Abinader safeguards Dominican rice market with Decree 693-24

Santo Domingo.- On December 17, 2024, President Luis Abinader issued Decree 693-24, setting new tariff rates for imported rice. The decree includes a preferential quota of 23,300 metric tons of tariff-free rice from the United States, representing just 1.64% of the Dominican Republic’s 2023 rice production, which totaled 14.2 million quintals (approximately 1,400,013 metric tons). This measure aims to balance international trade obligations with the protection of local rice farmers.

Minimal Market Impact and Protection Measures

The tariff-free quota allows U.S. rice to enter at competitive prices but is expected to have a limited impact on the local market due to its small volume. Imports exceeding the quota will face a 99% ad valorem tariff, effectively discouraging large-scale foreign rice imports. Rice from Nicaragua, for instance, will be subject to this higher tariff. The Government emphasizes the importance of rice to Dominican food security and the livelihoods of farmers in over 21 agricultural provinces.

Commitment to Food Sovereignty

The Government has reaffirmed its dedication to food sovereignty and farmer welfare. CONASSAN will oversee the decree’s implementation, issuing recommendations based on technical assessments. The preferential quota will be carefully managed to minimize disruptions to local production, ensuring a balance between DR-CAFTA commitments and the protection of the domestic market.