US Suspends Dominican Mango Imports Over Fruit Fly Protocol Issues

The United States suspended imports of Dominican mangoes after authorities detected failures in fruit fly monitoring protocols. The decision, communicated by the US Department of Agriculture, affects the country's main export market for mangoes.

What happened

US inspectors found that fruit fly traps in Dominican mango orchards were not properly maintained, with infestation rates exceeding the 0.5% threshold required under the pre-inspection protocol Source: hoydo. The suspension follows warnings from APHIS since 2023 about weaknesses in the system Source: hoydo.

Government response

The Ministry of Agriculture appointed Jeurys Arias as new coordinator for the fruit fly monitoring program and created a commission to review 100% of traps for Anastrepha obliqua Source: elcaribedr. In Peravia province, which produces 80% of exportable mangoes, 2,089 traps are under review. Authorities also plan to strengthen monitoring and automate data collection Source: eldiado.

• Impact limited: 85-90% of yellow-skinned mangoes had already been exported before the suspension, leaving only about 10% affected Source: listindiario.
• Europe unaffected: Exports to Europe continue normally, as the country remains free of Ceratitis capitata Source: eldiado.

Political reaction

The opposition PLD blamed the suspension on abandonment of the pre-inspection program created in 2016, claiming losses could exceed US$20 million . The party called for a state of phytosanitary emergency.