Dominican exports reach record figures and mark a historic milestone for the economy
The export sector of the Dominican Republic is experiencing a moment of splendor. According to data presented by Karel Castillo, president of the Dominican Association of Exporters (ADOEXPO), during the fortieth edition of the Export Excellence Awards, the country recorded a record of 10.563 billion dollars in exports during the period between January and August 2026.
During the event, held at the Eduardo Brito National Theater and attended by President Luis Abinader, the impressive evolution of the sector over the last four decades was highlighted. National and free zone exports have experienced extraordinary growth, going from 973 million dollars in 1986 to nearly 15 billion by the end of 2025, which represents an increase of 15 times its original value.
But behind that growth there is something much more important than the figures: there are companies, producers, and thousands of Dominicans who have been part of that transformation.
Karel Castillo, president of ADOEXPO
Impact on employment and productive diversification
The positive impact of this expansion is directly reflected in job creation. The free trade zone sector has been a fundamental pillar in this development:
- Growth in free trade zones: It went from 156 companies with 51,000 workers in 1986 to 858 companies that currently generate more than 200,000 direct jobs.
- Jobs in national exports: This segment contributes more than 60,000 direct jobs and 83,000 indirect jobs, strengthening the local economy.
Within the Dominican export basket, products with high commercial value stand out, such as gold, medical instruments, cigars, cocoa, tobacco, fruits, vegetables, rum, sugar, and steel.
New frontiers: technology and strategic minerals
The future vision of the export sector points towards modernization. In 2025, the export of modern services reached 1.545 billion dollars, while technological and communication services recorded a significant growth of 43%, totaling 75 million dollars.
Furthermore, the country is setting its sights on the mining potential of Pedernales. Currently, studies are being conducted on the presence of rare earth elements in the area, resources considered strategic for global technology industries, which would open a new window of opportunity for the nation.
In closing, Castillo emphasized the need to continue working on the diversification of international markets, increasing the added value of Dominican products, and facilitating the integration of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) into the foreign trade chain.
