In the Dominican Republic’s capital of Santo Domingo, domestic pork producers have launched a formal appeal to national authorities, calling for a recalibration of pork import quotas to align with the country’s growing local output. Producers argue that the current elevated levels of imported pork have eroded profit margins and threaten the long-term viability of small and medium-sized domestic operations across the country.
Julián Abud Martínez, who leads the Dominican Republic Association of Pig Producers, outlined the group’s position in a recent statement, noting that local farms already meet roughly 70 percent of the nation’s total pork demand. Under a fair market framework, he explained, imports should only fill the remaining unmet supply gap, rather than exceeding that threshold to undercut local producers.
“Our core demand is simple: Dominican producers deserve fair respect in our own market, and we need a sustainable balance between domestic output and imported product,” Abud Martínez emphasized.
He pointed to consistent growth in domestic pork production over recent years, which has shrunk the gap between national supply and consumer demand significantly. To reflect this shift, he said, import volumes should be adjusted downward, with imported pork accounting for between 30 and 35 percent of total national demand – a far lower share than what currently enters the country’s market.
Beyond economic concerns for producers themselves, Abud Martínez highlighted the outsize role the pork sector plays in supporting rural livelihoods across the Dominican Republic. The industry supports a vast interconnected network of workers, from animal breeders and crop farmers who supply feed to transporters, slaughterhouse workers, butchers, and independent market merchants. For many young people living in rural regions, pork production also serves as a critical source of stable household income.
Looking ahead, the national association of pig producers is scheduled to hold an internal meeting in the coming days to finalize its plan of action. While Abud Martínez confirmed the group remains committed to open, constructive dialogue with government officials to reach a resolution, he did not rule out public mobilizations if the industry’s concerns fail to receive meaningful action from policymakers.