Potato market in Dominican Republic

Earlier Report Observations

The market for fresh or chilled potatoes in the Dominican Republic expanded consistently from 95.6 thousand tons in 2018 to 134.8 thousand tons in 2023. This growth was primarily driven by strong domestic consumption, which reached a decade-high per capita level of 26.82 pounds in 2023. The tourism sector also contributed to increased demand, particularly for frozen potato products.

While domestic production showed fluctuations, gains in productivity were reported, including an average annual increase of 4.2% in 2020. However, local output could not meet the rising consumption, leading to a growing dependence on imports. Import volumes rose from 11.4 thousand tons in 2018 to 30.3 thousand tons in 2023, reflecting sustained internal demand that exceeded national supply.

By 2024, import volumes had further increased to 38.5 thousand tons, and the agricultural sector achieved a record potato harvest of 800,000 quintals, indicating continued efforts to boost production. Consumer preference for potatoes continued to strengthen, supporting market activity.

Production potato in Dominican Republic

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of potato, 2017-2020

World map of production of potato, 2017-2020

Potato production in the Dominican Republic saw a two-year increase before declining. In 2020, the country produced 89 125 tonnes of potatoes, marking a 5.2% decrease from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, overall production grew by 5.9%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 1.9%. The peak production occurred in 2019, reaching 94 056 tonnes, with the largest year-on-year increase of 6.2% also recorded that year.

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

Exports potato from Dominican Republic

Exports in kind, t

The market displayed an unstable trend throughout the period. Export volumes reached their lowest point in 2020 and peaked in 2019, with a 5.4-fold difference between these years. In 2020, foreign potato supplies from the Dominican Republic amounted to 1 085 tonnes, down by 81.5% compared to 2019. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 5 874 tonnes, with the largest increase of 33.9% also occurring that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Haiti dominated the partner structure of exports in kind, consistently accounting for 96.7% of total 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

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. A 8.3-fold variation was noted between the minimum in 2020 and the maximum in 2019. In 2020, cross-border shipments of potatoes from the Dominican Republic totalled 206 thousand US dollars, reflecting a sharp fall of 88.0% year-over-year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 1 708 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase of 19.0% also in 2019.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Haiti was the principal market for potatoes from the Dominican Republic, accounting for 87.1% of total exports in value terms, while other destinations formed a less significant portion.

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 potato to Dominican Republic

Imports in kind, t

Dominican Republic's potato imports increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports tallied 14 112 tonnes, showing a substantial advance of 13.4% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 32.9%, equating to an annualized rate of 9.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States (57.9% of imports in kind), the Netherlands (18.3% of imports in kind), and Canada (14.8% of imports in kind) were the largest suppliers of potatoes to the Dominican Republic, together forming 90.9% of total imports in kind.

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 rise, cross-border shipments of potatoes to the Dominican Republic declined. In 2020, the Dominican Republic imported 7 807 thousand US dollars of potatoes, corresponding to a decline of 1.1% year-over-year. Over the period 2017-2020, imports increased by 19.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.2%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 7 896 thousand US dollars, and the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 13.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States (60.6% of imports in value terms), Canada (14.4% of imports in value terms), and the Netherlands (12.3% of imports in value terms) led the structure of imports in value terms, together representing 87.3% of total 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