SANTIAGO, Dominican Republic – In a significant demonstration of bilateral economic cooperation, Vice President Raquel Peña and U.S. Ambassador Leah Campos conducted an extensive tour of the Cibao region’s tobacco sector this Monday. The high-level delegation visited plantations, manufacturing facilities, and key institutions to witness firsthand the remarkable expansion of an industry that has become a cornerstone of the Dominican economy.
The comprehensive visit highlighted the complete tobacco value chain, from cultivation through artisanal production, emphasizing its substantial role in employment generation and export revenues. Both officials acknowledged the region’s agricultural capabilities and characterized the inspection as a strategic opportunity to evaluate one of the nation’s most vital economic engines while enhancing discussions about future initiatives that could promote flagship products from both countries.
The itinerary commenced at the Tobacco Institute (INTABACO), where Director Iván Hernández presented compelling sector performance metrics. Statistical data revealed an impressive 44 percent surge in export values since 2020, escalating from US$951.9 million to exceeding US$1.359 billion by 2025. The United States maintains its position as the industry’s dominant market, while the Dominican Republic consolidates its global leadership in premium handmade cigar production, renowned for exceptional quality, heritage craftsmanship, and innovative techniques.
Vice President Peña emphasized that tobacco cultivation represents an integral component of the nation’s productive identity and reaffirmed the administration’s dedication to fortifying the sector. During the INTABACO facility tour, the delegation observed planting methodologies, curing processes, and artisanal production zones, gaining insights into the entirely manual manufacturing system and the diverse tobacco cultivars cultivated throughout the region.
The engagement proceeded at La Aurora Cigar Factory, the country’s oldest tobacco enterprise, which currently exports to over 90 international markets. Officials explored its industrial operations and historical museum, which chronicles more than a century of tradition and contributions to national economic development, further underscoring the sector’s profound historical significance and contemporary economic impact.