Milk market in Cuba

Earlier Report Observations

The volume of Cuba's milk market fell steadily from 637 thousand tons in 2018 to 249 thousand tons in 2023. This contraction stemmed from deep-rooted issues in livestock farming, where inadequate cattle feeding and water shortages reduced milk yields per animal. Simultaneously, the state's low purchase prices for milk discouraged farmers from selling to the official collection system, diverting supply to the informal market and depressing recorded production.

External shocks intensified the decline. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 weakened the economy and hampered import capacity, affecting both domestic inputs and supplies of imported powdered milk. Persistent logistical and financial hurdles, compounded by the US embargo, further constrained powder milk imports—a critical supplement for the market. Severe droughts in 2022 exacerbated forage shortages, driving production to a multi-decade low.

A steep drop in 2023 was triggered by widespread cattle deaths from malnutrition and theft, which sharply reduced the productive herd. In response, by 2024 the government raised the state milk purchase price to 38 Cuban pesos per liter and imposed price caps on basic goods like powdered milk. Distribution of subsidized powdered milk for children began with support from the UN World Food Programme, but high inflation exceeding 400% and enduring structural deficits in cattle rearing continued to challenge market recovery.

Production milk in Cuba

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of milk, 2017-2020

World map of production of milk, 2017-2020

Cuba's milk production has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 459.1 thousand tons of milk, representing an 11.3% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 15.2%, with an average annual decline of 5.3%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 581.9 thousand tons, which also saw the largest annual increase of 7.5%.

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

Exports milk from Cuba

Exports in kind, t

In 2019, Cuba exported 2 tons of milk, showing no change from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2019, exports plummeted by 99.2%, equivalent to an annualized decline of 80.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Ireland was the dominant buyer of Cuban milk, accounting for 99.1% of total exports in volume.

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, M $ US

In 2019, Cuba's milk exports were valued at 0.0 million US dollars, remaining nearly unchanged from the year before. Between 2017 and 2019, export value dropped by 100%, corresponding to an annualized decrease of 94.3%.

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

During 2017–2020, the export structure in value terms was highly concentrated, with Ireland alone responsible for 99.8% of total flows.

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

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

Imports milk to Cuba

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Cuba imported 47 847 tons of milk, a significant decline of 17.3% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 21%, with an annualized rate of 7.6%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, at 4.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, New Zealand (21.8% of import volume), Uruguay (16.5%), and the Netherlands (11.8%) were the main sources for Cuba's milk imports, together making up 50.1% of total 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, M $ US

In 2020, Cuba's milk imports were valued at 159.2 million US dollars, showing a modest reduction of 3.5% from the previous year. Over the 2017–2020 period, import value fell by 11.5%, with an average annual decline of 4.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 156.9 million US dollars, which also saw the largest annual decrease of 12.8%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, at 5.2%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, New Zealand (24.2% of import value), Uruguay (18.3%), and the Netherlands (11.6%) played leading roles in Cuba's milk imports by value, jointly accounting for 54.1% of total flows.

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

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