Capsicum and pimenta fruits market in Cuba

Earlier Report Observations

The Cuban market for fresh or chilled capsicum and pimenta fruits showed considerable volatility from 2018 to 2023, primarily following domestic production trends. After a slight increase to 79 707 t in 2019, the market volume contracted sharply in 2020, falling by over 20% to 62 487 t. This decline coincided with the global COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted agricultural supply chains and labor availability.

A partial recovery lifted the market to 65 060 t in 2022, but output collapsed in 2023, halving to 31 016 t and dragging the total market volume down by more than 50%. Imports remained minimal throughout this period, never exceeding 70 t, and thus had a negligible impact on overall supply.

In 2024, the Ministry of Agriculture issued Resolution 27/2024, formally updating phytosanitary import regulations for plants and plant products, including fresh peppers. The new rules require permits and inspections for imported vegetative goods, further tightening control over market access.

Production capsicum and pimenta fruits in Cuba

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of capsicum and pimenta fruits, 2017-2020

World map of production of capsicum and pimenta fruits, 2017-2020

In 2020, Cuba produced 62.6 thousand tons of capsicum and pimenta fruits, marking a significant decrease of 21.5% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production fell by 37.6%, which translates to an average annual decline of 14.6%. The sharpest drop occurred in 2018, with a 21.6% decrease, while 2019 saw a modest increase of 1.3%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Cuba's capsicum and pimenta fruits production declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, the output was valued at 160.1 million US dollars, down 19.8% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 37.9%, averaging an annual decline of 14.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in Cuba in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports capsicum and pimenta fruits from Cuba

Exports in kind, t

Capsicum and pimenta fruits exports from Cuba increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, export volume reached 129.0 tons, showing a sharp rise of 45.1% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 63.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 17.7%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 60.8 tons, which also saw the largest decline of 23.1%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the highest increase of 46.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Cuba in kind, 2017-2020, t

Between 2017 and 2020, Canada, France, and the Netherlands were the primary markets for Cuba's capsicum and pimenta fruits exports in kind. Canada accounted for 41.6% of exports, France for 35.5%, and the Netherlands for 21.1%, together making up 98.1% of total export flows.

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

World map of product's exports from Cuba in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Capsicum and pimenta fruits exports from Cuba rose for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports were valued at 330.0 thousand US dollars, up 48.4% from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 62.5%, averaging an annual growth rate of 17.6%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 156.7 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 22.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Canada, France, and the Netherlands remained the top buyers of capsicum and pimenta fruits from Cuba in value terms. Canada held a 41.0% share, France 35.3%, and the Netherlands 22.0%, collectively accounting for 98.3% of total export value.

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

World map of product's exports from Cuba in value, 2017-2020

Imports capsicum and pimenta fruits to Cuba

Imports in kind, t

Import volumes of capsicum and pimenta fruits to Cuba showed significant volatility during this period. The lowest volume was in 2017, while the peak occurred in 2019, representing a 26-fold difference. In 2020, imports totaled 46.6 tons, a drop of 33.3% from the previous year. The maximum volume was recorded in 2019 at 69.8 tons, which also saw the largest increase of 1 670.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, nearly all capsicum and pimenta fruits imports to Cuba in kind came from Mexico, which accounted for 97.5% of total import flows.

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

Imports of capsicum and pimenta fruits to Cuba displayed an unstable trend over these years. The lowest value was in 2017, with the highest in 2019, showing a 39-fold gap. In 2020, imports amounted to 198.1 thousand US dollars, a steep decline of 27.8% compared to the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 274.3 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 1 524.8%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Mexico dominated capsicum and pimenta fruits imports to Cuba in value terms, consistently representing 98.1% of total import flows.

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

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