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Dominican Republic repeals rice import tariff regime
President Luis Abinader has repealed Decree 693-24, which established a special tariff regime for rice imports in the Dominican Republic. The decision, formalized through Decree 635-26 on September 9, removes previous protections that included a 20% tariff within a specific quota and a 99% tariff for imports exceeding that quota. It also nullifies a zero-tariff quota of 23,300 metric tons previously reserved for rice from the United States.
The repeal follows requests from United States commercial authorities, who argued that the previous decree hindered rice access conditions stipulated under the Dominican Republic-Central America Free Trade Agreement (DR-CAFTA).
Local agricultural producers and organizations, including CONFENAGRO, have expressed significant concern, warning that the removal of these protections could lead to a crisis for domestic farmers and impact food security. In response, the Ministry of Agriculture and government advisors have stated that the administration will implement compensatory measures and support programs, such as the National Agricultural Mechanization Program (PRONAMEC), to maintain the stability and competitiveness of the national rice sector.
Entities
DR-CAFTA · Dominican Poultry Association · Dominican Republic · Luis Abinader · Ministry of Agriculture of the Dominican Republic · Office of the United States Trade Representative · United States
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] President Luis Abinader promised to withdraw the zero-rate bill from Congress. diarioagropecuario.com
- [● 7 SOURCES] US authorities argued the decree affected rice access conditions under DR-CAFTA. elviajero.com.do · diarionoticias.do · laveganews.net · primermomento.com · diariocibao.com · +1 more
- [● 7 SOURCES] US commercial authorities requested the elimination of Decree 693-24. elviajero.com.do · diarionoticias.do · laveganews.net · primermomento.com · diariocibao.com · +1 more
- [● 19 SOURCES] President Luis Abinader repealed the decree establishing a special tariff regime for rice imports. elviajero.com.do · agexporthoy.export.com.gt · diarioagropecuario.com · diarionoticias.do · infoenn.com · +9 more
- [● 10 SOURCES] The repeal is contained in Decree 635-26, issued on September 9. elviajero.com.do · diarionoticias.do · laveganews.net · mediodigitalrd.com · primermomento.com · +3 more
- [● 9 SOURCES] The previous decree set a 20% tariff within a quota and a 99% tariff outside of it. elviajero.com.do · diarionoticias.do · laveganews.net · mediodigitalrd.com · primermomento.com · +3 more
- [● 9 SOURCES] Decree 635-26 nullifies Decree 693-24, which was promulgated in December 2024. elviajero.com.do · diarionoticias.do · laveganews.net · mediodigitalrd.com · primermomento.com · +3 more
- [DISPUTED] The previous decree established a zero-tariff quota of 23,300 metric tons for US rice. elviajero.com.do · diarionoticias.do · laveganews.net · mediodigitalrd.com · primermomento.com · +3 more