The taste and nutritious properties of the Dominican mango and avocado have won over different markets, such as the United States, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Spain and other countries in Europe, as reported in Fresh Plaza.
According to statistics from the Ministry of Agriculture, last year, avocado exports grew by 91.2%, going from US$16.6 million in 2015 to US$ 31.7 million in 2016. Meanwhile, mango exports increased by 28.8%, going from US$15.7 million in 2015 to US$20.2 million in 2016.
According to Jose Rosa, the president of the Avocado Cluster, the Dominican Republic produces 200 to 300 thousand tons of avocados per year, of which it exports around 30 thousand tons (10%). The remaining 90% is consumed in the country.
Rafael Leger, president of the Mango Cluser says that this year, the outlook is better because there are more mango orchards established. He said that the country had some 17,000 tareas, i.e. a little more than one thousand hectares, devoted to this crop in 2003-2004; now, the country has about 100 thousand tareas, i.e. approximately 6 thousand hectares.
Meanwhile, the outlook for avocado producers is not that great because the recent rains, which occurred when the plantations were flowering, damaging the future harvest. In addition, the downpours destroyed the roads that give access to the area of Cambita, in San Cristobal, where 35% of the green avocado plantations are, and producers cannot enter their fields.
Most of the avocado production takes place in the South: in San Cristobal, Elias Piña, Pedernales, Bahoruco, San Juan, Ocoa, Padre de la Casas, and Barahona. In addition, there are crops in Puerto Plata (Altamira), Moca (Villa Trina), La Romana, Hato Mayor, and El Seibo.
The most marketed mango is of the Keith variety, followed by the mingolo, banilejo, gold grain, and golden drop varieties. This fruit is mainly produced in Peravia, San Cristobal, Azua, San Juan, Barahona and Neyba.
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Fresh Plaza
13 June 2017
