Post by Brasil Sugar International

Dominican Republic’s sugar sector cuts dependence on foreign labour as mechanised harvesting reaches 70% By Vivek Waghmode - July 10, 2026 The Dominican Republic’s sugar industry has significantly reduced its reliance on foreign labour after mechanised sugarcane harvesting expanded from just 1% to 70% over the past five years, improving productivity and operational efficiency. The progress was discussed during a meeting at the National Palace between President Luis Abinader and executives of the country’s leading sugar mills, where they reviewed the sector’s performance and its contribution to the national economy, Dominican Today reported. Representatives from Central Romana, Ingenio CAEI and Ingenio Barahona attended the meeting along with Industry, Commerce and MSMEs Minister Eduardo Sanz Lovatón. Officials said the rapid adoption of mechanised harvesting has replaced the need for thousands of foreign workers who were previously employed in sugarcane cutting. They added that the shift has improved efficiency while reducing the industry’s dependence on manual labour. Government and industry leaders said continued investment in mechanisation and modernisation is helping strengthen the competitiveness and long-term sustainability of one of the Dominican Republic’s key industries. Brasil Sugar International (BSI) Website: https://brasil-sugar.com Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +1 248 939 2646