Foods without chemical additives, grown on Dominican soil, gain space in the international markets, reported the Center for Export and Investment of the Dominican Republic (CEI-RD).
Domestic exports of organic bananas, avocados, peppers, eggplant, mango, pineapple, lemon, tomato, cucumber, orange, grapefruit, aloe Vera, coffee and cocoa represented revenues of USD 205 million in 2011.
In the past five years, organic agriculture exports increased from USD 74 million in 2006 to USD 200 million in 2010, of which organic cocoa accounted for more than 50 percent.
According to official figures, The Dominican Republic has 145,000 hectares dedicated to organic agriculture and there are 23,206 farmers.
According to the CEI-RD, the country has become one of the largest organic crop producers.
Organic avocado exports are going to markets in the United States, Puerto Rico, Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Netherlands Antilles, France, Spain, Germany, Italy, Virgin Islands, Switzerland, Jamaica, Canada, Aruba and Martinique.
International organizations certify this growing Dominican presence in the market for organic products. Due to this, the Bureau of Organic Agriculture (OCAO) has conducted 67 courses for operators to encourage the promotion of these crops.
The main organic vegetable plantations are in Cibao Central and Northwest regions and the South with the cultivation of cocoa, coffee, coconut, mango, lemon, cassava and orange.
Source: Prensa Latina