THE CARIBBEA.N ARSl ~ DOKIOTCAi'i REPJBLIC 



Prices 



Prices for fish are set by the govermnent according to grade or quality. Carite is 

 regarded as a first-class fish and a price of S| cents per pound is paid to the fishermen 

 on the beach. At_Ciudad Trujillo the price is from 12 to 16 cents per pound v.'holesale, 

 and retaileis sell for 20 cents per pound for the whole fishj or 25 cents per pound in steaks 

 or fillets. TVhile Colorado is regarded as a second-class fish, the price structure is about 

 the same as for carite because the supply is always less than the demand and because these 

 fish are harder to catch, 



Cojinuda, sama and bermejuela list as third-grade kinds of fish and the fisherr.ien receive 

 about six cents per pound. At retail, these species sell at 9 to 12 cents by the piece and 

 18 cents in steak or fillets. Jurel. mero and pargo bring -ij cents per pound to the fishermen, 

 8 to 11 cents per pound to the retailer, and 12 to 1/+ cents to the consumer. The lowest grade 

 of fish, which includes all small fish, sells for 3 cents per pound to the wholesaler on the 

 beach, 6 to 8 cents to the retailer in Ciudad Trujillo, and 8 to 10 cents per pound to the 

 consumer. These prices are reported to vary somewhat depending on the abundance or scarcity 

 of fish. 



Canning and Preserving 



There are as yet no canneries or other plants devoted to the processing of fish. As 

 far as could be determined, but little fish is salted or dried, and there are no plants 

 engaged in sharp freezing. The capacity sufficient for present needs is provided by present 

 ice-DBking plants, but any expansion in the fresh-fish trade would require larger installations. 

 Sane cold-storage space is available in Ciudad Trujillo and elsewhere in the Republic, but the 

 amount is relatively limited. Recently, however, a large meat-processing plant equipped with 

 modem freezing and ice-making machinery has been completed. This plant, located in Ciudad 

 Trujillo, would be very siiitable for freezing and storing fish. In the Model Market located 

 in the capital, fish are kept in small mechanical refrigerators with which each stall is 

 equipped. 



Exports 

 According to statistics furnished by the Division of General Statistics of the Dominican 

 Government, 300 kilos of fishery products valued at $159.00 was exported in 19A0; and 200 

 kilos valued at f?80.00 was shipped in 19^1. 



Tmpnrrt.c; 



Imports from 1938 to 19A0 



Normal imports of fish have varied between $500,000 and $1,000,000 in value. Tne 

 imports from 1938 to 19A0 are listed in the table given above. 



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