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Dominican Republic rice producers face competition after tariff decree repeal
The Dominican Republic's rice sector is facing significant uncertainty following the repeal of Decree 693-24, which previously provided tariff protections against imports. Agricultural organizations, including CONFENAGRO, have warned that the removal of these safeguards could negatively impact local producers, rural employment, and national food security. Producers expressed concern over the ability to compete with United States rice, which benefits from extensive federal subsidies, such as the Farmer Bridge Assistance program that provides extraordinary aid per acre.
In response to the debate, Dominican senators have proposed new legislation to provide more permanent stability for the sector than a decree can offer. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Agriculture has assured producers that the government will not abandon them, emphasizing that protection should focus on modernization, such as the Pronamec program for mechanization, rather than just tariffs.
Despite these concerns, a report from the USDA noted that the Dominican rice industry has made significant structural progress, reducing its historical production cost disadvantage against the US by nearly two-thirds over the last two decades through improved efficiency and technology.
Entities
Asociación Dominicana de Factorías de Arroz · CONFENAGRO · Confederación Nacional de Productores Agropecuarios · DR-CAFTA · Dominican Republic · Fenarroz · Francisco Oliverio Espaillat · José Ignacio Paliza · Luis Abinader · Luis Manuel Piantini · Ministry of Agriculture of the Dominican Republic · Oliverio Espaillat
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The Dominican government issued Decree 635-26 to repeal Decree 693-24.
- [● 5 SOURCES] The rice sector in the Dominican Republic includes approximately 30,000 producers. bahorucoaldia.com · puertoplatahabla.com · larimardigital.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] Minister of Agriculture Oliverio Espaillat stated the repeal is not an abandonment of rice producers. tirapiedras.com · almomento.net
- [● 2 SOURCES] Decree 693-24 established a 20% ad valorem tariff for certain rice categories within a quota.
- [● 4 SOURCES] In 2025, Dominican rice production reached 14.78 million quintals. dominicanaaldia.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] National production covered approximately 96% of estimated consumption in 2025.
- [● 4 SOURCES] The rice sector generates more than 300,000 direct and indirect jobs. bahorucoaldia.com · puertoplatahabla.com · larimardigital.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Decree 693-24 set a 99% tariff for rice imports exceeding the authorized quota.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The USDA reported that the Dominican rice industry has reduced its competitiveness gap with the US through structural improvements. diarionoticias.do
- [● 3 SOURCES] The Farmer Bridge Assistance program provided US$132.89 per acre in aid for rice crops in 2025. diario55.com · elinformante.com.do · elcorreord.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The National Federation of Rice Producers (Fenarroz) expressed support for the government during upcoming trade negotiations with the US. arcodelsur.com
- [DISPUTED] CONFENAGRO warned that the repeal of Decree 693-24 represents a negative impact for local rice harvesters. bahorucoaldia.com · larimardigital.com · puertoplatahabla.com