The Dominican Republic has good avocado growing potential says César Augusto Fernández Montoya, who hails from Peru, but is now general manager of Macapi Agroforestry on the island nation. He is there to assist the large family business to grow their potential and exports to the U.S. and European markets.
“Well, the Hass avocado crop is growing slowly but it has very good weather conditions and geographical location here in the Dominican Republic for export to the U.S. and Europe. I oversee the avocado operation on three farms with approximately 2,500 hectares between green skin and Hass. The maximum yields reached to date are on average 15 tons per hectare with low costs. They can be better but you have to work on plant quality when you start planting and technology. The demand may continue to grow as the State invests and invites foreign investors too. The company I work for is the largest on the island and is a private family business,” explains Augusto.
Macapi with the main base in Los Calimetes, western Elías Piña province of the Dominican Republic, is the island’s largest grower and exporter of avocados. They export several hundred containers each year, mainly to the U.S. market. They also grow Hass avocado in San Juan Maguana in the Dominican Republic at 600 meters above sea level with a tentative first harvest from October 2023.
He says the Dominican Republic has great potential to expand the avocado plantations and to export more volumes to their key markets. “DR still have little planted area for export of avocados. The main harvest is from October to January with Hass avocado and there are high areas over 1,000 meters above sea level. They have three flower floors on some occasions, which opens harvest almost all year round. The avocado’s are growing with a good load, nutritional balance and health. We are attentive with the budding with the beginning of rains in the Dormidero farm located in San Juan de Maguana,” concludes Augusto.
For more information:
César Augusto Fernández Montoya
Macapi Agroforestry
Email: [email protected]
www.grupomacapi.com