- DR increases exports to US$3,700 million in the first quarter of 2026.
- Performance: the country maintains competitiveness in the market, Yayo Sanz Lovatón highlights.
Despite a turbulent international context, Dominican exports grew by 18% in the first quarter of 2026, totaling about US$3,700 million, some US$578 million more than in the same period last year. 83% of the growth achieved in the first quarter is attributed to domestic production.
This was reported by the Minister of Industry, Trade and MSMEs (MICM), Eduardo Sanz Lovatón, when heading the first session of the Cabinet for the Development of Exports.
He explained that, currently, domestic production represents 42% of total exports, free zones 56%, and the other regimes 2%.
He also stressed that even when excluding gold exports, there is a significant 7% growth in exports. “Excluding gold, domestic exports went from US$701 million in the first three months of 2025 to US$808 million in the first quarter of 2026. He also detailed that, “excluding gold, national exports contributed 55% to growth, while free zones contributed 41%.” Another relevant fact he cited is that 58% of exports are being made by sea, while 34% by air.
Among the issues addressed by the cabinet were the global environment to maximize opportunities for Dominican exports, alignment with the objectives of the 2036 Goal, the future of tariff negotiations, logistics, competitiveness, exports and foreign investment, as well as strengthening human resources and refocusing training to match the needs of international skills, as well as promoting the free zone sector.
Among the fastest growing exports are steel, plastic, fruit, and electronic devices. In the first quarter of the year, US$798.0 million were exported in fine pearls, stones and precious metals, a growth of 94%. US$91.4 million were exported in iron and steel foundry, a growth of 68%; plastic and plastic products exported US$77.3 million, a 11% increase; metalliferous materials, slag and ashes US$45.8 million, up 31%, and machines and appliances, electrical material and their parts, about US$36.1 million, an increase of 274%.
Agenda
At the meeting attended by businessmen and government representatives, strategies were followed up and redefined so that the sector maintains its growth rate in the face of the current international crisis and the new tariff applications.
“Crises are opportunities and we are in the middle of one. Above all, I believe that close teamwork and public-private partnerships can move the country forward. This ministry’s job is to coordinate actions, and we will be in a permanent session so that all industries move forward,” said Sanz Lovatón during the meeting.
He pointed out that negotiations with the United States are going very well, that, so far, no element of competitiveness has been lost, and that trade relations between the two countries have not been affected.
Meeting
— Event
The Cabinet for the Development of Exports, created by decree 172-22, is attached to the Ministry of Industry, Trade and MSMEs (MICM), with the aim of promoting public policies.
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