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USDA Expands Global Reach: Trade Mission to the Dominican Republic Creates Opportunities for U.S. Pork

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is leading a high-level trade mission to the Dominican Republic this month, opening new doors for American pork producers and processors. With the Caribbean nation representing the fourth-largest market for U.S. agricultural exports in the Western Hemisphere—and the top market under the Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA)—the timing and potential impact of this mission is especially significant for the pork sector.

Scheduled for July 13–17, the USDA delegation includes nearly 50 agribusinesses and state officials from California, Colorado, and Washington. The goal: expand market access, deepen trade ties, and build relationships with buyers not only from the Dominican Republic but also from neighboring Haiti and Jamaica.

Pork Exports: A Growth Opportunity
U.S. agricultural exports to the Dominican Republic reached a record $2.2 billion in 2024, up from $800 million in 2007. Pork remains one of the fastest-growing categories, driven by increased demand in foodservice and retail due to tourism growth, evolving diets, and rising incomes. U.S. pork is well-positioned in the Dominican market, where the United States supplies approximately 44% of the country’s total agricultural imports.

“This region is hungry for high-quality, safe protein—and U.S. pork delivers on all fronts,” said a USDA Foreign Agricultural Service official. “We’re supporting producers by ensuring they remain competitive in these growing export markets.”

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