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Roughly 25% of Canadian exports to the Dominican Republic are agri-food products, mostly commodities and semi-processed products (herring, pulses, wheat, potatoes, malt and food preparation). Despite having a dynamic agricultural sector, the DR is a net importer of agri-food products, with import estimates of over US$1.1 billion a year, mostly (50%) from the USA. The Dominican Republic has a strong tourism industry that generates substantial demand for imported products such as meats, fish & seafood, dairy, fruits, and beverages. Approximately 730,000 Canadian tourists visit the Dominican Republic in 2011. Domestic consumption of import products is also booming with an ever-increasing number of international cuisine restaurants, as well as a nationwide expansion of large retailers. New entrants to the food sector should be ready for competition from US companies, which have a preferential access (lower or no tariff) through the DR-CAFTA. Canada is currently engaged in trade negotiations with the Dominican Republic.
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