The Agricultural Bank has set up a fund of $8.1 million, which will be used for the execution of several cocoa production projects in different parts of the country.
Through a statement issued by the Ministry of Agriculture, the head of the institution, Osmar Benítez, explained that "... the Agricultural Bank has disposed of a fund of 400 million pesos ($8.1 million) to execute several projects to boost cocoa production in the country."
In 2017, 40% of the almost $200 million that the country exported went to the United Kingdom, followed by Sweden, with 16%, and Belgium, with 15% of the total.
An increase of almost 30% has been reported in the area planted with bananas in the last three years, despite the effect of the climatic phenomena in December 2016, which resulted in a 39% reduction in exports in 2017.
Some 18 companies that operate under the free zone regime produce and export coconut, generating about $40 million including commercialization of by-products such as cream, milk and ground husk.
The multiple uses that are given to coconut and its by-products explain much of the strong growth that has been registered in global demand for this product in recent years.
From May 7th to 9th in Santo Domingo, in the Dominican Republic, local producers and exporters will be meeting with companies and international buyers to explore business opportunities.
From a statement issued by from the Dominican Agribusiness Board:
The Dominican Agribusiness Board (JAD) and the Center for Export and Investment of the Dominican Republic (CEI-RD), with support from various public and private institutions, has unveiled the details of the fifth edition of the International Food, Tobacco and Beverages Fair: Agrifood 2015, to be held from 7 to 9 May at the Convention Center of the Dominican Fiesta Hotel in Santo Domingo.