Organics Boom in Dominican Republic

EFE News Service
February 1, 2002

DOMINICAN. REPUBLIC HAS LARGEST NUMBER OF
ORGANIC FARMS IN LATIN AMERICA

Santo Domingo, Feb 1 (EFE).- The Dominican Republic has the largest
number of organic farms - at least 9,000 - in Latin America, followed by Costa
Rica, according to a recent study. Ivan Gaton, who published a study
titled, "Organic Agriculture in the Dominican Republic and the International Market,"
told EFE that the amount of organic bananas exported by the Caribbean country
covers 80 percent of the demand in the European market.
In addition, the amount of organic cocoa sent abroad meets 60 percent of the
international demand, Gaton said.

The organic industry in the Dominican Republic has "great
potential," according to the author of the study, since the demand for foods grown without
pesticides continues to grow around the world.

The demand for organic foods increased more than 160 percent in the
European Union, the United States and Japan between 1997 and 2000, "a growth
rate comparable with the communications and technology industries."

Gaton's study, reviewed by the Foreign Ministry's Diplomatic and
Consular School, noted that countries such as Germany and England have placed
a priority on organic products for children's nutrition.

"Studies show that chemical substances in crops affect the cerebral
development of children," Gaton emphasized.

According to Gaton, "3 percent of minors in Britain eat organic
foods" and the fast food restaurant chain, McDonald's, has begun offering organic
meat.