In an environment marked by geopolitical tensions and trade challenges, the Dominican Republic has managed to maintain a sustained pace of growth in its exports. According to the most recent report from the General Directorate of Customs (DGA), accumulated exports between January and May 2025 reached 5,639 million dollars, a year-on-year increase of 8.6%.
This progress becomes even more relevant when considering the global context, where many markets have reported contractions or stagnation in their trade flows. In contrast, in May alone, the country exported 1,378 million dollars, reflecting a jump of 13.4% compared to May 2024.
Strategic Partners in Growth
The strengthening of trade relations with the main destinations has been key. The United States, the Dominican largest trading partner, absorbed 688.5 million dollars in exports during May, exceeding the 657.6 million in May 2024. This growth confirms the recovery of U.S. demand for Dominican products.
For its part, Haiti, the second most relevant market for the country, experienced a notable expansion of 14.9% in purchases, with 93.3 million dollars exported in May. These two destinations maintain their leadership as axes of Dominican sales abroad, providing dynamism and continuity to the trade balance.
Gold, cocoa, and medical devices lead
Gold stands out as the main driver of export growth in May, in the breakdown per product. Sales of gold exceeded 258 million dollars, driven by a growing demand from India, consolidating an increase of 141% compared to the previous year.
Added to this rebound are cocoa, with an increase of 47.9%, and medical instruments and devices, which reached 171.6 million dollars in exports, an increase of 5.1%. These items not only diversify the Dominican export offer, but also show the move towards higher value-added products.
Tobacco and cane sugar gain ground
The agribusiness sector also showed signs of robustness. Tobacco registered a growth of 10.7% in May, while cane sugar increased its exports by 13.2% compared to the same month in 2024. These products reinforce the country’s position in traditional markets, consolidating its reputation for quality and production consistency.
The performance of exports in the first part of 2025 not only reflects a resilient business environment, but also the effect of policies aimed at facilitating foreign trade. The diversification of destinations and products, together with an increasingly sophisticated export structure, positions the Dominican Republic as a competitive player in the global market, even in challenging contexts.
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