The export ban affecting farm exports from the Dominican Republic to the United States has been good news for consumers. As reported, the ban caused a drop of at least 26% in food prices. For instance, the average price of salad tomatoes dropped from RD$29 a pound in February to RD$21.47 a pound in April, according to figures from the Ministry of Agriculture. Salad tomatoes are on the list of 18 products banned by the US Department of Agriculture after Medfly was detected in a trans-shipment at Punta Cana International Airport.
The president of the greenhouse cluster, Jose Miguel de Pena Jimenez said that the average price of bell peppers dropped from RD$38.25 to RD$28.29 in April, or 26%.
Minister of Industry and Commerce Jose del Castillo Savinon has estimated losses at US$61 million.
Jose Miguel de Pena said the ban was bankrupting farmers.
http://www.diariolibre.com/economia/2015/05/12/i1142991_precios-vegetales-vedados-derrumban-sector-minorista.html