Sheep and goat meat market in Dominican Republic

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2023, domestic production of sheep and goat meat in the Dominican Republic steadily declined from 3 573 tons to 3 186 tons. Imports dropped sharply in 2020 and 2021 but rebounded strongly thereafter, leading the total market volume to fall from 4 037 tons in 2018 to a low of 3 558 tons in 2021 before recovering to 3 773 tons by 2023.

The resurgence in imports was primarily driven by changing consumer habits, growth of the middle class, and a significant boost from tourism, which brought 10.3 million visitors in 2023. This shift toward frozen meat products, favored for their longer shelf life, continued to support high import levels into 2024. Concurrently, regulatory developments such as the extension of accredited animal welfare certification to primary sheep and goat production centers in 2023 aimed to improve production standards.

Trade policy measures, including the temporary extension of import tariffs on meat products in 2023 and updated sanitary agreements for meat exports in 2024, shaped the market environment. Meanwhile, the sector's potential for growth was highlighted by industry groups, linking production to tourism for job creation, though domestic output continued its downward trend throughout the period.

Production sheep and goat meat in Dominican Republic

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of sheep and goat meat, 2017-2020

World map of production of sheep and goat meat, 2017-2020

After two consecutive years of growth, sheep and goat meat production in the Dominican Republic experienced a decline. In 2020, the country produced 3,500 tons of sheep and goat meat, marking a 2.8% decrease from the previous year. The peak production level was recorded in 2019 at 3,601 tons, which also saw the largest annual increase of 0.8%.

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

Exports sheep and goat meat from Dominican Republic

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited significant volatility during this period. Export volumes reached their highest point in 2018 before plummeting to their lowest in 2020, representing a dramatic 242-fold difference between the peak and trough. In 2020, sheep and goat meat exports from the Dominican Republic totaled just 0.2 tons, reflecting a substantial 99.6% drop compared to 2019. The maximum export volume was recorded in 2018 at 55.3 tons, which also saw the largest percentage increase of 4,129.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Haiti and the United States were the dominant destinations for Dominican Republic's sheep and goat meat exports, collectively accounting for 99.9% of total export volumes.

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 demonstrated considerable volatility throughout the observed period. Export values peaked in 2018 before falling to their lowest point in 2020, with the peak value being 203 times higher than the trough. In 2020, sheep and goat meat shipments from the Dominican Republic generated $1,000 in export revenue, representing a 99.5% decrease from the previous year. The maximum export value was recorded in 2018 at $236,000, which also experienced the largest percentage increase of 1,997.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Haiti and the United States clearly dominated as the primary buyers of Dominican Republic's sheep and goat meat exports, together accounting for 99.8% of total export value.

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 sheep and goat meat to Dominican Republic

Imports in kind, t

Sheep and goat meat imports into the Dominican Republic declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 173.4 tons, representing a sharp 62.8% decrease compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports fell by 66.1%, equivalent to an annualized decline rate of 30.3%. The maximum import volume was recorded in 2018 at 519.1 tons, which also saw the largest percentage increase of 1.4%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, Australia remained the primary source for sheep and goat meat imports into the Dominican Republic, accounting for 87.4% of total import volumes, while the remaining imports were distributed across numerous other countries.

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

Following two years of growth, sheep and goat meat imports into the Dominican Republic declined. In 2020, import expenditures reached $1,593,000, representing a 58.4% year-over-year decrease. Over the 2017-2020 period, import values fell by 49.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of -20.5%. The maximum import value was recorded in 2019 at $3,826,000, which also experienced the largest percentage increase of 14.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Australia accounted for 82.5% of the total value of sheep and goat meat imports into the Dominican Republic, with the remaining imports distributed across a wide range of smaller trading partners.

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

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