Despite a steep fall in production from the nationwide drought which lasted until mid-year, the Dominican Republic has become a world leader in exports of organic bananas, which should spur it to do well in other crops.
Dominican Agribusiness Board JAD executive president Osmar Benitez said that 63% of the bananas grown in the country are organic, while 20% are in transition. 50% of the bananas sold worldwide are grown locally, making the Dominican Republic the leading supplier.
He also said that banana supply rose on wider planting, adding that the change in the European Union´s sanitary policy in 1992 benefited the Dominican Republic, spurring the planting of organic instead of traditional bananas, making the country one of the biggest producers.
