Dominican Republic: Baby Food Market 2024

Baby Food Market Size in the Dominican Republic

After three years of growth, the Dominican baby food market decreased by -3.3% to $X in 2021. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +3.9% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Over the period under review, the market reached the maximum level at $X in 2020, and then reduced slightly in the following year.

Baby Food Production in the Dominican Republic

In value terms, baby food production dropped notably to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, showed a prominent expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 with an increase of 240%. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at $X in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, production failed to regain momentum.

Baby Food Exports

Exports from the Dominican Republic

In 2021, approx. X tons of food preparations for infants were exported from the Dominican Republic; reducing by -8.3% against 2020 figures. In general, exports showed a dramatic contraction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 with an increase of 393% against the previous year. The exports peaked at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, baby food exports expanded to $X in 2021. Overall, exports continue to indicate a dramatic downturn. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 with an increase of 599%. The exports peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Haiti (X tons) was the main destination for baby food exports from the Dominican Republic, with a 63% share of total exports. Moreover, baby food exports to Haiti exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Saint Lucia (X kg), tenfold. Jamaica (X kg) ranked third in terms of total exports with a 6.1% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to Haiti totaled -26.5%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Saint Lucia (-1.0% per year) and Jamaica (-21.2% per year).

In value terms, Haiti ($X) remains the key foreign market for food preparations for infants exports from the Dominican Republic, comprising 63% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Trinidad and Tobago ($X), with a 14% share of total exports. It was followed by Jamaica, with a 4.6% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value to Haiti totaled -21.1%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Trinidad and Tobago (-15.2% per year) and Jamaica (+1.5% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the average baby food export price amounted to $X per ton, increasing by 13% against the previous year. Overall, the export price posted a resilient expansion. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 an increase of 42% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices attained the peak figure in 2021 and is likely to continue growth in the near future.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major export markets. In 2021, the country with the highest price was Trinidad and Tobago ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Singapore ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Jamaica (+28.8%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Baby Food Imports

Imports into the Dominican Republic

In 2021, baby food imports into the Dominican Republic soared to X tons, with an increase of 62% against the year before. Overall, imports, however, showed a mild reduction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 when imports increased by 145% against the previous year. Imports peaked at X tons in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, baby food imports soared to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 when imports increased by 106% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X. From 2020 to 2021, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Mexico (X tons) constituted the largest baby food supplier to the Dominican Republic, accounting for a 51% share of total imports. Moreover, baby food imports from Mexico exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Denmark (X tons), fourfold. The third position in this ranking was held by the United States (X tons), with a 4.9% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume from Mexico totaled +5.2%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Denmark (-5.1% per year) and the United States (-10.9% per year).

In value terms, Mexico ($X), Denmark ($X) and the United States ($X) constituted the largest baby food suppliers to the Dominican Republic, with a combined 63% share of total imports. Ireland, Switzerland, Chile, Spain and the Netherlands lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 11%.

Among the main suppliers, Switzerland, with a CAGR of +29.6%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The average baby food import price stood at $X per ton in 2021, dropping by -2.1% against the previous year. Over the last nine-year period, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.1%. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when the average import price increased by 18%. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2019 to 2021, the average import prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably country of origin: the country with the highest price was the United States ($X per ton), while the price for Chile ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the United States (+10.3%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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