Egg Smuggling In The Dominican Will Continue Despite Ban, Warns Producers

The informal shipment of eggs to Haiti will continue, according to Manuel Escao, president of the National Association of Egg Producers (Asohuevo), despite the Central Government's ban issued on Jan. 5, Diario Libre reported.

The measure was rejected by the egg producers even though the Minister of the Presidency, Joel Santos, claimed to have struck a settlement.

"With the decision made by the Government, the black and informal market is encouraged to continue selling products across the river to Haiti," bypassing security mechanisms and regulations for trade with that nation.

20% of the eight million daily units produced in the country, according to the representative of table egg producers, are sold on the formal and informal markets in Haiti. The authorities are aware of the predicament he mentions.

"Informal exports will continue because the government knows that this market develops along the river." What is expected with the measure is a deterioration of the sector, he said.

Considering that Haiti is the sole international market where 20% of the nation's production of table eggs, which surpasses 8 million units per day, is shipped, Asohuevos rejected the provision and asked that it be changed.

Escaño referred to the General Directorate of Customs (DGA) resolution, which imposes a prohibition on the export of eggs beginning at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 6, and lasting through January 21, as "misguided, unfair, and absurd."

The Minister of the Presidency himself admitted on Jan. 5 that it was necessary to address the productive sectors that attempted to dodge it in order to implement this resolution. There had been "conversations with the productive sectors, trying to contain this decision, but, finally, starting tomorrow (today), at 6 in the afternoon, for 15 days (exports) would be suspended."

He claimed that the nation's egg industry had kept to its promise to supply the local market and prevented costs from rising greatly.

The official reiterated that the measure is temporary and that it will be reviewed every 15 days.

"The main objective is to try to rebalance demand and supply to avoid a significant increase in prices in the egg sector," added the minister.