Agricultural sectors in Colombia and Dominican Republic face credit and trade challenges

In Colombia, Édgar Chalhoub Succar has assumed the presidency of Finagro, replacing Ricardo Morris Sarmiento. Chalhoub, an experienced executive in the export agro-industry, aims to accelerate financial inclusion and promote long-term development credit for the country's agricultural chains.

In the Dominican Republic, the agricultural sector is facing significant challenges regarding financing and trade. The National Confederation of Agricultural Producers (Confenagro) and the National Federation of Rice Producers (Fenarroz) have called for strengthened credit access and lower interest rates to support small producers. Fenarroz specifically requested the restoration of FIDE loans and the reopening of rice exports to Haiti to mitigate the impact of the DR-CAFTA agreement and competition from U.S. imports.

Additionally, rice producers in the Dominican Republic are seeking the regularization of Haitian labor to address shortages in planting and harvesting. Meanwhile, the Dominican government has reaffirmed its commitment to defending national rice production against external threats, highlighting that production has grown from 9.2 million quintals in 2005 to approximately 14.8 million in 2025.