Raw cane or beet sugar in solid form market in Cuba

Earlier Report Observations

The Cuban sugar market volume fell from 658 thousand tons in 2018 to 269 thousand tons in 2023, driven by a structural crisis in the sugar industry where the state-owned Grupo Azucarero Azcuba faced obsolete machinery, chronic underinvestment, and a loss of skilled personnel. The U.S. economic blockade and the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the situation by disrupting supply chains and constraining export operations.

In response, the government implemented measures such as a four-fold increase in the sugarcane purchase price in 2023 and updated regulations to encourage new economic actors. However, these steps failed to offset the deep-seated problems, and production continued to decline. The expansion of small and medium-sized enterprises in adjacent segments did not translate into higher output in the state sugar sector, which received only 0.5% of total investments.

By 2024, the crisis deepened: the 2023-2024 sugar harvest was the worst in over a century with production of about 160 thousand tons, and only six of fourteen planned sugar mills remained operational. New customs and tax regulations introduced in 2024, including duty exemptions for imports of production materials, aimed to support non-state actors, but shortages of inputs and fuel persisted.

Production raw cane or beet sugar in solid form in Cuba

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form, 2017-2020

World map of production of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form, 2017-2020

Cuba's production of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 1 110 K t, which represents an 8.4% decrease compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 29.8%, with an average annual decline of 11.1%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Cuba's production of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 317.7 M $ US, down by 6.8% from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 51.2%, with an average annual decline of 21.3%.

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

Exports raw cane or beet sugar in solid form from Cuba

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Cuba's exports of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form reached 581 K t, showing a significant decline of 21.2% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 48.8%, with an average annual decline of 20.0%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 575 K t. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with a drop of 49.4%, while the largest increase was in 2019, with a rise of 28.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China, Portugal, and Lebanon were the main buyers of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form from Cuba. China accounted for 55.4% of exports in kind, Portugal for 9.7%, and Lebanon for 4.0%. Together, these three countries represented 69.2% of Cuba's total exports in kind during this period.

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 2020, Cuba's exports of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form were valued at 166.4 M $ US, marking a 19.9% decrease compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 64.4%, with an average annual decline of 29.1%. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 61.6%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 with a rise of 15.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China, Portugal, and Lebanon were the key destinations for Cuba's exports of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form in value terms. China accounted for 56.0% of exports, Portugal for 7.7%, and Lebanon for 4.4%. Collectively, these three markets represented 68.2% of total export 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 raw cane or beet sugar in solid form to Cuba

Imports in kind, K t

Import volumes showed significant volatility during this period. In 2019, Cuba's imports of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form stood at 0.0 K t, reflecting a sharp drop of 99.1% from 2018. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 0.0 K t. From the low in 2019 to the high in 2018, import volumes varied by 113 times. The largest increase occurred in 2018, with a rise of 2 463.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States dominated Cuba's imports of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form in kind, accounting for 94.8% 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, M $ US

Import values exhibited an unstable trend during this timeframe. In 2019, Cuba's imports of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form were valued at 0.0 M $ US, representing a 91.0% decrease compared to the previous year. The highest import value was recorded in 2018 at 0.0 M $ US. From the low in 2017 to the high in 2018, import volumes varied by 22 times. The largest increase occurred in 2018, with a rise of 2 129.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States was the dominant partner for Cuba's imports of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form in value terms, with a share of 86.6% of total flows. Other markets contributed to the remaining portion.

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

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