Coffee, husks, skins and substitutes market in Cuba

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the Cuban coffee market volume contracted from 17 424 metric tons to 11 475 metric tons. Recurring climate issues, including storms, cyclones, and pests, damaged harvests and constrained local production. In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted supply chains and reduced economic activity, while new rules for industrial food and beverage production required mandatory registration for processors, creating additional administrative hurdles.

In 2021, the market recovered to 13 768 metric tons after the government updated purchase prices for arabica coffee cherry for industry and export and introduced more flexible measures for agricultural trade, stimulating production and imports. However, in 2022, rising international input prices increased production costs, and supplementary norms to the State Budget Law affected pricing, leading to a drop in production to 6 252 metric tons and a reduction in market size to 10 855 metric tons.

In 2023, market volume rebounded to 11 603 metric tons, partly due to tariff benefits for importing production inputs, which eased raw material access, and an increase in specialty coffee exports, indicating a shift toward higher-quality output. For 2024, new regulations such as Resolution 275/2024 tightened control over agricultural trade, setting strict rules for contracting, price setting, and priorities for tourism and social consumption, while the launch of five new specialty coffee varieties for export continued the strategy of focusing on the premium segment.

Production coffee, husks, skins and substitutes in Cuba

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of coffee, husks, skins and substitutes, 2017-2020

World map of production of coffee, husks, skins and substitutes, 2017-2020

Cuba's production of coffee, husks, skins, and substitutes saw a decline after two years of growth. In 2020, the country produced 7 500 tonnes, marking a 3.8% decrease from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 10.6%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 3.4%. The highest production volume was recorded in 2019 at 7 800 tonnes, while the most significant year-on-year increase occurred in 2018 with a 13.3% rise.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2020, the value of Cuba's coffee, husks, skins, and substitutes output was 37 716 thousand US dollars, down 9.5% compared to the year before. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value increased by 4.1%, averaging 1.4% growth per year. The lowest value was in 2018 at 34 699 thousand US dollars, while the peak was in 2019 at 41 678 thousand US dollars. The largest annual increase happened in 2019 with a 20.1% jump.

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

Exports coffee, husks, skins and substitutes from Cuba

Exports in kind, t

Cuba's exports of coffee, husks, skins, and substitutes reached 1 359 tonnes in 2020, up 43.2% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 38.2%, equivalent to an average annual rate of 11.4%. The lowest export volume was in 2019 at 949 tonnes, which also saw the steepest decline of 29.5% that year.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Belgium, Germany, and Canada were the top markets for Cuba's exports in kind. Belgium accounted for 40.8% of exports, Germany for 15.5%, and Canada for 10.6%. Together, these three countries represented 67.0% 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

In 2020, Cuba exported coffee, husks, skins, and substitutes worth 6 832 thousand US dollars, a 34.8% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value rose by 30.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 9.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 5 070 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 16.6% that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Belgium, Japan, and Germany were the leading buyers of Cuba's coffee, husks, skins, and substitutes in value terms. Belgium held a 36.8% share, Japan 17.5%, and Germany 13.8%. Combined, these three countries made up 68.1% 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 coffee, husks, skins and substitutes to Cuba

Imports in kind, t

Cuba's imports of coffee, husks, skins, and substitutes fell for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports totaled 5 333 tonnes, a sharp 24.8% drop from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 32.1%, averaging a 12.1% annual decline. The highest import volume was in 2018 at 11 089 tonnes. The largest decrease occurred in 2019 with a 36.0% fall, while the biggest increase was in 2018 with a 41.1% rise.

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

During 2017-2020, Mexico, Vietnam, and Brazil were the main sources of Cuba's imports in kind. Mexico accounted for 41.2% of imports, Vietnam for 26.0%, and Brazil for 23.1%. Together, these three countries supplied 90.3% of total import volume.

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

Cuba's imports of coffee, husks, skins, and substitutes in value terms declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 15 337 thousand US dollars, down 17.6% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value fell by 39.5%, with a compound annual decline rate of 15.4%. The peak value was in 2018 at 33 156 thousand US dollars. The steepest drop was in 2019 with a 43.9% decrease, while the largest increase was in 2018 with a 30.7% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Mexico, Vietnam, and Brazil consistently led as the top sources for Cuba's imports in value terms. Mexico represented 39.0% of imports, Vietnam 24.3%, and Brazil 21.7%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 85.0% of total import value.

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

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