Pork market in Dominican Republic

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the pork market in the Dominican Republic expanded gradually, with volume rising from 113 thousand tonnes to 118 thousand tonnes. Imports were facilitated by the DR-CAFTA free-trade agreement, which provided tariff-free quotas for U.S. pork, while the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 caused regional supply-chain disruptions without halting growth.

A significant shift occurred in 2021 when an outbreak of African swine fever (PPA) led to mass culling of pigs, temporarily boosting domestic production to 101 thousand tonnes. Consumer concerns increased chicken consumption, and imports surged by 45% to fill the supply gap, pushing total market volume to 154 thousand tonnes. In response, authorities implemented the National Swine Biosecurity Plan (PNB) in 2022, strengthening surveillance to reduce transmission risks and maintain import flows from the United States.

The focus on biosecurity continued in 2023 with a preventive suspension of pork imports from Spain after a PPA outbreak there. Domestic production remained subdued at 65 thousand tonnes due to the earlier culling, while imports reached 95 thousand tonnes, keeping overall market volume stable at around 159 thousand tonnes. By 2024, pork imports exceeded 102 thousand tonnes, sustained by the DR-CAFTA framework and ongoing sanitary vigilance that reduced PPA exposure risk.

Production pork in Dominican Republic

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of pork, 2017-2020

World map of production of pork, 2017-2020

Pork production in the Dominican Republic has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 80 809 tons of pork, showing a slight increase of 1.1% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production grew by 4.5%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 1.5%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 75 954 tons, marking the largest decline of 1.7% during this period. Conversely, the most significant increase occurred in 2019, with production rising by 5.3%.

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

Exports pork from Dominican Republic

Exports in kind, t

The market displayed an unstable trend throughout the observed period. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019, while the lowest occurred in 2018, resulting in a peak-to-trough ratio of 18 times. In 2020, pork exports from the Dominican Republic totaled 27 tons, reflecting a dramatic decrease of 70.6% compared to the previous year. The minimum value was 5 tons in 2018, and the maximum was 91 tons in 2019. The largest decline of 71.7% was recorded in 2018, while the most substantial increase of 1 741.1% occurred in 2019.

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

From 2017 to 2020, pork exports from the Dominican Republic were primarily directed towards Haiti and the United States. Together, these two destinations accounted for 81.6% of total export flows, with other markets playing a secondary role.

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 data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Export values peaked in 2019 and reached their lowest point in 2018, with a difference of 9.7 times between these two years. In 2020, the value of pork exports from the Dominican Republic amounted to 49 thousand US dollars, marking a steep drop of 77.3% from 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 22 thousand US dollars, while the maximum was 214 thousand US dollars in 2019. The largest increase of 872.5% occurred in 2019.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Haiti and the United States were the main destinations for pork exports in value terms, jointly accounting for 85.1% of total flows. The remaining share was distributed among other markets.

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 pork to Dominican Republic

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, the Dominican Republic imported a total of 36 853 tons of pork, which is 17.9% higher than the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 27.2%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 8.4%. The maximum import volume was recorded in 2018 at 37 465 tons. The largest decline of 16.6% occurred in 2019, while the most significant increase of 29.4% was recorded in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, virtually all pork imports to the Dominican Republic in volume terms were associated with the United States, which accounted for 99.5% 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

In 2020, the Dominican Republic imported pork worth 85 847 thousand US dollars, reflecting a significant rise of 20.6% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 26.6%, translating to an annualized growth rate of 8.2%. The largest decline of 16.1% was recorded in 2019, while the most substantial increase of 25.1% occurred in 2018.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the import market structure was highly concentrated, with the United States alone responsible for 99.2% of total imports in value terms.

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

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