Milk and cream market in Cuba, 2026

Earlier Report Observations

Cuba's market for non-concentrated, unsweetened milk and cream experienced a steep decline from 2018 to 2023, with production falling from 596 thousand tonnes to 237 thousand tonnes. This downward trend was already evident in the early part of the period, as output decreased each year without a single year of recovery.

A key regulatory shift occurred in 2021 when the government established new maximum prices for the state purchase of fresh milk from farmers, tying sales to the fulfillment of state plans. This pricing mechanism likely discouraged production, contributing to the continued drop in output. By 2022, official discussions highlighted the critical role of non-state producers, who own 80% of the cattle, and the persistent need to improve their access to credit, land, and basic inputs, underscoring structural bottlenecks that kept production depressed.

The market contraction accelerated sharply in 2023. The ongoing crisis was reflected in factors observed by 2024, including severe distribution limits for powdered milk, the establishment of price caps on essential goods to control inflation, and a growing informal market for milk due to official shortages. This environment also spurred an increase in the production of soybean-based substitutes, indicating deep-seated supply challenges within the dairy sector.

Production milk and cream in Cuba

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of milk and cream, 2017-2020

World map of production of milk and cream, 2017-2020

Cuba's milk and cream production declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 470.9 thousand tons, marking a 10.9% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 15.2%, with an average annual decline of 5.4%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 596.2 thousand tons, which represented a 7.3% increase that year. The most significant drop occurred in 2019, when production fell by 11.3%.

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

Exports milk and cream from Cuba

As highlighted in market analysis, Cuba did not export any milk or cream between 2017 and 2020.

Imports milk and cream to Cuba

Imports in kind, t

Cuba's imports of milk and cream decreased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports stood at 342.1 tons, showing a sharp decline of 38.2% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports fell by 22.9%, which translates to an average annual decrease of 8.3%. The peak import volume was recorded in 2018 at 699.6 tons, representing a 57.7% increase that year.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Mexico, Germany, and Spain remained the top suppliers of milk and cream to Cuba. Mexico accounted for 32.5% of imports by volume, Germany for 23.8%, and Spain for 21.6%. Together, these three countries represented 77.9% of Cuba's total milk and cream 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

The market exhibited volatility during the observed years. Imports reached their lowest point in 2020 and peaked in 2018, with a two-fold difference between these years. In 2020, the value of Cuba's milk and cream imports was 469.6 thousand US dollars, down 41.2% from the previous year. The highest import value was recorded in 2018 at 918.5 thousand US dollars, which marked a 73.2% increase that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Mexico, Germany, and Spain were the three main markets, collectively accounting for 77.0% of the total value of milk and cream imports to Cuba.

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

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