The Dominica Export Import Agency (DEXIA) has successfully completed the second of two trial shipments of plantains to the United States (U.S.). The shipments departed Dominica on June 11 and June 19 respectively.
A total of forty-one thousand (41,000) pounds of Dominican plantains, sourced from over thirty (30) local farmers were exported. These pilot shipments are part of a broader effort to expand Dominica’s trade footprints in both regional and international markets, with a strong emphasis on product quality, supply chain efficiency, and farmer empowerment.
This milestone reflects DEXIA’s commitment to strengthening the island’s agricultural value chain and farmer support, through structured market access and guaranteed procurement.
During an interview with Dominica News Online (DNO) on Friday, Director of Projects and Marketing at DEXIA, Cleave St Jean said that in addition to the first shipment of plantains that was exported last week Thursday, (being the trial batch for the U.S.) and the shipment that went out yesterday, another is being planned for next week.
“The niche market is a market with a lot of large demands, traditionally they source plantains from Latin America and the Dominican Republic, so we are actually working with someone to see if we can penetrate and we can draw attention to the West Indian people in the U.S. to purchase West Indian origin plantains (Dominican plantains),” he said.
According to St Jean, there is the capacity to tap into the U.S. consumer market for plantains.
Furthermore, he explained that shipping days would depend on the schedule of the transport agency, which is Tropical Shipping.
“We are going to send the third one next week, so we will be getting a review from the buyer as to how we are performing in the market,” St Jean explained. “You cannot just tell by just doing one shipment..”
He continued, “After we have done probably three or four then we will get better feedback…”
Additionally, St Jean noted that DEXIA also exports mixed containers to St Thomas every two to three weeks. These, he said, include coconut, plantains, tanias, cucumbers, eggplants, and seasoning peppers.
He revealed that DEXIA also exports mixed containers to Tortola (British Virgin Islands) every two weeks with a dominance of the listed produce, as well as yams and dasheen.
A previous release mentioned that the U.S. market offers significant opportunities for Dominica’s fresh produce, given its growing demand for more natural and healthier produce.
“The successful execution of this shipment demonstrates our continued progress in positioning Dominica as a reliable source of fresh, sustainable produce,” Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Business, Trade, and Energy Dr. Vince Henderson said. “We thank our farmers for their dedication and partnership; their hard work is at the core of this achievement.”
A key feature of the market expansion initiative is DEXIA’s Procurement of Agricultural Produce Facility, which the Government established in 2023, that enables prompt, 48-hour payment to farmers.
This facility represents a critical component in improving farmer confidence and livelihoods. DEXIA has indicated that it will continue to collaborate with the Ministry of Agriculture to ensure that farmers can deliver export-quality produce consistently while also vigorously exploring new market opportunities, the result of which is intended to contribute to Government’s target of attaining $700m of GDP in agricultural trade by 2030.
are we exempt from Trump’s tariffs?
I can’t wait to go to store and see a da tag on produce im tired with garbage from Mexico send mangoes and breadfruit bread nuts thanks
This is a very good venture for Dominican farmers. I urge all involve to be vigilant when it comes to the quality of the plantains. If an education session is required to help the farmers…get this done.
Second aspect has to be the presentation. In the past some of the shipping boxes used to beg for a replacement. Lets pay attention to the packaging.
Thirdly..branding…..lets make ourselves be visible…big and bold.
Sounds like a good plan; however, economies of scales and a highly competitive banana and plantain market dominated by Latin American conglomerates are the stark realities of the day.
This commendable and bold business venture is akin to a Mom and Pop store setting up a hamburger stand across from a McDonald’s restaurant. While not a doomed venture, such an enterprise will require the merchants to carve out a niche market strategy where competitive pricing and extraordinary product quality are front and center of their operating principles.
At the end of the day, I do support the plan as well as the initiative to give your dream a best effort while bearing in mind that the Most High can bless and prosper anyone and any effort he chooses.
Waiting for negative comments from the blue blind puppets and enemies of the state,MEME,Bwa and the lunatic Ibo.
Don’t be surprised if they switch the handle/name and post a positive comment, you know!
Very commendable effort! If this could be done on much larger acreages of land, it would be even better. Anything that promotes more employment for locals and buttresses food security has my fullest support.
Labour psychopath, you referring to a perfectly sane man like me as a lunatic? Take it back! (laugh)
This is indeed a good move in the right direction!
If Dominica and Dominicans were really serious – South Eastern District Plantain Association (SEDPA) would be in full swing exporting plantains to the UK and to the US. They chose to take down SEDPA for short term gain with regional market that go through a boom and bust cycle. The entire South East and Dominica on a whole still suffering from this loss.