DR near the top for avocado production
According to an official from the National Confederation of Agricultural Producers (Confenagro) Dominican exports of avocados were valued at more than US$30 million last year, and increase of more than 150% since 2006 when they were scarcely US$11 million in export sales. The data was shared by Confenagro during the meeting when the National Avocado Cluster was formalized. More than 50 avocado farmers attended.
Most Dominican avocados are shipped to the United States, Spain, France, Holland, Great Britain and Italy. World production is around 4.7 million tons and the Dominican Republic has around 8% of the production or 400,000 tons, making it second in the world in avocado production behind Mexico that accounts for 31% of the total. The DR is the twelve largest avocado exporter in the world.
Economist Hecmilio Galván, executive vice president of Confenagro, said that around 3,000 to 4,000 producers have more than 300 tareas, spread out in the provinces of San Cristóbal, Elías Piña, Pedernales, Bahoruco, San Juan, Ocoa, Azua and Barahona. There are also farms in Puerto Plata (Altamira), Moca (Villa Trina), La Romana, Hato Mayor and El Seibo.
The main varieties of avocado grown in the country are Carla, el Semil 34, and Hass (a small avocado with a purple skin).
Source: DR1, Almomento
April 4, 2018
Category: DR News |