The Dominican Republic has launched a transformative agricultural export initiative through a tripartite agreement involving its Ministry of Industry, Commerce and MSMEs, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and Italy’s prestigious MACFRUT agribusiness trade fair. This strategic partnership, spearheaded by Minister Yayo Sanz Lovatón, establishes a permanent trade corridor specifically designed to position Dominican mangoes and avocados within Italy’s lucrative market while creating gateway access to broader European distribution networks.
The collaborative framework extends beyond market access to encompass comprehensive value chain development. The alliance will facilitate foreign investment attraction, advanced technology transfer across agricultural sectors, and direct engagement between Dominican producers and international buyers. By capitalizing on the global reputation of Dominican fruit quality, the initiative aims to modernize agribusiness operations, enhance competitive positioning, generate sustainable employment opportunities, and significantly increase foreign exchange earnings through expanded export volumes.
The signing ceremony demonstrated substantial diplomatic support with attendance from Italian Vice-Ambassador Rodolfo Colaci, Dominican Ambassador to Italy Rafael Lantigua, and Ada Hernández, Dominican Ambassador to FAO in Rome. Minister Sanz Lovatón emphasized the alignment with national economic strategy to transform agriculture into a primary engine for job creation and currency generation through technical assistance, investment growth, and productive credit access.
FAO coordinator Patricia Jiménez Beato highlighted MACFRUT’s inclusion as a catalyst for innovation acceleration and strengthened agro-industry connections with gastronomy sectors, translating international opportunities into tangible rural development. MACFRUT Vice President Enrico Turroni confirmed the organization’s commitment to providing Dominican producers with platform access not merely to Italian markets but to extensive European and global distribution channels, formally inviting participation in their April trade fair edition.