Agriculture begins table grape harvest in San Juan

The Dominican Republic has launched its national grape harvest with remarkable success, achieving yields of approximately 4,000 boxes per hectare—twice the global average. This agricultural milestone, spearheaded by the Ministry of Agriculture in collaboration with local producers, began in Montecristi and has since expanded to Pedro Corto in San Juan. Efforts are now underway to identify additional cultivation zones across the southern region and other parts of the country. Agriculture Minister Limber Cruz highlighted the exceptional quality of Dominican grapes, which has drawn significant interest from international companies in France, Spain, Italy, and beyond. These firms are exploring opportunities to produce wines, ciders, and other grape-derived products within the Dominican Republic. The San Juan project, spanning 18 hectares, focuses on cultivating Timpson and Sweet Celebration seedless grape varieties, catering to both domestic markets and export demands. Producer Alberto Ramírez confirmed that their grapes are already being supplied to national supermarkets and various U.S. cities, marking a significant step in the country’s agricultural export growth.