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A decline in local swine production due to African swine fever (ASF) continues to provide increased export opportunities for U.S. pork and pork products to the Dominican Republic, which are looking to set another record in 2024 after reaching 96,010 Metric Tons (MT) in 2023.
In July 2021, ASF was officially detected in the Dominican Republic (DR). The disease spread throughout the country, causing the death or depopulation of approximately 30% (210,000 head) of the national pig herd.
ASF testing has increased significantly since the disease was detected in the country. The Central Veterinary Laboratory (LAVECEN) processed 10,000 samples in 2021, increasing that number to 40,000 in 2022 and 85,000 in 2023. As of September 2024, LAVECEN has processed 65,000 samples, on track to surpass the total from the previous year.
The positivity rate of ASF samples processed through LAVECEN had consistently declined until 2024. Although the rate dropped from 29.3% in 2021 to 0.7% in 2023, it has increased to 1.05% thus far in 2024.
When analyzing detected ASF outbreaks in the DR, there was a peak in December 2021, with 201 outbreaks; however, that number has significantly declined, and by September 2024, only 33 outbreaks were detected. Nonetheless, ICS-DR data shows an upward trend in ASF outbreaks during 2024, with average monthly outbreaks increasing by 63% compared to 2023, rising from 16 to 26.
ASF is or has been present in almost every corner of the DR, with confirmed outbreaks in 28 out of 31 provinces. The most affected province has been Monte Plata with 221 outbreaks followed by Maria Trinidad Sanchez with 200 cases, and Santiago with 165.
Map of ASF outbreaks by province - June 2021 to September 2024. Source: ICS-RD.
Through the DR’s compensation program for ASF-affected pork producers, the country has culled 210,111 pigs as of September 2024 and has processed $28.4 million in payments to more than 5,000 producers. USDA/APHIS has provided approximately $15 million of that total.
The number of culled pigs by Dominican authorities has consistently declined since 2021, from 112,147 pigs to 5,507 pigs as of September 2024. Similarly, compensation payments have also decreased from $15 million in 2021 to barely $1 million as of September 2024.
The country has established canine units in the main airports to inspect the luggage of departing passengers. Additionally, incinerators have been installed or repaired in the main airports to improve international garbage management.
Additionally, at the request of the Dominican Government, a safety trial for the ASF vaccine developed by USDA/ARS is currently taking place in the Dominican Republic. This trial is not expected to impact local production patterns or the current disease situation.
Conclusion
As the disease has become endemic in the country, and with the disease also present in neighboring Haiti, where there are no current efforts to combat it, the possibility of eradicating the disease seems farfetched. Local authorities seem to be moving toward mechanisms to ensure that the prevalence of the disease remains low, increasing bio contention measurements and increasing biosecurity practices at the farm level. Compensation payments are expected to end in the short term. Instead, the Dominican Government with support from USDA/APHIS is looking to establish a fund to finance the implementation of biosecurity measures at farms through no-interest loans.
November 19, 2024/ USDA/ United States.
https://www.usda.gov/
