Unroasted, not decaffeinated coffee market in Cuba

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the market volume for unroasted coffee in Cuba contracted significantly, falling from over 17 000 t to 11 066 t. This decline was driven by chronic underproduction rooted in structural issues: the government's low purchase prices disincentivized local growers, while the U.S. embargo and underinvestment in agriculture—less than 3% of total investment—constrained the supply chain. Domestic output remained far below internal demand, leading to widespread scarcity and higher prices on the informal market.

The market saw a temporary rebound in 2021 to 13 475 t, coinciding with the launch of the international Slow Food Coffee Coalition initiative, which aimed to unite supply chain actors for more sustainable production. However, the sector's strong export orientation for high-quality beans, evident with the introduction of five specialty brands for international sale in 2022, coupled with ongoing pressures from pests, cyclones, and climate change, limited domestic availability. A major investment program, Prodecafé, began in 2022 with $42.5 million to boost productivity, yet market volume fell again to around 10 300 t that year.

In the latter part of the period, market volume stabilized just above 10 000 t. The export focus intensified with the 2024 launch of the Segrá brand by the state processor Empresa Procesadora de Café «Asdrúbal López» for the international market. State-owned BioCubaCafé S.A. led efforts to position Cuban coffee abroad. Nonetheless, persistent structural challenges—low investment, outdated technology, and climate vulnerabilities—continued to restrict local supply, keeping the market dependent on imports to meet internal consumption.

Production unroasted, not decaffeinated coffee in Cuba

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of unroasted, not decaffeinated coffee, 2017-2020

World map of production of unroasted, not decaffeinated coffee, 2017-2020

Cuba's production of unroasted, non-decaffeinated coffee declined after two consecutive years of growth. In 2020, the country produced 7 500 tonnes, marking a modest decrease of 3.8% from the previous year. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production actually rose by 10.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.4%. The highest output was recorded in 2019 at 7 800 tonnes, while the most significant year-on-year increase occurred in 2018, when production jumped by 13.3%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2020, the value of Cuba's unroasted, non-decaffeinated coffee production stood at 36 560 thousand US dollars, down 11.5% from the year before. Over the 2017-2020 period, however, production value increased by 3.9%, translating to an average annual growth rate of 1.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 33 577 thousand US dollars, while the peak came in 2019 at 41 299 thousand US dollars. The largest annual increase occurred in 2019, with a 23.0% rise.

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

Exports unroasted, not decaffeinated coffee from Cuba

Exports in kind, t

Cuba's exports of unroasted, non-decaffeinated coffee reached 1 206 tonnes in 2020, representing a substantial increase of 45.6% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 63.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 17.8%. The most significant decline was recorded in 2019, when exports fell by 31.0%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018, with a jump of 62.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Belgium, Germany, and Japan were the primary destinations for Cuba's unroasted, non-decaffeinated coffee exports by volume. Belgium accounted for 47.7% of exports, Germany for 17.2%, and Japan for 11.6%. Together, these three countries absorbed 76.4% of Cuba's total exports in this category.

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, the value of Cuba's unroasted, non-decaffeinated coffee exports totaled 5 879 thousand US dollars, showing a 34.1% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value rose by 53.4%, equivalent to an average annual growth rate of 15.3%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019, with a 16.4% drop, while the most significant increase occurred in 2018, with a 36.9% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Belgium, Japan, and Germany were the key markets for Cuba's unroasted, non-decaffeinated coffee exports by value. Belgium represented 44.2% of export value, Japan 21.1%, and Germany 15.4%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 80.6% of Cuba's total export flows in this category.

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

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

Imports unroasted, not decaffeinated coffee to Cuba

Imports in kind, t

Cuba's imports of unroasted, non-decaffeinated coffee declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, import volume amounted to 4 772 tonnes, reflecting a sharp reduction of 32.0% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 33.7%, with an average annual decline of 12.8%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 10 859 tonnes. The largest year-on-year decline occurred in 2019, with a 35.4% drop, while the most significant increase was in 2018, with a 50.8% rise.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, Mexico, Vietnam, and Brazil were the main sources of Cuba's unroasted, non-decaffeinated coffee imports by volume. Mexico supplied 43.2% of imports, Vietnam 27.3%, and Brazil 24.3%. Together, these three countries represented 94.8% of Cuba's total import flows in this category.

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 unroasted, non-decaffeinated coffee fell for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports were valued at 11 916 thousand US dollars, indicating an abrupt reduction of 33.4% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, import value decreased by 45.1%, equating to an average annual decline of 18.1%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 31 693 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a 43.5% drop, while the most significant increase was in 2018, with a 46.0% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Mexico, Vietnam, and Brazil remained the key partners for Cuba's unroasted, non-decaffeinated coffee imports by value. Mexico accounted for 43.1% of import value, Vietnam for 27.0%, and Brazil for 24.2%. Collectively, these three countries made up 94.2% of Cuba's total import flows in this category.

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

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