The National Confederation of Agricultural Producers (CONFENAGRO) expressed its concern regarding the economic losses that the United States’ restriction on Dominican mango exports could generate, which could exceed US$20 million and affect more than 1,200 producers, especially in the Peravia province, the country’s main export mango producing area.
CONFENAGRO valued the measures announced by the Ministry of Agriculture to contain the presence of the fruit fly (Anastrepha obliqua), including the appointment of a new coordinator for the national monitoring program, the inspection of 100% of the installed traps, the strengthening of phytosanitary surveillance, and the modernization of information systems.
The organization considers that these actions represent an important step toward regaining the trust of international markets and achieving, in the shortest possible time, the restoration of exports.
However, the entity understands that the situation demands an even broader, coordinated, and sustained response between the Government, producers, exporters, and international organizations.
“Although the Dominican Republic has successfully faced similar situations in the past, it is essential to accelerate technical and operational actions to reduce the economic impact on producers, preserve the jobs that depend on this activity, and protect the competitiveness of the Dominican mango,” the institution indicated to the media this Monday.
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They consider that this situation should become an opportunity to promote a national strategy for the agro-industrialization of mangoes, promoting the processing of the fruit into juices, pulps, concentrates, jams, dehydrated fruits, and other value-added products.
This initiative would allow for the utilization of production that temporarily cannot access the fresh export market, diversify commercial destinations, and generate new income opportunities for producers and the national agri-food industry.
The organization also reiterated the importance of permanently strengthening phytosanitary surveillance programs, research, monitoring, and response capacity to these types of events, as essential elements to maintain the confidence of international markets and ensure the sustainability of agricultural exports.
