This past Wednesday, Cuba's Council of Ministers released an updated version of Decree 143, which governs the wholesale and retail trade of agricultural and forestry products on the island. This regulation outlines the procedures from harvest to storage and final distribution.
The revised decree was featured in the Special Edition No. 16 of the Official Gazette for 2026, published on September 23. This update aligns with the mandate specified in the Third Final Provision of Decree 161, endorsed on July 23, 2026, and later published in the Regular Gazette No. 75 on September 9, 2026.
Originally introduced on December 30, 2025, and signed by Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz, Decree 143 first appeared in the Regular Official Gazette No. 33 on April 9, 2026. The latest special edition incorporates changes brought by Decree 161, spanning pages two to 16 of the gazette.
According to its first article, the decree aims to "set regulations for the wholesale and retail marketing of agricultural and forestry products, its principles, the participants involved, their roles and responsibilities, as well as the infractions and penalties for violations."
The regulation targets a wide range of participants: state entities, state-owned micro, small, and medium enterprises, private and mixed companies, agricultural and non-agricultural cooperatives, self-employed individuals, legitimate landowners, and agricultural and forestry producers.
Key Objectives and New Market Initiatives
Key objectives include streamlining the sale processes for varied destinations, supporting this with a value chain approach, and encouraging production and storage. The decree also calls for the setup of public procurement committees to supply social consumption needs "using tenders and establishing a supplier evaluation system," along with the creation of new market types "that offer a fresh image, cleanliness, organization, variety of offers, and services."
Food Safety and Financial Regulations
In terms of food safety, the decree mandates "ensuring best practices for quality and food safety management, as well as preventing and reducing food loss and waste with a focus on circular economy and 'One Health' approach."
All entities involved in the sale of these products must use designated fiscal bank accounts for all transactions, ensuring all earnings and payments are processed through these channels.
Repeals and Legal Foundations
Decree 143 repealed Decree 35 of 2021, which governed agricultural marketing under a more centralized state model, and Decree 71 of 2022 regarding price decentralization for collection. The decree is founded on Law 148, the "Law of Food Sovereignty and Nutritional Security," from May 2022, and is further supported by the Resolution 16 of 2026 from the Ministry of Agriculture, which provides its implementation guidelines.
The amendments introduced by Decree 161 of 2026 include setting prices through mutual agreements between contractual parties and introducing differentiated pricing for certified organic products and those endorsed by the Participative Agroecological Guarantee System.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cuba's Agricultural Trade Regulations
What are the key objectives of Cuba's Decree 143?
The main goals are to streamline the marketing process for various destinations, sustain this with a value chain approach, and boost production and collection efforts.
Who is affected by the new regulations under Decree 143?
The regulations apply to state entities, state-owned micro, small, and medium enterprises, private and mixed firms, cooperatives, self-employed individuals, landowners, and agricultural and forestry producers.
What changes were introduced by Decree 161 in 2026?
Decree 161 introduced price setting through mutual agreements between parties and differentiated pricing for certified organic products and those validated by the Participative Agroecological Guarantee System.