Belarus eyes dry milk formula exports to Dominican Republic

MINSK, 9 April (BelTA) - Belarus is looking to grow its exports of dry milk formulas to the Dominican Republic. The topic came up during a working meeting in Minsk between Deputy Agriculture and Food Minister Aleksandr Yakovchits and Ambassador of the Dominican Republic to the Russian Federation with concurrent accreditation to the Republic of Belarus Alejandro Arias Zarzuela, BelTA learned from the press service of the Belarusian Agriculture and Food Ministry.

The parties discussed prospects for expanding trade cooperation in the agri-food sector, with an emphasis on supplying high-value-added products. The Dominican Republic is the largest economy in the Caribbean basin, where the tourism sector plays a key role. In 2025, trade in agricultural products between the countries was almost entirely composed of fruits, berries, and cocoa paste supplies to Belarus. The export potential of Belarus is complicated by geographical distance and high logistics costs, especially for transporting frozen goods. Nevertheless, the parties found mutual areas of interest by focusing on products that can withstand long-distance transportation.

The parties discussed a mutual interest - the supply of dry milk formulas for infant and adult nutrition. This product category optimally meets the requirements of the Dominican market: long shelf life, compact logistics, and high demand from tourism infrastructure enterprises - hotels, restaurants, and social institutions.

“We are interested in dairy products, primarily dry milk formulas that can be transported over long distances without loss of quality. This is a strategically important direction for our country, given the growing demand for quality nutrition. After all, the quality characteristics of Belarusian products are known throughout the world,” Alejandro Arias Zarzuela said.

Belarus is ready to offer Dominican partners not only standard items but also turnkey solutions: ready-made mixtures for producing yogurts, cottage cheese, ice cream, and reconstituted milk. Additionally, the possibility of producing cheeses and butter in small consumer packaging with branding under Dominican tour operators’ trademarks is being explored, a format in high demand in the hotel and restaurant business.

“We have prepared a commercial proposal that takes into account the specifics of the Dominican market. The possibility of supplying dry mixes alongside the production of branded dairy products for the tourism sector could become a new growth point and area of mutual interest,” Aleksandr Yakovchits emphasized.

The parties agreed to promptly work out issues related to tariff regulation, logistics schemes, and customs procedures. To deepen dialogue, it is planned to invite a delegation from the Dominican Republic consisting of diplomatic, government, and business representatives to the international exhibition Belagro, which will take place in Minsk in June.

The meeting confirmed that systematic work to align supply conditions and adapt products to the needs of the Dominican market will make it possible to overcome logistical barriers and elevate bilateral cooperation in the agri-food sector to a qualitatively new level.