Beef and buffalo meat market in Cuba

Earlier Report Observations

The Cuban beef and buffalo meat market volume fell from 91 059 t in 2018 to 63 712 t in 2020. This contraction was driven by a significant reduction in state-run production, which reflected structural problems in the meat sector, and was worsened by the economic crisis during the COVID-19 pandemic. In response, the government introduced maximum purchase prices for live cattle in 2020 to encourage farmers and support supply.

Market volume recovered to 88 109 t by 2022, following the implementation of fixed procurement prices under Agreement 9052/2021. These price controls guaranteed farmers a commercial margin when selling to authorized slaughterhouses, which helped stimulate domestic production and increase formal market availability.

In 2023, the market declined again to 72 249 t. A report linked the shortage to policies favoring imports over domestic production, noting that companies controlled by the military sector (GAESA) held a monopoly based on imports. Persistent state restrictions on distribution and sales continued to limit investment and local output.

Production beef and buffalo meat in Cuba

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of beef and buffalo meat, 2017-2020

World map of production of beef and buffalo meat, 2017-2020

Cuba's beef and buffalo meat production has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, production reached 62 200 tonnes, representing an 11.3% year-on-year decrease. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 25.6%, which translates to an average annual decline of 9.4%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 89 050 tonnes. The most significant drop occurred in 2019 with a 21.2% decrease, while the largest increase was seen in 2018 at 6.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in Cuba in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports beef and buffalo meat from Cuba

According to market research, Cuba did not export any beef or buffalo meat between 2017 and 2020.

Imports beef and buffalo meat to Cuba

Imports in kind, t

Following two years of growth, Cuba's beef and buffalo meat imports declined. In 2020, imports totaled 1 512 tonnes, a 47.8% drop compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 17.3%, averaging an annual decline of 6.1%. The peak import volume was in 2019 at 2 895 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 44.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Cuba in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Spain, Chile, and Brazil were the main sources of Cuba's beef and buffalo meat imports by volume. Spain accounted for 29.8% of imports, Chile for 25.2%, and Brazil for 22.1%. Together, these three countries made up 77.1% of total imports during this period.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Cuba in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

After increasing for two years, Cuba's beef and buffalo meat imports in value terms fell. In 2020, imports amounted to 8 300 thousand US dollars, a 40.3% decrease from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, import value declined by 28.2%, with an average annual rate of 10.4%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 13 898 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 11.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Cuba in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Brazil, Spain, and Chile were the leading suppliers of beef and buffalo meat to Cuba in terms of value. Brazil contributed 26.9% of import value, Spain 24.4%, and Chile 18.0%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 69.3% of Cuba's total import value for these products.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Cuba in value, 2017-2020