By Marc Frank
Cuba’s Sugar Industry Faces Record Low Production Amid Agriculture Decline
Cuba, once a major sugar producer, is expected to output just 300,000 metric tons of sugar in 2025, a drastic decline from its historical production levels. The country’s struggling agriculture sector is facing challenges in planting cane, leading to a significant decrease in sugar production.
Historically, sugar has been a key industry in Cuba, with numerous mills producing raw sugar for both domestic consumption and export. However, ongoing shortages of fuel, fertilizer, machinery, and labor have severely impacted the sugar industry, resulting in consecutive years of low output.
The production of sugar cane is primarily managed by state mills in Cuba’s Communist-run economy. This year, the country will see a record low of just 15 mills open for sugar production, down from 24 the previous year.
Vice President Salvador Valdes emphasized the importance of planting cane to ensure a successful harvest, but noted the decreasing availability of cane for production. Last season’s output was estimated at a record low of 300,000 metric tons of raw sugar, a figure comparable to production levels from the late 1800s.
With tough U.S. sanctions and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic causing economic challenges for Cuba, food production has declined significantly. In Las Tunas province, once a prominent sugar-producing region, the area planted with sugarcane has decreased by 48%.