Dominican rice production guarantees national supply without the need for imports
The Minister of Agriculture, Francisco Oliverio Espaillat Bencosme, confirmed that since the beginning of his administration in January 2026, the country has not needed to import a single quintal of rice to meet domestic demand. This self-sufficiency is the result of robust local production and strategic management of national inventories.
During his participation in the Expo Pueblo Nuevo 2026 Fair, where he was distinguished as an illustrious visitor, the Minister of Agriculture highlighted that the country currently has about 7.2 million quintals of rice in stock. This achievement, according to the official, is the result of joint work between producers, industrialists, and the various actors in the cereal’s value chain.
Our producers have stepped up in the most difficult moments and that speaks to the strength that the sector has today.
Francisco Oliverio Espaillat Bencosme, Minister of Agriculture
Resilience in the face of logistical challenges
Espaillat cited as an example the sector’s responsiveness to unforeseen events, recalling the delay in rice shipments from the United States at the end of 2025. Despite this setback, supply in the Dominican market was not affected, thanks to the solid availability of local production.
The minister clarified that the arrival of 23,300 metric tons of rice at the beginning of January was strictly due to compliance with the preferential quota established in international trade agreements, and not due to a need for internal supply shortages.
Call for calm regarding DR-CAFTA
Regarding the DR-CAFTA treaty landscape, the official urged producers and industrialists to remain calm. He reiterated that President Luis Abinader remains a strategic ally of the Dominican agricultural sector, prioritizing dialogue and the search for alternatives that protect food security.
- The president has shown a constant vocation for consensus with the productive sectors.
- Work is underway on clear alternatives to guarantee the stability of the rice sector.
- The official call is to trust in the efforts led by the Executive Branch.
The activity in Mao, Valverde, was attended by Mayor Fernando Rodríguez and served as a setting to recognize agricultural producer Américo Rodríguez. The event concluded with a cattle auction sponsored by the Savings, Credit and Multiple Services Cooperative 30 de Abril (Coopeabril La Nuestra).
