Cacao exports have declined 80% during the first eight months of the year compared to the same period in 1998. Exports during the first eight months of 1998 were US$92.5 million, while exports for the same period this year have been only US$18 million. Isidoro de la Rosa, of the Junta Agroempresarial Dominicana (JAD) says that the production of cacao was affected by Hurricane Georges. Only 30% of cacao trees were left standing. Cacao producers are seeking government support to plant new trees.
