Dominican Republic’s Tea Trade: Imports and Exports

The Dominican Republic, known for its stunning beaches and vibrant culture, actively participates in the global tea trade. In 2021, the country exported tea valued at $42.3k, positioning itself as the 125th largest tea exporter worldwide. While tea ranked as the 727th most exported product in the Dominican Republic that year, its significance in the country’s trade landscape should not be underestimated.

Tea Exports from the Dominican Republic

The United States stands out as the main destination for tea exports from the Dominican Republic, with imports valued at $39.2k. Other significant destinations for Dominican tea exports include Canada, Cuba, Haiti, and Honduras. Canada accounted for $1.3k in tea imports, followed by Cuba with $724, Haiti with $622, and Honduras with $146.

Notably, between 2020 and 2021, the Dominican Republic experienced substantial growth in tea exports to the United States, Cuba, and Haiti. The United States witnessed an impressive increase of $36.6k, followed by Cuba with $724 and Haiti with $622.

Continent	Country	Trade Value
Asia	South Korea	22
Europe	Estonia	97
Europe	France	120
North America	Bahamas	2
North America	Canada	1,298
North America	Cuba	724
North America	Honduras	146
North America	Haiti	622
North America	Turks and Caicos Islands	9
North America	United States	39,233

Tea Imports in the Dominican Republic

In 2021, the Dominican Republic imported tea valued at $933k, establishing itself as the 148th largest tea importer globally. While tea ranked as the 764th most imported product in the Dominican Republic that year, its significance in the country’s trade landscape should not be overlooked. The Dominican Republic primarily sources its tea imports from countries such as the United States, Poland, Spain, China, and France. The United States accounted for the highest tea imports, totaling $363k, followed by Poland with $131k, Spain with $123k, China with $87.9k, and France with $83.6k.

Between 2020 and 2021, the fastest-growing import markets for tea in the Dominican Republic were the United States, experiencing a substantial increase of $88.7k, followed by France with $45.8k and China with $37.8k.

Continent	Country	Trade Value
Asia	China	87,861
Asia	Indonesia	29
Asia	India	1,590
Asia	Japan	704
Asia	South Korea	14
Asia	Lebanon	521
Asia	Sri Lanka	3,134
Asia	Saudi Arabia	47
Asia	Singapore	26,387
Asia	Turkey	60
Asia	Vietnam	134
Asia	Chinese Taipei	788
Europe	Germany	18,100
Europe	Spain	122,709
Europe	France	83,648
Europe	Croatia	1,216
Europe	Italy	6,409
Europe	Poland	131,051
North America	Canada	47,225
North America	Costa Rica	22,574
North America	United States	363,193
South America	Argentina	15,888
South America	Colombia	63

Potential Of Tea Import and Export Between Vietnam-Dominican Republic

While the bilateral trade between Vietnam and Dominican Republic may not currently reach significant levels, it is worth noting that Dominican Republic’s tea imports in 2021 amounted to a total value of $134. Recognizing this, it becomes evident that Vietnam, as a global leader in tea production and export, has immense potential to collaborate with Dominican Republic in introducing Vietnamese tea to the Dominican Republic market in the foreseeable future.

Tariffs on Tea Trade

In 2018, the Dominican Republic applied an average tariff rate of 16.7% on tea imports. However, certain countries imposed higher import tariffs on tea. Angola, Burundi, Benin, Burkina Faso, and Botswana had the highest import tariffs for tea, all subject to the Most Favored Nation duty rate treatment of 20%.

Conclusion

The Dominican Republic’s tea trade reflects its active role in the global market, with both tea exports and imports contributing to the country’s trade dynamics. While the Dominican Republic’s tea exports demonstrate growth potential, the nation remains dependent on tea imports to meet domestic demand. The United States serves as the primary source of tea imports, followed by Poland, Spain, China, and France. As the Dominican Republic continues to engage in the global tea trade, it will be intriguing to observe how the industry evolves and contributes to the country’s vibrant trade landscape. Understanding tariff rates is crucial for tea traders, as the Dominican Republic applies a moderate average tariff rate, while some countries impose higher tariffs on tea imports. As the Dominican Republic’s tea trade progresses, it will be fascinating to witness how the industry shapes the local tea culture and contributes to the country’s economic growth.

Data: BACI