The Ministry of Agriculture is leading efforts to support the country’s burgeoning table grape export industry
The Dominican Republic has carried out its first shipment of table grapes to the US, the agriculture ministry has reported. The consignment of 2,000 cartons, weighing around 16 tonnes, was grown in Guayubín, in the province of Montecristi.
To mark the milestone, president Luis Abinader and agriculture minister Limber Cruz led a Field Day at the farm of grape producer Arismendy Almonte. Producers from Peru and Chile who took part in the event praised the quality, colour, and flavour of the grapes harvested on Dominican soil.
Harvesting of another 20 tonnes of grapes is also underway in the southwest region of San Juan.
In a press release, the Ministry of Agriculture reported that it had introduced Bloom Fresh’s Allison and Timpson varieties for the first time to farms in Guayubín, Baní, and San Juan, in order to provide new economic and business opportunities for local producers.
It added that when it reaches full capacity, the grape industry will create approximately 10,000 direct jobs.
Potential regions identified as suitable for the production of high-quality table grapes for the export market include Azua, Montecristi, Peravia and San Juan
