After more than 40 years without being able to export beef to the United States, two weeks ago the first truckload of beef to the American country with more than 40,000 poundsan amount that seals the first step to strengthen commercial ties with the agricultural sector.
With enthusiasm and hope, executives from the national livestock production sector confirmed today that the sanitary controls to be able to send the first shipment of beef, a bet they had been trying to win for years.
Last April, the Agriculture department of the United States granted eligibility to the Dominican Republic to allow the export of products from beef raw, intact and derived from cattle to that country.
During a meeting with members of the press, Erik Rivero, government advisor on agricultural matters, indicated that, although the amount recently sold in the international market does not represent a large number compared to the demand, it represents an important step to strengthen mechanisms and increase the exports of that productive sector.
With the first export of raw and intact beef, the sector is preparing to face some pending issues in terms of production and equipment that allow promoting the export culture and competitiveness, specified Rivero.
The first work strategy that, in fact, is being executed, is the qualification from slaughterhouses and the improvement in terms of product management practices in small producers.
On his side, Giovanni Molina, director of Livestock, assured that the country complied with the standards, and the export of the first shipment is the beginning of the diversification of the sector’s exports.
By June of this year, the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) of the United States Department of Agriculture reported that it had completed its system review Dominican Republic documented inspection inspection for raw and intact beef (beef) products. By that date, some processes were missing to be able to export this type of meat.
Loans to dairy farmers
During this 2022, the National Council for the Regulation and Promotion of the Dairy Industry (withmilk) has approved 410 million pesos for the financing of various livestock production subsectors, directly impacting producers.
Thanks to financial support, it has been possible sort out various eventualities that limit milk production, such as lack of supply of Water, Energy electricity and resources to acquire new hatchlingsexplained the executive director of withmilkMiguel Laureano.
To the date, four companies Dominican women have achieved to export and position its dairy products in US markets, an achievement that reflects the advances in the industry, he said.
The executive participated in the meeting with representatives of the press in which he detailed what invested the resources economic and its level of scope.
Of the 410 million pesos destined to support the sector, just over half were used for purchases of cattle, for 243 million pesos.
Laureano said that 28 million of pesos were destined for the promotion of pasturesdue to the fact that the producers expressed difficulties in obtaining food for the cows.
While 17 million of pesos were used in the building. In that order, he specified that the neighborhood roads are in poor condition and that the intervention carried out by the government has not been effective. “We need durable construction that can help expedite work,” he said.
The producers have also adapted their workspaces, for which they invested 8 million of pesos in purchase of equipment, 9 million pesos for working capital and 11 million pesos for energy transformation.
They seek to improve energy supply
When talking about the energy issue, he explained that they are advancing in the integration of new supply sources such as renewable energy.
“The goal of withmilk has been to democratize the commercialization of milk at the national level, where the small producers they can market, like the big producers at the national level, and sell at the same prices,” said Laureano.
After the impact of hurricane fiona In September, the sector was severely affected, a situation that led the institution to make an extra effort to support cattle owners with donations of zinc sheets, economic support, and technical follow-up for small businessmen who have not been able to recover their pace of work.
As a result of the consequences of the pandemic and natural damage, several improvement opportunities for the industry, including cattle feed and alternatives to increase production through genetics.
The strategy includes helping small producers with less than 500 tasks of land for pastures and no more than 100 heads cattle as the first advance to strengthen national production.
