Haiti has been for years one of the main destinations of the Dominican exports. However, trade with the neighboring country has had to reinvent itself in the midst of an extreme scenario: murders, kidnappings, roads controlled by gangs and a practically absent State.
Even so, the figures show a significant rebound. Between January and August 2025, the Dominican exports toward Haiti reached 775.77 million dollars, a growth of 32.35% compared to the same period last year, according to data from the General Directorate of Customs (DGA).
Since the exacerbation of haitian crisisespecially after the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021, Dominican transporters and exporters have had to modify their logistics to reduce risks.
Among the main measures adopted is the implementation of the border transshipment: Dominican trucks reach safe points such as Jimaní (Malpaso) or Dajabón, where the cargo is transferred to haitian trucks. These, previously authorized by the gangs that control the areas, are in charge of transporting the goods to their final destination.
“It is a transfer to haitian truckerswho are already in agreement with the band, they pay their pesosand they carry their merchandise. “That’s because of Malpaso,” said the poultry businessman. Juan José Castillo Bencosme.
He estimated that more than 70% of what is consumed in Port-au-Prince It arrives through Jimaní and Malpaso; while a small part enters through Dajabón, and a minimum amount of merchandise moves through Pedernales. Nearly 40 million eggs are exported to Haiti.
Ivan Garciapresident of the Dominican Federation of Merchants (FDC), pointed out that Haitian importers organize security caravans to escort the trucks from the border to Port-au-Prince. “Haitian importers cover the cost of that security so that their goods arrive without problems,” he noted.
This is what is exported
between the 2019 and 2024the Dominican exports toward Haiti accumulated 5,238 million dollars, according to data from ProDominicana and the DGA. This period was marked by the pandemicthe presidential assassination, the control of armed gangs and the partial closure of the border.
Even so, the bilateral trade has shown some resilience. The exports They went from 820.7 million dollars in 2019 to 899.5 million in 2024, a cumulative increase of 9.6% and an average annual growth of 3.3%.
Despite the crisis, Haiti remains one of the main markets for the Dominican Republic, constantly ranking among the first three destinations of your articles.
According to ProDominicanathey identify 3,491 products exported, with the participation of 5,146 exporters Dominicans.
Dominican exports to Haiti have maintained a relevant role in the country’s foreign trade, with an accumulated value of more than 12,031.4 million dollars between 2012 and 2024, according to data from ProDominicana and the DGA compiled on the Data Market platform.
During this period, the country registered an average annual growth of 8.1%, although the year-on-year behavior has been marked by ups and downs due to economic, political and commercial factors between both countries. 2012 marked a high point with 1,054.7 million dollars exported, a figure that remained stable until 2014 with values of 1,063.8 million.
