In 2012, a production of 735.6 million oranges was recorded indicating an increase of 62% over the 2002 crop yield.
Christopher Columbus brought orange seeds to the Caribbean islands on his second voyage. In Spanish, they produce comezaron from the year 1494. Worldwide, there are about 300 varieties of which are grown commercially 10%.
The Dominican Republic produces the Valenciana, Criolla, Washington Navel and Pineapple orange varieties for juice, marmalade, canned fruit and fresh produce. Our sweet oranges are harvested on some 21,000 hectares of plantations, yielding approximately 170,000 MT in 2012.