Dominican Republic Exports Soar to Record $14.6 Billion in 2025

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AP) — The Dominican Republic achieved a historic milestone in 2025, with exports totaling $14.65 billion, marking a significant 13.4% increase year-over-year. This record performance represents an absolute gain of $1.73 billion compared to 2024, according to the Dominican Republic Export and Investment Center (ProDominicana).

Biviana Riveiro, ProDominicana's executive director, noted that these results were achieved despite international geopolitical tensions and increased trade restrictions. She emphasized the adaptability of the nation's productive sector and the effectiveness of public policies aimed at diversifying and promoting exports.

"These outcomes are supported by the sustained progress of the National Export Promotion Plan, which has already implemented over 93% of its planned actions," Riveiro stated. "This strengthens the competitiveness and international presence of Dominican export offerings."

The export surge was driven by increased shipments to more than 85 international markets. India led with a substantial $926.3 million increase, a 135.2% jump from 2024, primarily due to higher gold exports. Other significant gains were seen with Canada, up 308.1% ($571.9 million), and Haiti, increasing 33.7% ($303.4 million).

Exports to the United States grew by 3.1%, while Colombia saw a 110% rise, Cuba 47%, and Brazil 44.9%. Shipments to the European Union collectively climbed 18.6%, with Belgium ($113.8 million), the Netherlands ($79.7 million), and Italy ($13.7 million) showing strong growth.

From a product perspective, the growth was led by increases across more than 1,467 tariff lines. Unprocessed gold topped the list, reaching $2.38 billion and contributing an additional $911.4 million to the annual increase. Excluding raw gold, overall exports still saw a 6.9% year-over-year growth, indicating broader diversification.

Other key products included cocoa beans, which totaled $668.9 million with a $237.2 million increase, and unmanufactured tobacco, reaching $128.2 million, up $74.3 million. Medical instruments and apparatus also recorded significant growth ($34.4 million), alongside plastic articles ($24.7 million), iron bars ($24.2 million), Portland cement ($19.7 million), bananas ($14.3 million), electrical circuit breakers ($14.2 million), and coffee ($12.0 million).

The agricultural sector also achieved a record in 2025, surpassing $3.59 billion in exports. This represents a 10.1% increase, or an absolute gain of $329.1 million, and a 55.1% rise compared to pre-pandemic levels in 2019.

The nation's exporter base expanded considerably in 2025, reaching 4,429 companies, an increase of 632 additional businesses compared to 2024. ProDominicana attributed this expansion to the positive impact of trade promotion programs and business internationalization efforts, along with a continuous diversification of export offerings and international destinations.

Regarding export regimes, free zones reached a historical high of $8.60 billion. The national regime also saw strong performance, totaling $5.46 billion, reflecting a significant 36.8% expansion of the local export base. When excluding raw gold, national exports showed a 21.6% year-over-year increase.

"The export performance of 2025 demonstrates that the Dominican Republic is not only competing but advancing steadily in international markets," Riveiro concluded. "This generates more employment, more income, and more opportunities for thousands of producers, industries, and communities nationwide."

ProDominicana reaffirmed its commitment to further expanding the exporter base, opening new markets, and strengthening the national productive sector, aiming for exports to remain a key driver of economic development, productive inclusion, and the Dominican Republic's international projection.