Primary sugar crops market in Dominican Republic

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the market volume for primary sugar crops in the Dominican Republic saw significant fluctuations. Production dropped to 4 896 thousand tonnes in 2019 due to higher temperatures that reduced sugarcane milling yields. However, the market recovered to 5 317 thousand tonnes in 2020, driven by increased domestic demand for both raw and refined sugar.

Growth continued in 2021 and 2022, with the market reaching 5 800 thousand tonnes. This expansion was supported by the reallocation of U.S. export quotas among producers and the strengthening of national food safety and technical regulations for the sugar sector. In 2022, U.S. sanctions against Central Romana over alleged forced labor indicators led to a redistribution of the export quota to other Dominican mills.

In 2023, the market volume experienced a slight decrease to 5 669 thousand tonnes, reflecting in part the reported 22% production decline during the 2022-2023 harvest. Concurrently, the reactivation of the state-owned Ingenio Porvenir mill, with planned sugarcane processing of 200 thousand tonnes, and a government modernization plan aiming to mechanize cultivation began to shape the industry.

Production primary sugar crops in Dominican Republic

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of primary sugar crops, 2017-2020

World map of production of primary sugar crops, 2017-2020

In 2019, the Dominican Republic produced 4,896 K t of primary sugar crops, marking the lowest output in recent years. Production then rebounded in 2020 to 5,317 K t, representing an 8.6% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, overall production declined by 2.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 0.9%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 5,809 K t, while the most significant drop occurred in 2019 with a 15.7% decrease.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The value of primary sugar crops production in the Dominican Republic declined for the second consecutive year in 2020, reaching 4,366 M $ US, which was 0.7% lower than in 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value fell by 11.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.1%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 6,259 M $ US, while the largest decline of 29.7% occurred in 2019. In contrast, 2018 saw the most substantial increase at 26.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in Dominican Republic in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports primary sugar crops from Dominican Republic

Exports in kind, kg

The export market for primary sugar crops showed significant volatility during this period. In 2017, exports hit their lowest point, then surged to a peak of 48,092 kg in 2018, representing a 114.0% increase. By 2020, exports had declined to 33,186 kg, marking a 4.0% year-over-year decrease. The most significant drop occurred in 2019 with a 28.1% decline. Overall, exports varied by 2.1 times between the high in 2018 and the low in 2017.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, France, and the Turks and Caicos Islands were consistently the main destinations for Dominican Republic's primary sugar crop exports in kind. The United States accounted for 56.7% of exports, France for 14.5%, and the Turks and Caicos Islands for 12.7%. Together, these three markets represented 83.9% 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

Export values for primary sugar crops exhibited an unstable trend from 2017 to 2020. In 2017, values reached their lowest point, then jumped to a peak of 51,818 $ US in 2018, reflecting a 154.6% increase. By 2020, export values had fallen to 27,252 $ US, showing a 12.3% decline compared to 2019. The most significant decrease occurred in 2019 with a 40.0% drop. Overall, export values fluctuated by 2.5 times between the high in 2018 and the low in 2017.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, France, and Canada consistently led as the top destinations for Dominican Republic's primary sugar crop exports in value terms. The United States accounted for 68.6% of export value, France for 10.1%, and Canada for 6.6%. Collectively, these three countries represented 85.4% 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 primary sugar crops to Dominican Republic

Imports in kind, kg

Import volumes for primary sugar crops showed considerable volatility during these years. In 2018, imports reached their lowest point, then spiked to a maximum in 2020, with a 40-fold difference between these two years. In 2020, the Dominican Republic imported 4,340 kg of primary sugar crops, representing a 96.1% decrease compared to 2019.

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

From 2017 to 2020, imports in kind of primary sugar crops to the Dominican Republic were almost entirely sourced from China, which accounted for 100.0% 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, $ US

Import values for primary sugar crops were highly volatile during this period. In 2018, values hit their lowest point, while 2017 saw the peak, with a 22-fold difference between these years. In 2020, the Dominican Republic imported 2,587 $ US worth of primary sugar crops, reflecting a 95.4% decline compared to the previous year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the geographical pattern of imports in value terms showed a strong dependence on China, which absorbed 97.7% 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