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Dominican Republic rice sector faces crisis after tariff protection repeal
The Dominican Republic is facing intense political and economic debate following the government's decision to repeal Decree 693-24 via Decree 635-26. This move eliminates special tariff protections for domestic rice to comply with the DR-CAFTA trade agreement's scheduled phase-out of tariffs.
Opposition leaders, including former President Danilo Medina and members of the PLD, have criticized the administration of President Luis Abinader. They argue the government failed to modernize the sector or prepare producers for increased competition from U.S. imports. Medina characterized the repeal as a “populist and demagogic” decision that leaves farmers unprotected. Conversely, the government denies these claims, stating that the repeal opens a new stage of support involving technical assistance, mechanization, and financing to help the sector adapt.
Economic concerns have been raised regarding the 2027 budget, which reportedly allocates only 35 million pesos to the rice sector, a figure critics deem insufficient to offset the impact of imports. Agricultural organizations and economists warn that a collapse of the rice industry could destabilize the rural economy and threaten national food security. Amidst these tensions, disputes have also emerged regarding past administrative efforts to negotiate trade dispensations with the United States.
Entities
ANIMPA · Carlos Segura Foster · Confederación Nacional de Productores Agropecuarios · DR-CAFTA · Danilo Medina · Dominican Republic · Haivanjoe Ng Cortiñas · Luis Abinader · Oliverio Espaillat · Partido de la Liberación Dominicana
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 2 SOURCES] Approximately 220,000 metric tons of rice entered the country during 2025. www.santosvasquezinforma.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The derogation of Decree 693-24 could destabilize the agricultural sector and risk food security. eldinero.com.do · arcodelsur.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] The Dominican Republic failed to modernize production before the DR-CAFTA tariff phase-out concluded in 2025. www.santosvasquezinforma.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The 2027 budget allocates only 35 million pesos to the rice sector. primermomento.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The government will support the sector through technical assistance, mechanization, and financing. www.sabanetasr.com
- [● 4 SOURCES] The government attempted to resolve the rice conflict with a populist decree that violated existing trade agreements. visionrdn.com · maguacadigital.com · www.sanjuanpordentro.net
- [● 2 SOURCES] U.S. farmers receive support through the Farmer Bridge Assistance program, providing approximately US$132.89 per acre. www.santosvasquezinforma.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] A collapse of the rice industry could destabilize the agricultural sector and risk food security and the rural economy. eldinero.com.do
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The deterioration of the rice sector is linked to the abandonment of national production support policies and increased imports. atento.com.do
- [● 2 SOURCES] The repeal eliminates special tariff protections for rice to comply with the DR-CAFTA phase-out schedule. eldinero.com.do · primermomento.com
- [● 4 SOURCES] The Dominican government repealed Decree 693-24 through Decree 635-26. arcodelsur.com · eldinero.com.do · primermomento.com · almomento.net