The American Chamber of Commerce reports that Dominican exports to the US declined 4.7% during the period January-October, reaching US$3,547 million. Imports, on the other hand, increased 3.2%, up to US$4,24 million. The DR has a US$124 million surplus with the US. The decline in exports is attributed to the decline in the growth rate of Dominican apparel exports and to the decline in agriculture exports in general, primarily due to the effects of Hurricane Georges. During the first 10 months of 1999, cut garments imported for assembly by free zones was US$900 million, down 3.7%. Apparel exports were US$1,910 million during the first 10 months of 1999. The DR is the fourth largest supplier of apparel to the US. Dominican textile exports grew only 0.3% during the period. Mexico, a signatory of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), has competitive advantages over the DR. The DR has its hopes on the passing of a textile parity bill, at present being considered by the US Congress, to reinstate its previous growing pace of textile exports. The other major exports to the US are electronic components (US$295 million, up 4.7%) and medical instruments (US$290 million, up 3.5%). Footwear exports dropped 13.8%, with exports at US$207 million. The parity bill would also have a beneficial effect on Dominican footwear exports. Cigar exports to the US were US$149 million last year. Tobacco exports in general (US$177 million) declined 24%, reflecting a drop in US tobacco product consumption. The DR is the leading supplier of cigars to the US. In 1997, it had 57% of the US market, which increased to 67% by October 1999. Sugar exports dropped 34%, with total exports at a low of US$76 million. Cocoa exports went from US$69 million to US$17 million, and coffee exports from US$31 million to US$10 million, due to the effects of Hurricane Georges on coffee and cocoa plantations. Fruit produce exports to the US grew. Exports of bananas, melons, coconuts, avocados and citrics were US$20 million. But overall, the effect of Georges on Dominican agriculture is reflected in the statistics that show that farm produce declined 53%, going from US$482 million during the first 10 months of 1998 to US$316 million for the same period in 1999. The Dominican Republic is the 28th largest importer of US products in the world. In Latin America, only Mexico, Brazil and Venezuela buy more from the US than the Dominican Republic. It is also the 31nd largest exporter to the United States.
