Agriculture specialists say that the Dominican Republic could lose more than it is gaining with the import of low-costing plantains from Central America and Ecuador. The government authorized the import when local prices hit highs above RD$20 the unit.
As reported in Hoy, the specialists now say that the plantains could bring with them Moko disease (caused by Ralstonia solanacearum Bacteria), that is widespread in Central America. Local plantain trees are known to be free from the fast-spreading disease.
El Caribe reported last week 4.25 million units of plantains were imported from Ecuador and Guatemala by merchants after the import was authorized by the Ministry of Agriculture. The Ministry has said the stores have to sell the plantains for RD$15 or less the unit.
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