In the first two months of 2026, U.S. rice exports to Cuba skyrocketed, totaling nearly five million dollars, based on data from US-Cuba Trade shared by Peter Bachmann, president of USA Rice.
During January, American rice sales to Cuba surpassed two million dollars, accounting for 5.8% of the U.S.'s overall agricultural exports to the island that month. February saw sales reaching roughly 1.9 million dollars, making rice the fourth most sold food item to Cuba, as reported by Directorio Cubano.
This increase is notable compared to the mere 10 million dollars in total rice exports during the entire fiscal year of 2025, which already marked a 437% rise from the previous year, according to the same trade records.
The rise in rice exports comes amid a significant decline in Cuba's rice production. The country's output plummeted from 304,000 tons in 2018 to just 27,326 tons by 2023. Although there was a slight recovery to about 80,000 tons in 2024, it still meets less than 15% of the estimated domestic demand of 600,000 tons annually.
Official statistics acknowledge a roughly 40% drop in production, leading to increased reliance on imports and prompting the Cuban government to allocate over 300 million dollars in 2024 for foreign rice purchases, exceeding 400,000 imported tons that year.
Vietnam remains Cuba's primary rice supplier, accounting for over 70% of imports, followed by Brazil, Guyana, and Colombia. Additionally, Cuba receives rice donations; South Korea provided 24,600 tons in December 2025 through the World Food Program, and China has pledged 90,000 tons in multiple shipments, with 15,600 tons arriving at Havana's port on March 26.
Against this backdrop of chronic scarcity, the growth of Cuba's private sector has created opportunities for new trade operations with U.S. companies, which function under legal frameworks that permit cash-paid agricultural exports.
Total U.S. agricultural exports to Cuba hit a record 476.1 million dollars in fiscal year 2025, up 19.4% from 2024.
Nevertheless, trade encounters structural obstacles. "Cuban importers typically must pay cash in advance, as access to short-term credit is limited," explained Bachmann.
These challenges are further compounded by embargo restrictions and internal barriers like state control over key sectors. In December 2025, Cuban Vice President Salvador Valdés Mesa admitted that the state lacks resources to boost rice production and suggested the private sector should finance the necessary machinery, acknowledging that "we cannot achieve this in the short term."
The U.S. agricultural sector sees potential for increased sales if credit facilities are eased and private investment in Cuba is allowed. Bachmann noted that other products, such as dairy and vegetables, might follow rice's path in the coming months.
Since 2001, cumulative U.S. agricultural exports to Cuba under current legislation have exceeded 8 billion dollars, positioning the recent surge in rice exports as part of a long-term trade trend accelerated by the island's production crisis.
Frequently Asked Questions About U.S. Rice Exports to Cuba
Why have U.S. rice exports to Cuba increased significantly?
The increase is largely due to the severe decline in Cuba's domestic rice production, coupled with opportunities created by the growth of the Cuban private sector, allowing for new trade operations with U.S. companies.
What challenges do U.S. exporters face when trading with Cuba?
U.S. exporters face challenges such as the need for Cuban importers to pay cash in advance due to limited access to short-term credit, as well as embargo restrictions and internal state control of key sectors.
What other products from the U.S. are likely to see increased exports to Cuba?
Products such as dairy and vegetables are expected to follow the trend of increased exports to Cuba, similar to what has been seen with rice.