Dominican Republic: Maize Market 2025

Maize Market Size in the Dominican Republic

In 2022, the Dominican maize market increased by 44% to $X, rising for the second year in a row after two years of decline. In general, consumption recorded strong growth. Maize consumption peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

Maize Production in the Dominican Republic

In value terms, maize production declined to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, posted a tangible increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 166%. Maize production peaked at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In 2022, the average maize yield in the Dominican Republic declined to X tons per ha, approximately mirroring the previous year's figure. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of +1.4% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 14%. The maize yield peaked at X tons per ha in 2021, and then dropped slightly in the following year. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

In 2022, the total area harvested in terms of maize production in the Dominican Republic contracted modestly to X ha, dropping by -3.2% against the year before. The harvested area increased at an average annual rate of +1.1% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed in certain years. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 with an increase of 12% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to maize production reached the maximum at X ha in 2021, and then dropped in the following year.

Maize Exports

Exports from the Dominican Republic

For the third consecutive year, the Dominican Republic recorded decline in overseas shipments of maize, which decreased by -18.2% to X tons in 2022. Over the period under review, exports recorded a abrupt slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 241%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X tons. From 2015 to 2022, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, maize exports surged to $X in 2022. In general, exports recorded a abrupt curtailment. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when exports increased by 215% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $X. From 2015 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Haiti (X tons) was the main destination for maize exports from the Dominican Republic, accounting for a 93% share of total exports. Moreover, maize exports to Haiti exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Aruba (X tons), more than tenfold.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to Haiti stood at -13.5%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Aruba (+36.3% per year) and the United States (-27.8% per year).

In value terms, Haiti ($X) remains the key foreign market for maize exports from the Dominican Republic, comprising 95% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Aruba ($X), with a 3% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to Haiti stood at -7.7%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Aruba (+41.9% per year) and the United States (-25.4% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average maize export price stood at $X per ton in 2022, rising by 54% against the previous year. Overall, export price indicated a prominent increase from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +6.5% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, maize export price increased by +80.8% against 2020 indices. As a result, the export price reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Haiti ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Aruba ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Haiti (+6.7%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Maize Imports

Imports into the Dominican Republic

In 2022, overseas purchases of maize increased by 50% to X tons, rising for the second consecutive year after two years of decline. Over the period under review, imports posted a strong increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 70%. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum in 2022 and are likely to see gradual growth in years to come.

In value terms, maize imports expanded notably to $X in 2022. In general, imports continue to indicate prominent growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when imports increased by 65% against the previous year. Imports peaked in 2022 and are likely to see steady growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Brazil (X tons) constituted the largest maize supplier to the Dominican Republic, accounting for a 88% share of total imports. Moreover, maize imports from Brazil exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, the United States (X tons), ninefold.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume from Brazil amounted to +21.9%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: the United States (+3.1% per year) and Argentina (-3.1% per year).

In value terms, Brazil ($X), the United States ($X) and Argentina ($X) constituted the largest maize suppliers to the Dominican Republic, together comprising 100% of total imports.

The United States, with a CAGR of +9.1%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, in terms of the main suppliers over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The average maize import price stood at $X per ton in 2022, reducing by -25.3% against the previous year. Overall, the import price saw a deep contraction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 when the average import price increased by 19% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices attained the peak figure at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Argentina ($X per ton), while the price for Brazil ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the United States (+5.8%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced mixed trend patterns.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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