Journalist John Collins of Caribbean Business reports that the Dominican Republic is the largest importer of US foodstuffs in the Caribbean region. He highlights that the DR imported US$542.6 million last year, which is one-third of the total US$1.7 billion received by the entire region.
According to statistics recently released by the Foreign Agricultural Service (FSA) of the US Department of Agriculture in Washington, the next five countries on the list, led by Jamaica, each accounted for more than $100 million in foodstuffs. Fourth on the list is Cuba, which received $138.6 million under the special provisions of the Trade Sanctions Reform and Export Enhancement Act (TSRA) of 2000 which authorizes direct commercial sale of foodstuffs to Cuban government agencies on a cash basis.
CHART
US Exports of Foodstuffs to the Caribbean in 2002
1. Dominican Republic $542.6 million
2. Jamaica $191.1 million
3. Haiti $172 million
4. Cuba $138.6 million
5. Bahamas $130.2 million
6. Trinidad & Tobago $120.4 million
7. Netherlands Antilles $57.2 million
8. Bermuda $52 million
9. Barbados $41 million
10. Cayman Islands $29.3 million
11 Aruba $29.2 million
12 Guyana $22.5 million
13 Belize $19.8 million
14 Suriname $17.6 million
15 Antigua-Barbuda $12.4 million
16 British Virgin Islands $10.5 million
17 St. Lucia $8.6 million
18 Grenada $6.3 million
19 Dominica $5.5 million
20 Turks & Caicos Islands $4.1 million
21 St. Kitts & Nevis $3.5 million
22 Anguilla $2.5 million
23 Guadeloupe $1.9 million
24 Martinique $1.5 million
25 Montserrat $806,535
26 French Guyana $554.333