Paddy rice market in Dominican Republic

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for paddy rice in the Dominican Republic fluctuated between 2018 and 2023. It started at 965 thousand metric tons in 2018, dipped to 919 thousand metric tons in 2019, then gradually recovered to 935 thousand metric tons in 2020. A significant increase followed in 2021, reaching 1,006 thousand metric tons, a level maintained in 2022. However, in 2023, the market volume declined to 926 thousand metric tons.

Throughout this period, domestic production largely met national demand, with average annual production around 13.8 million quintals between 2019 and 2023. Rice prices remained relatively low in 2019 and 2020, which may have supported consumption. No major regulatory changes were reported during these years, contributing to market stability despite the volume fluctuations.

In 2024, the government implemented new policies to protect domestic rice producers. President Luis Abinader issued Decree 693-24, setting a maximum import quota of 23,000 tons at 0% tariff and a 99% tariff for excess imports. Law 75-24 was also approved to modify food sovereignty legislation. These measures aimed to shield local production from international competition, reflecting the strategic importance of rice for food security.

Production paddy rice in Dominican Republic

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of paddy rice, 2017-2020

World map of production of paddy rice, 2017-2020

In 2020, the Dominican Republic produced 934.8 thousand tons of paddy rice, marking a 1.7% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 3.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.1%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 965.3 thousand tons. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 4.7% drop, while the biggest increase was in 2018 with a 6.7% rise.

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

Exports paddy rice from Dominican Republic

Exports in kind, kg

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Exports bottomed in 2018 and peaked in 2017, with a 21-fold difference between these years. In 2020, the Dominican Republic's paddy rice export volume reached 1,702 kg, representing a sharp 42.1% increase compared to 2019. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 240 kg. The largest decline occurred in 2018 with a 95.2% drop, while the biggest increase was in 2019 with a 398.1% surge.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Dominican Republic in kind, 2017-2020, kg

From 2017 to 2020, Haiti was the primary destination for paddy rice exports from the Dominican Republic, accounting for 94.7% 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, $ US

Paddy rice exports from the Dominican Republic declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country exported $2,618 worth of paddy rice, showing a moderate 8.8% contraction compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 32.5%, equivalent to an annualized decline of 12.3%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at $5,472. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 47.6% drop, while the biggest increase was in 2018 with a 41.0% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Haiti dominated paddy rice exports in value terms, accounting for 85.5% of total flows, while the remaining share was distributed among various smaller destinations.

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 paddy rice to Dominican Republic

Imports in kind, kg

Paddy rice imports into the Dominican Republic declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports were recorded at 7,126 kg, down by 61.0% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 79.8%, equating to an annualized decline of 41.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Dominican Republic in kind, 2017-2020, kg

From 2017 to 2020, China and Spain dominated paddy rice imports in volume terms, together accounting for 84.4% of total flows, with other destinations making smaller individual contributions.

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, $ US

Volatility characterized the market behavior during these years. Import values dropped to their minimum in 2019 and climbed to their maximum in 2017, with a 19-fold shift between these years. In 2020, paddy rice import volumes in the Dominican Republic reached $4,094, reflecting a dramatic 72.1% year-over-year increase. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at $2,379. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with an 87.6% drop.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China and Spain formed a dominant pair of markets for paddy rice imports in value terms, jointly accounting for 90.1% of total flows, while other countries represented the residual share.

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

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