Dominican tobacco industry records exports exceeding 802 million dollars
The tobacco sector of the Dominican Republic continues to consolidate itself as one of the fundamental pillars of the national economy. According to official data from the Tobacco Institute of the Dominican Republic (INTABACO), exports of tobacco, cigars, and cigarettes reached the figure of 802 million dollars during the first semester of 2026.
Iván Hernández Guzmán, executive director of the institution, reported that growth has been constant and accelerated. When comparing the results of January, which closed at 79.72 million dollars, against the 148.8 million recorded in June, an 86% increase in the flow of exports is evident in just six months.
Key factors for export success
The success of this industry is attributed to a comprehensive strategy that combines various elements:
- Effective synergy between the public and private sectors.
- Implementation of new technologies in production processes.
- Constant training of specialized labor.
- Guarantee of legal certainty and credit facilities for investors.
United States: The main trading partner
The U.S. market reaffirms itself as the preferred destination for Dominican products, absorbing 78.5% of the total exported value, which translates to 629.5 million dollars. Regarding the production structure, 99.5% of foreign sales come from companies located in free trade zones, which generated 798.3 million dollars, while the rest was contributed by the local industry.
Tobacco is among the crops with the greatest value chain in the Dominican Republic due to the amount of labor involved in the different stages of production, from planting to the final manufacturing of the product.
Rodrigo Castañeda, FAO representative in the DR
International recognition
During an official visit to the INTABACO facilities, Rodrigo Castañeda, representative of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), highlighted the economic and social impact of this work. Castañeda underscored the importance of the production chain, which integrates fundamental processes such as curing, fermentation, and selection, tasks that boost employment in the country.
With the background of having reached 1.359 billion dollars in exports during 2025, the tobacco sector is heading towards a 2026 year-end with projections of sustained growth and institutional strengthening.
