President Luis Abinader yesterday led the opening of the 8th edition of the Food, Beverage and Tobacco fair “Agroalimentaria 2023”, organized by the Dominican Agribusiness Board (JAD) and the Export and Investment Center of the Dominican Republic (ProDominicana).
The purpose of this fair is increase agricultural exports and ensure that agricultural producers establish business contacts with international buyers.
In a few opening words, the President indicated that this event constitutes the ideal space for exporters and international buyers to strengthen commercial ties and establish new contacts that will culminate in successful business deals.
“We have taken on the task of energize the productive apparatus of the agricultural and agro-industrial sector as a national priority, which led us to implement an aggressive financial support program for our producers, in order to maintain the production rate of our exportable supply, and thus be in excellent conditions to effectively take advantage of the opportunities for place our products in international markets”, he pointed out.
The executive director of ProDominicana, Biviana Riveiro Dislasaid that Agroalimentaria 2023 is the most important fair for agro-exports in the country and in the Caribbean region, because the agri-food sector is strategic for the development of the economy and food security.
Said the country’s total exports exceeded RD3,700 million and those of the sector marked a historic milestone in 2022, reaching the threshold of almost USD$3 billion in exports during this period.
Likewise, he informed that the agro-industrial sector represented 17.45% of the total exported for that year, positioning itself among the main sectors with the greatest dynamism.
“We have received more than 170 international buyers at this fair from 32 countries. We must highlight that buyers from non-traditional markets visit us, including Palestine, Slovakia, Austria. Also, during the event there will be more than 1,300 meetings between exporters and buyers. This tells us that our products are reaching important markets in recent years”, he pointed out.
The president of the Board of Directors of the JAD, José Rafael Comprés, expressed that by promoting and managing events such as this version of Agroalimentaria 2023, the Dominican Agribusiness Board meets the objective of facilitating the development of national agro-exports.
“A country that exports is a country that grows and developsa country that exports is a country that creates jobs and improves the quality of life of its people,” Comprés stated.
Exports offer the opportunity for broader and more diverse markets, which stimulate the production of greater quantities and greater diversity, as well as reaching higher levels of quality and promoting the adoption of more efficient technologies and in correspondence with more demanding markets in terms of quality standards. ¨, indicated Comprés.
Osmar C. Benitez, executive president of the JAD, made the introduction to the opening ceremony and reiterated the institution’s commitment to work in partnership with the authoritiesand with national producers, always trying to improve the quality of life of the Dominican people, especially the people who produce and export agricultural goods.
During the fair, various spaces for Technical Conferences will be held, with topics relevant to the agro-export sector, such as the Perspectives of food safety and food and nutritional sovereignty and security, among others.
In addition, within the framework of the fair the “Dominican Cuisine” will be madewith a diverse and quality content, where different Chefs will develop a program that includes the preparation of various dishes, prepared based on the exportable offer to the delight of international visitors.
The fair will display a wide variety of vegetables, condiments and spices, bananas, coffee and cocoa. Also, tropical fruits, cigars, beer and Dominican rums.
Main products of interest: Avocado, Mango, Tomato, Natural Honey, Garlic, Onion, Eggplant, Sweet Potato, Nuts, Banana, Plantain, Pineapple, Milky, Cuts of Beef, Peppers, Vegetables, Cassava, Lemon, Cucumber, Coffee, Cocoa , Cigars, Coconut Oil, Cookies, Food Preparations and Rum.
Other products of interest: Potatoes, Coconuts, Almonds, Citrus Fruits, Strawberries, Mixed Juices, Water, Malt Beer, Pork, Turkeys, Milk, Cabbages and Broccoli, Carrots, Aujamas, Yams, Macadamia Nuts, Spices, Soybean Oil , Cocoa Butter, Butter, Frozen Food, Beans, Celery, Grapefruit, Cinnamon, Vanilla Essence, Oats, Cherry, Cheese, Sausages, Leek, among others.
Among the main markets of interest They are: United States, Spain, Austria, Netherlands, France, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Palestine, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Panama, Puerto Rico, Argentina, Colombia, Chile, Costa Rica, Bahamas, Guyana, Venezuela, El Salvador , Martinique, Anguilla, Aruba, Guadeloupe, Honduras, Antigua and Barbuda and Trinidad and Tobago among others.