The Dominican Republic avocado exports currently exceed US $ 30 million per year, i.e. an increase of 150% on 2006, when they only amounted to US $11 million, according to official data. The main market destinations for this product are the United States, Spain, France, the Netherlands, Great Britain, and Italy.
This data was provided during a meeting in which the National Confederation of Agricultural Producers (Confenagro) began the creation of the National Avocado Cluster, to promote the cultivation of this important export item. The meeting was attended by more than 50 producers from all regions.
The world produces around 4.7 million tons of avocados, and the Dominican Republic accounts for 8%, of the production with almost 400,000 tons, which makes it the second biggest producer in the world after Mexico, which produces 31%.
The Dominican Republic is also the 12th biggest exporter of avocados in the world, which reflects that the country's consumption is very high.
According to Hecmilio Galvan, the executive vice president of Confenagro, there are between 3,000 and 4,000 producers with more than 18 hectares, scattered in the provinces of San Cristobal, Elias Piña, Pedernales, Bahoruco, San Juan, Ocoa, Azua, and Barahona. In addition, there are crops in Puerto Plata (Altamira), Moca (Villa Trina), La Romana, Hato Mayor, and El Seibo.
The main varieties produced are the Carla, Semil 34, and the Hass varieties.
The National Avocado Cluster, which was recently created, will group all the associations of producers of each of the producing regions. Engineer Eduardo Melo will be in charge of coordinating the management committee.
Source: almomento.net