Local ice industry representatives asked Puerto Rico’s Department of Health to revoke a temporary exemption allowing foreign ice imports during the current drought emergency. Ángel David Vázquez, owner of El Angel Ice Plant and former president of the Asociación de Industriales de Hielo, said local ice plants have sufficient capacity and individual wells to supply consumers without relying on foreign suppliers.
Administrative Order 2026-646 granted the exemption due to critically low reservoir levels and lack of rainfall. The industry argued the measure was unnecessary, criticized the lack of consultation with local producers before it was issued, and warned that allowing foreign importers into the market would harm local plants amid an economic contraction. Vázquez explained that plants mainly draw water from the Autoridad de Acueductos y Alcantarillados but most also have individual wells to maintain production during shortages.
He recalled that the industry kept supplying ice during emergencies such as Hurricane María, insisting the exemption is not needed and that the Department of Health should not sideline local producers without consultation.