Mario Mendez, the economic editor of Hoy, revealed that the United States could increase by 38,000 metric tons the sugar quota for the Dominican Republic in the preferential market, but that it is unlikely the country will be able to supply the additional amount due to production problems, primarily at the state sugar corporation. According to the newspaper, the sugar refiners in the U.S. have requested their Department of Commerce for an increase of 250,000 short tonnes, equivalent to 217,000 metric tons, of which the DR would receive 16.7%.