Citrus fruit market in Cuba

Earlier Report Observations

Cuba's citrus fruit market volume contracted sharply from over 147 thousand tons in 2018 to 42 thousand tons by 2023. This prolonged decline was primarily driven by the devastating impact of Huanglongbing (HLB) disease, also known as citrus greening, which damaged orchards and reduced yields year after year. The persistent U.S. economic blockade compounded the problem by severely limiting access to essential agricultural inputs like fertilizers and pesticides, crippling production capacity.

The market downturn was further exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, which disrupted supply chains and reduced demand from the vital tourism sector. Concurrently, agricultural policy increasingly encouraged diversification into other fruits such as mango, guava, and papaya to meet domestic and tourist demand, which likely diverted resources and focus away from citrus cultivation. High international prices for food and fuel from 2022 onward raised production costs, while a general economic contraction in 2023 weakened investment in the sector.

Throughout this period, the state-owned Grupo Empresarial Frutícola (GEF) remained the key entity overseeing the citrus agroindustry. Government efforts included implementing integrated farm development projects and adjusting market policies to promote processed citrus products, but these measures could not offset the fundamental challenges of disease and input scarcity that defined the market's trajectory.

Production citrus fruit in Cuba

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of citrus fruit, 2017-2020

World map of production of citrus fruit, 2017-2020

Cuba's citrus fruit production has declined for three consecutive years. In 2020, production reached 92.6 thousand tons, marking a sharp year-over-year decrease of 36.8%. Between 2017 and 2020, production fell by 54.3%, which translates to an average annual decline of 23.0%.

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

Exports citrus fruit from Cuba

Exports in kind, t

The export market showed volatility during this period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2020 at 3.6 tons, after peaking in 2018 at 393.9 tons, representing a 109-fold difference between these years. In 2020, exports dropped sharply by 96.8% compared to the previous year. The largest annual increase occurred in 2018, with a growth of 15.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France was the primary destination for Cuba's citrus fruit exports, accounting for 87.2% of total export volumes. Other markets contributed smaller shares, forming a long tail of minor partners.

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

Export values experienced noticeable fluctuations. The lowest point was in 2020 at 3.3 thousand US dollars, following a peak in 2018 of 172.1 thousand US dollars, with a 53-fold gap between these years. In 2020, export value fell sharply by 95.9% compared to 2019. The largest annual increase was recorded in 2018, at 38.0%.

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

During 2017–2020, France led in export value terms, representing 81.2% of Cuba's total citrus fruit export flows. The remaining share was distributed among other trading partners.

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

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

Imports citrus fruit to Cuba

Imports in kind, t

Import volumes showed an unstable trend. The lowest point was in 2017, rising to a peak in 2019, with a 4.5-fold variation between these years. In 2020, imports totaled 72.9 tons, a decrease of 66.5% compared to 2019. The maximum import volume was recorded in 2019 at 217.3 tons, with the largest annual increase that year of 202.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Colombia and Chile dominated Cuba's citrus fruit imports in volume terms, together accounting for 99.9% 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

Import values were volatile during this period. The lowest point was in 2017, increasing to a peak in 2019, with a 3.4-fold change between these years. In 2020, import value reached 137.2 thousand US dollars, down 61.9% from the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 360.1 thousand US dollars, with the largest annual increase that year of 163.5%.

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

Over 2017–2020, Colombia and Chile were the main suppliers of citrus fruit to Cuba in value terms, together representing 98.6% of total imports. Other sources each accounted for relatively small shares.

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

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