Dominican Republic wish to become the largest exporter of organic bananas
Through export of organic bananas last year, the country generated a turnover of over 140 million US dollars (102 million Euro), and also became the most productive sector of national agricultural production thanks to investment from President Danilo Medina and the 'La Cruz de Manzanillo' project where the cultivation area was expanded by 1.5 hectares for the production of organic bananas suitable for export.
Total banana cultivation in the Dominican Republic presently stands at more than 21,000 hectares, of which 11,831 hectares are used for organic bananas. Rodriguez announced that next to expansion of the area, Manzanillo harbour would be enlarged and made deeper so that large ships could dock before sailing on through the new Panama Canal opening. He believes that cultivation of organic bananas offers the greatest opportunities for competitiveness and profit in Montecristi's agricultural sector.