Dominican Republic economy faces tension from debt and imports

The Dominican Republic's economy is facing significant tension due to economic policies implemented since August 2020. The current fiscal situation is characterized by an expansion of public spending, particularly in current expenditures, which has been financed through loans. This has resulted in a requirement of more than 350 billion pesos annually to cover debt interest payments, creating pressure on public finances.

Furthermore, there has been a notable shift toward prioritizing imports over domestic agricultural production. Agricultural and agro-industrial imports rose from $3,131 million in 2019 to $5,588.4 million in 2025, representing a 78.5% increase. This trend has impacted national food security and local production. Concurrently, support for the agricultural sector has declined, with promotion programs dropping from 26% in 2020 to 13% in 2025, and technological transfer programs decreasing from 1.7% to 0.3%.