Reference Date: 05-February-2024

Paddy output in 2023 estimated to be near average

Harvesting of the 2023 second season paddy crop was completed in December 2023 and the 2023 paddy production is estimated at an average level of 1.1 million tonnes, slightly lower than the bumper production attained in 2022. Excellent yields of the first season crop, harvested in the first half of the year, offset a slight contraction of area sown with the second season crop. The above‑average yields in the first half of 2023 were mainly due to increased access to fertilizers and diesel, as both inputs have been subsidized by the government with a total budget of DOP  5 150 million (equivalent to about USD 88 million) in 2023. Torrential rains in mid‑November 2023 displaced 37 000 people and affected about 7 400 houses, especially in the provinces of Duarte, Santo Domingo and Barahona. Official estimates about damages in the agricultural sector amount to USD 460 million, including 4 000 hectares of cropping area flooded and 1 500 km of greenhouses affected.

Maize output in 2023 is estimated at an above‑average level of 80 000 tonnes due to an increase in area sown, on account of strong demand by the domestic feed sector, amid rising poultry production. The decision of the main national beer factory to purchase domestically produced maize also supported acreage expansion.

Planting of 2024 main paddy crop ongoing under overall favourable conditions

Planting operations of the 2024 main season paddy crop is ongoing under overall favourable conditions. In southwestern areas, where soil moisture is saturated, operations are progressing at a slow pace. Planted area is expected to increase, supported by high levels of domestic rice prices. The weather forecast points to average rainfall amounts between February and April 2024, with positive effects for crop emergence and vegetative development.

Slightly above‑average cereal import requirements forecast in 2023/24 marketing year

Cereal import requirements in the 2023/24 marketing year (July/June) are forecast at a slightly above‑average level of 2.1 million tonnes. The anticipated requirements reflect strong demand of yellow maize to be processed by the domestic feed industry and of wheat for human consumption.

Prices of staple rice and black beans higher year‑on‑year in January 2024

Retail prices of rice have been generally on the rise since July 2023 and, as of January 2024, they were more than 18 percent higher year‑on‑year. The sustained increase reflects below‑average sowings and the decline of the 2023 minor season output compared to a year ago. After weakening during the second half of 2023, prices of black beans and yellow maize rose in January 2024. Despite a larger year‑on‑year production of black beans in 2023, prices remained up from a year earlier, partially due to strong demand, reduced imports in 2023 and higher year‑on‑year international prices. In addition, the national currency that had been stable during the second half of 2023 weakened in the first month of 2024, contributing generally to the price increases.

About 1.1 million people estimated to face acute food insecurity between December 2023 and April 2024

According to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) analysis, the number of people facing acute food insecurity is estimated at 1.1 million between December 2023 and April 2024, corresponding to 10 percent of the analysed population of 10.7 million, down from 1.55 million between October 2022 and February 2023. The year‑on‑year decline reflects an expected increase in the minimum wage and lower unemployment, and favourable weather conditions during the first months of 2024.

The food insecurity situation that affects more than 1 million people is mainly driven by the high food prices, with the annual inflation rate of food recording 6.1 percent in December 2023, albeit down from 11.2 percent a year earlier. This is expected to diminish the purchasing power of the most vulnerable households and constrain their access to food. The closure of the border with Haiti since last September, although partially reopened, raises concerns over livelihoods of those who rely on commercial activities with the neighbouring country, as trade operations and the number of migrants are expected to reduce.

Disclaimer: The designations employed and the presentation of material in this information product do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of FAO concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.

This brief was prepared using the following data/tools:
FAO/GIEWS Country Cereal Balance Sheet (CCBS) https://www.fao.org/giews/data-tools/en/ .

FAO/GIEWS Food Price Monitoring and Analysis (FPMA) Tool https://fpma.fao.org/ .

FAO/GIEWS Earth Observation for Crop Monitoring https://www.fao.org/giews/earthobservation/ .

Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) https://www.ipcinfo.org/ .