AREQUIPA, Peru – Chicken meat exports from the United States to Cuba reached some 146,000 tons between January and July 2024, according to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
The figure, cited in a thread of X (formerly Twitter) by economist Pedro Monreal, represents the approximate equivalent of 5,840 containers and, at the same time, is less than that of the same period in 2023.
“But the value was 2.5% higher, indicating an increase in price,” says the analyst.
Regarding monthly exports, the number decreased by 7.5% in July 2024 and registered a 6.7% reduction in value. The price of 1.24 USD per kilogram (kg) of chicken was slightly higher than that of June (1.23USD/Kg), a FOB value (free on board at port of shipment).
In his analysis, Monreal points out that US chicken meat exports the source of animal protein of greater consumption in Cuba and compensate for the acute national agricultural crisis that exists on the Island.
“The lower level of tons of chicken meat exported to Cuba in January-July 2024 compared to 2023 indicates a situation of food insecurity in a context of an agricultural crisis that the government is unable to resolve,” says the economist.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture figures include all chicken meat exports to Cuba contracted for sale by all types of entities (state, cooperatives and MSMEs), he added.
Pedro Monreal has drawn attention on several occasions to the import dependency resulting from the policies of the Cuban regimea harmful trend that does not encourage food producers in the Caribbean country.
Chicken is a staple food on the island, one that is in short supply even in the rationed quantities that the Cuban regime sells to the population, forcing Cubans to buy the product at a high price on the informal market.
