World trade in fresh produce has been expanding significantly in recent years due to the growing world population, and to changes in consumer tastes and preferences, as they are demanding increasingly healthy food. At the same time, import markets are imposing more requirements.

For both the Dominican Republic and Haiti, the most important export markets are the United States of America and Europe. Demand for imported food and beverages in the United States is valued at more than USD 140 billion. Meanwhile, demand in Europe tops USD 467 billion annually.

In this context, over the past five years, both markets have been modifying their food safety and quality requirements in accordance with the demands and stipulations of their consumers, thereby increasing market access requirements. In particular, for fresh agricultural products with sanitary and phytosanitary measures, technical requirements related to quality, packaging and labelling, and certifications to ensure good practices that affect workers, the product and production methods.

The provisions of a number of European regulations are being amended so that producers on the island of Hispaniola can access those markets. These amendments have been primarily in relation to good agricultural practices, manufacturing, labelling, pesticides' maximum residue limits, and pests and diseases that have a trade impact, and have redefined the production process of many productive chains.

Across the island, agriculture has a highly significant and decisive socio economic impact, as it has an income multiplier effect for producers, dependants and the regional economy; there is evidence of economic and social development where this activity has increased markedly.

In the Dominican Republic, the agricultural sector accounts for one in every six jobs in the country. It contributes 6% to GDP and has created over 270,000 direct jobs. In Haiti, the data are even more noteworthy: agriculture creates more than one in three jobs. Agricultural activity accounts for 22% of GDP and creates some 1.7 million jobs.

The trade value of the three production chains selected is important for the island, both in terms of local consumption and in terms of the Dominican Republic's current exports and Haiti's export potential. These chains were chosen primarily because of the pests inherent to the products, which have led to them being repeatedly rejected for sale by the European and United States' markets. According to USDA/APHIS reports, nearly 12% of fruit and vegetables are intercepted and subject to quarantine measures, which range from fumigation to the destruction of the product or its return to the market of origin. This results in major losses, particularly for MSMEs on the island.