflecting a significant decline of 17.6% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 53%, equating to an annualized rate of -22.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States (57.8% of exports in value terms), Italy (15.8% of exports in value terms), and Trinidad and Tobago (6.5% of exports in value terms) led the structure of exports in value terms. Together, they represented 80.1% of total export flows.

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 coconut oil and fractions to Dominican Republic

Imports in kind, t

Coconut oil and fractions imports into the Dominican Republic increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 172.2 tonnes, up by 62.8% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 23%, equating to an annualized rate of -8.3%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 104.2 tonnes, with the largest decline of 53.4% also occurring in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main sources for coconut oil and fractions imports in kind to the Dominican Republic were the Philippines (24.0% of imports), Sri Lanka (21.8% of imports), and the United States (8.8% of imports). Together, these three countries accounted for 54.7% 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

After a two-year decline, coconut oil and fractions imports into the Dominican Republic increased. In 2020, imports totaled 579.7 thousand US dollars, representing a steep gain of 53.6% versus the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 22.1%, equating to an annualized rate of -8.0%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 377.5 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline of 40.1% occurring in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main markets for coconut oil and fractions imports in value terms to the Dominican Republic were the Philippines (23.4% of imports), Sri Lanka (21.8% of imports), and the United States (15.3% of imports). Together, they formed the primary cluster, accounting for 60.4% 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