Maize market in Dominican Republic

Earlier Report Observations

The Dominican Republic's maize market has long been characterized by heavy reliance on imports, as domestic production covered only 3–4% of apparent consumption in 2018. Persistent structural hurdles—including lack of government incentives, scarce certified seeds, unattractive producer prices, and the need for large land areas—have kept local output low. The government has maintained price support policies for maize, ranking it among the most subsidized agricultural products after sugar and chicken meat.

Market volume fluctuated between 1 330 and 1 516 thousand metric tons from 2018 to 2023. After reaching 1 433 thousand tons in 2019, volume dropped by 7% in 2020, a year when international maize prices were lower. Recovery followed in 2021, boosted by steady demand from the poultry and pork sectors, lifting the market to 1 474 thousand tons. A slight dip occurred in 2022 amid volatile grain prices and continued production constraints, with domestic harvests still satisfying less than 5% of estimated consumption.

By 2023, market volume rose to 1 516 thousand metric tons, supported by a notable increase in domestic production to 82 thousand tons—the highest level in the period. Nevertheless, imports remained essential, exceeding 1.4 million tons, as local output could not meet the needs of animal feed industries. The market’s trajectory reflects the ongoing tension between structural limits on farming and consistent demand from livestock producers.

Production maize in Dominican Republic

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of maize, 2017-2020

World map of production of maize, 2017-2020

Maize production in the Dominican Republic has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 51 131 tons of maize, marking a 2.6% increase from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 16.2%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 5.1%.

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

Exports maize from Dominican Republic

Exports in kind, K t

The market experienced significant fluctuations during this period. Import levels varied widely, with a 2.3-fold difference between the peak in 2017 and the low point in 2018. In 2020, the Dominican Republic exported 1 000 tons of maize, showing a moderate year-on-year decline of 7.8%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 1 000 tons. The sharpest drop occurred in 2018, with a 57.2% decrease, while the largest increase was in 2019, with a 101.4% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Haiti and the United States were the primary buyers of maize from the Dominican Republic, together accounting for 97.8% of total exports in volume. The remaining share was fragmented among various other countries.

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, M $ US

The market displayed notable volatility over the observed timeframe. The highest value was recorded in 2017, while the lowest was in 2018, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 4.6 times. In 2020, the Dominican Republic exported maize worth 0.7 million US dollars, down by 18.6% compared to 2019. The minimum value was in 2018 at 0.5 million US dollars. The most significant decline occurred in 2018, with a 78.1% drop, and the largest increase was in 2019, with a 73.2% rise.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Haiti remained the leading buyer of maize from the Dominican Republic in value terms, capturing 87.3% of total exports. The rest was distributed among numerous 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 maize to Dominican Republic

Imports in kind, K t

Following two years of growth, maize imports into the Dominican Republic declined. In 2020, imports reached 1 280 000 tons, representing a modest 7.5% decrease from the prior year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 3.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of -1.2%. The highest import volume was in 2019 at 1 384 000 tons. The largest increase was recorded in 2019, with a 2.3% rise.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the United States and Brazil dominated maize imports into the Dominican Republic in volume, together making up 92.3% of the total. The remaining share was spread across other destinations, each contributing smaller amounts.

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, M $ US

After a two-year upward trend, maize imports into the Dominican Republic in value terms decreased. In 2020, imports totaled 260.4 million US dollars, a 10.3% drop from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 3.7%, averaging an annual growth rate of 1.2%. The peak value was in 2019 at 290.4 million US dollars. The most substantial increase occurred in 2018, with an 11.3% rise.

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

During 2017-2020, the United States and Brazil were the key players in maize imports by value, jointly accounting for 91.7% of total flows. The remainder was allocated among other destinations.

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

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