Between January and May 2025, the Cuban government allocated over $204.9 million for importing food and agricultural products from the United States. According to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, this marks a 16.6% increase compared to the same period the previous year, which saw purchases totaling $175.7 million.
Specifically, in May alone, imports reached $37.2 million, surpassing the $34.6 million recorded in May 2024 and the $25.5 million in May 2023. In April, the import figure stood at $37.8 million. Leading the list of imported goods, as usual, was chicken meat, accounting for $15.7 million—or 42.4%—of the monthly total.
Chicken imports from the U.S. have become the primary source of meat protein for the island. In January, chicken sales to Cuba increased by 21% in value and 27.6% in volume compared to December 2024. The average price of chicken exported to Cuba was $1.28 per kilogram in January 2025, slightly below the previous month's value.
While the government remains the main purchaser, micro, small, and medium enterprises (MIPYMES) have emerged as significant players in these transactions, reflecting internal shifts in Cuba's foreign trade. One notable highlight in May was the unprecedented purchase of powdered milk worth $7,357,388. Other imports included sanitary products valued at $52,281, $1.1 million in rice, $3.8 million in pork, and nearly $480,000 in coffee. These goods, once produced locally, now underscore the nation's growing food dependency.
The Cuba-U.S. Economic and Trade Council also reported motorcycle sales worth $1.35 million and humanitarian donations amounting to $10.7 million. Additionally, there is a noticeable rise in the acquisition of new and used vehicles, including trucks, motorcycles, mopeds, and their parts. Between January 2023 and May 2025, Cuba spent over $115 million in this sector: $67.2 million in 2024, $10.5 million in 2023, and more than $20.5 million in just the first five months of 2025.
All these transactions occur under the Trade Sanctions Reform and Export Enhancement Act (TSREEA) of 2000, which permits agricultural and humanitarian sales to the island. Since its implementation in December 2001, Cuba has spent more than $7.885 billion on food imports from the United States.
Despite these substantial purchases, the Cuban regime continues to blame the U.S. embargo for the shortage of basic goods, failing to acknowledge the actual volume of imports allowed under legal exceptions.
Understanding Cuba's Food Import Dynamics
Why has Cuba increased its food imports from the U.S.?
Cuba has increased its food imports from the U.S. due to a combination of factors, including internal production challenges and a growing dependency on foreign food sources to meet domestic demand.
What products are primarily imported from the United States to Cuba?
The primary products imported from the United States to Cuba include chicken meat, powdered milk, rice, pork, and coffee, among other agricultural and food products.
How does the Trade Sanctions Reform and Export Enhancement Act affect Cuban imports?
The Trade Sanctions Reform and Export Enhancement Act allows for the sale of agricultural and humanitarian goods to Cuba, enabling the island to import significant amounts of food despite the broader U.S. embargo.