Dominican tobacco exports rise, but imports remain high due to specific leaf needs

The Dominican Republic's tobacco industry is a significant agricultural export, generating $960.4 million in foreign currency between January and July, a 22% increase from the same period last year. However, the sector continues to import more raw tobacco than it exports. Between 2021 and 2025, annual imports of raw tobacco averaged $412.6 million, double the $198.9 million exported in the same timeframe.

While this year shows a positive trend with exports exceeding imports by $37.7 million, the country still relies on foreign sources for crucial components. Iván Hernández, executive director of the Dominican Institute of Tobacco (Intabaco), explained that the nation excels in producing filler tobacco (tripa) but depends on importing wrapper (capote) and binder (capa) leaves. "Due to climatic and soil conditions, countries like Ecuador or the United States, for example, which produce (in a specific) season, with different seasons and climate, produce better quality, and it is easier. It's not that it's not produced here, but it costs much more," he stated.

This reliance is reflected in land allocation, with only 4,361 out of 135,884 tasks dedicated to wrapper cultivation for the 2025-2026 harvest. The majority of land is used for filler varieties like Havanensis and Andullo. Despite this, Intabaco highlights Dominican success stories, such as Arturo Fuente's Opus X Cigar, recognized internationally for its quality. A new free trade zone in San Juan is also creating over 300 jobs due to the product's boom. Intabaco is also developing entirely Dominican-made cigars to promote the product's local potential.

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Due to climatic and soil conditions, countries like Ecuador or the United States, for example, which produce (in a specific) season, with different seasons and climate, produce better quality, and it is easier. It's not that it's not produced here, but it costs much more.