Diplomatic tension between the Dominican Republic and Cuba puts poultry trade on edge
The recent announcement by the Government of the Dominican Republic regarding the request for the departure of nine Cuban diplomats accredited in the country has generated uncertainty in the export sector. This decision, communicated on August 13, comes at a key moment when commercial egg export operations to the Caribbean nation had been resumed.
This diplomatic impasse arises just a month after the Dominican Poultry Association (ADA) confirmed the reactivation of trade with Cuba. At that time, 12 containers were dispatched with a total of 3,900,960 egg units, directly benefiting key companies in the sector such as Agrokilda, Granja Wilse, Huevos Perla, and Agropecuaria SSK.
Economic impact and business perspectives
The commercial relationship between both nations showed a sustained growth trend. During the year 2025, the Dominican Republic reached exports to Cuba valued at US$95 million, highlighting items such as:
- Eggs, milk, and meat: US$31.1 million.
- Residues and waste from the food industries: US$19.9 million.
- Tobacco: US$8.4 million.
The figures recorded up to July 2026 indicated a highly positive projection, with exports exceeding US$52.2 million. The rebound observed between June and July of that year, driven by the resumption of the poultry market, suggested that the total volume of exports would far exceed the marks prior to the previous trade rupture.
With the departure of the diplomats, a question arises regarding the future of trade agreements. Without an ambassador or trade representative figure, the outlook for the 115 Dominican companies that currently export more than 500 products to Cuba from six different provinces requires a deep evaluation to determine the stability of their operations.
The current situation represents a challenge for the Dominican export sector, which saw the Cuban market as a strategic destination for strengthening national production and the country’s foreign currency growth.
