Dominican Republic: Closure of Haiti Dominican Republic Border Impacts Food Security-Bilateral Trade and US Agricultural Exports

The closure of the Haiti-Dominican Republic border on September 14 due to a binational dispute over the construction of a canal on the Haitian side of the Dajabon River has exacerbated the food security situation in Haiti and caused mounting losses for Dominican farmers. In the North area of Haiti, Post sources confirm shortages and a spike in prices for food products such as eggs, poultry, wheat flour, and other items. On the Dominican side, as of October 3, Post estimates that Dominican farmers have incurred losses on exports to Haiti totaling approximately US$21 million. U.S. agricultural exports to the DR, including wheat, soybean and vegetable oils, soybean meal, corn, and pork and poultry meat, could also be impacted by this situation. While current actions from both governments do not offer promising prospects for a quick resolution of the conflict, interventions such as the upcoming UN-endorsed international security mission in Haiti, could provide opportunities for bilateral discussion to resume.