U.S.-Cuba Trade and Economic Council, Inc.
30 Rockefeller Plaza • New York, New York 10112-0002
Telephone (212) 246-1444 • Facsimile (212) 246-2345 • E-mail: council@cubatrade.org
Internet: http://www.cubatrade.org
ECONOMIC EYE ON CUBA©
November 2008
2008 U.S. EXPORT STATISTICS FOR CUBA
The following is the monthly data for exports from the United States to the Republic of Cuba relating to the Trade Sanctions Reform and Export Enhancement Act (TSRA) of 2000, which re-authorized the direct commercial (on a cash basis) export of food products (including branded food products) and agricultural products (commodities) from the United States to the Republic of Cuba, irrespective of purpose. The TSRA does not include healthcare products, which remain authorized by the Cuban Democracy Act (CDA) of 1992.
The following data represents the U.S. Dollar value of product exported from the United States to the Republic of Cuba under the auspice of TSRA. The data does not include transportation charges, bank charges, or other costs associated with exports from the United States to the Republic of Cuba. The government of the Republic of Cuba reports data that, according to the government of the Republic of Cuba, includes transportation charges, bank charges, and other costs. However, the government of the Republic of Cuba has not provided verifiable data. The use of trade data reported by the government of the Republic of Cuba is suspect. The government of the Republic of Cuba has been asked to provide verifiable data, but has chosen not to do so.
Reporting Year
U.S. Dollar Value Of TSRA-Authorized Exports
To Cuba
Ranking Based On Export Markets
2008
US$536,445,860.00
28th (of 227)
2007
US$437,564,824.00
37th (of 230)
2006
US$340,433,442.00
34th (of 227)
2005
US$350,218,040.00
30th (of 228)
2004
US$391,990,382.00
25th (of 228)
2003
US$256,901,471.00
35th (of 219)
2002
US$138,634,784.00
50th (of 226)
2001
US$4,318,906.00 (December)
144th (of 226)
Total TSRA Sales
US$2,532,572,530.00
The primary reason for the increase in U.S. Dollar value of purchases in 2007, and thus far in 2008, by the government of the Republic of Cuba from United States-based companies remains the increase in prices in for commodities purchased from the United States, rather than an increase in the quantity of the commodities.
The government of the Republic of Cuba reported spending US$1.47 billion in 2007 to import 3.423 million metric tons of food products and agricultural products. The government of the Republic of Cuba reports that it expects to import 3.423 metric tons of food products and agricultural products in 2008 at a cost US$2.554 billion.
There is no verifiable data to support that the government of the Republic of Cuba has substantially increased the quantity and U.S. Dollar value of food products and agricultural products imported from throughout the world for the 11.4 million citizens of the Republic of Cuba. There is no verifiable data to support that the necessity of a food product ration card, issued to each citizen to provide food for a thirty (30) day period is providing food products for more than fourteen (14) days. This, despite statements by representatives of the government of the Republic of Cuba that the economy of the country has increased substantially during the last several years, due, although not officially confirmed, primarily to the financial largess of government of Venezuela and the government of the People’s Republic of China.
In May 2007 and June 2007, representatives of Republic of Cuba government-operated Empresa Cubana Importadora Alimentos (Alimport), under the auspice of the Ministry of Foreign Trade of Cuba (MINCEX), informed representatives of United States-based companies that Alimport expected that the U.S. Dollar value of TSRA-authorized purchases from the United States in 2006 would exceed the U.S. Dollar value of TSRA-authorized purchases from the United States in 2006.
In January 2007, representatives of Alimport informed representatives of United States-based companies that Alimport would significantly reduce purchases from United States-based companies due to a lack of effort (and, presumably, success) by United States-based companies in obtaining changes to United States laws and United States regulations. Alimport has continued a policy, commenced in 2003, whereby Alimport decreases purchases from a United States-based company if Alimport perceives a lack of lobbying for changes in United States laws and United States regulations. Throughout 2005, representatives of Alimport reported that TSRA-authorized purchases by Alimport in 2005 would be substantially less than purchases in 2004. However, in November 2005, a representative of Alimport reported that purchases by Alimport in 2005 would at least equal, but were expected to exceed TSRA-authorized purchases by Alimport in 2004. However, the representative of Alimport reported that the purchase values included transportation charges, bank charges, finance charges, and other costs, all of which are not independently verifiable.
The reduction in exports from the United States to the Republic of Cuba during the period 2004 through 2007 has not been a result of changes in payment regulations implemented by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the United States Department of the Treasury in Washington, D.C.
2
The primary reasons for the reduction in exports to the Republic of Cuba are: 1) efforts by the government of the Republic of Cuba to increase the motivation of United States-based companies, organizations; state and local government representatives; and Members of the United States Congress to be more visible in their lobbying efforts for changes in United States policy, law, and regulations. 2) financial largess of the government of Venezuela lessens the interest of the government of the Republic of Cuba to purchase products from the United States, regardless of cost, quality, or delivery considerations. 3) financial largess of the government of the People’s Republic of China lessens the interest of the government of the Republic of Cuba to purchase products from the United States, regardless of cost, quality, or delivery considerations. 4) re-emergences and/or continuations of import relationships (barter, substantial credits, political motivation) with the governments of Brazil, Argentina, Vietnam, Mexico, Canada, and France amongst other countries.
Reporting Period
U.S. Dollar Value Of TSRA-Authorized Exports To Cuba
Ranking Based On Export Markets
January 2008
US$57,321,251.00
33rd (of 204)
February 2008
US$69,555,747.00
27th (of 212)
March 2008
US$45,275,885.00
38th (of 217)
April 2008
US$82,279,432.00
23rd (of 219)
May 2008
US$52,037,815.00
30th (of 221)
June 2008
US$49,242,432.00
35th (of 221)
July 2008
US$72,348,413.00
26th (of 225)
August 2008
US$43,573,083.00
44th (of 226)
September 2008
US$64,539,075.00
30th (of 227)
October 2008
November 2008
December 2008
Total 2008
US$536,445,860.00
Reporting Period
U.S. Dollar Value Of TSRA-Authorized Exports To Cuba
Ranking Based On Export Markets
January 2007
US$22,624,964.00
48th (of 205)
February 2007
US$21,611,894.00
42nd (of 214)
March 2007
US$20,465,738.00
48th (of 220)
April 2007
US$48,636,315.00
21st (of 221)
May 2007
US$28,241,608.00
36th (of 222)
June 2007
US$28,476,558.00
34th (of 223)
July 2007
US$37,693,945.00
26th (of 225)
August 2007
US$53,575,582.00
27th (of 225)
September 2007
US$31,101,146.00
45th (of 227)
October 2007
US$32,972,800.00
32nd (of 227)
November 2007
US$44,787,057.00
41st (of 228)
December 2007
US$68,376,902.00
26th (of 230)
Total 2007
US$437,564,824.00
Reporting Period
U.S. Dollar Value Of TSRA-Authorized Exports To Cuba
Ranking Based On Export Markets
January 2006
US$34,505,568.00
31st (of 208)
February 2006
US$28,933,586.00
30th (of 215)
March 2006
US$31,644,440.00
31st of (220)
April 2006
US$44,118,452.00
21st (of 222)
May 2006
US$17,789,430.00
45th (of 222)
June 2006
US$23,988,651.00
36th (of 224)
July 2006
US$33,317,752.00
25th (of 225)
August 2006
US$15,017,350.00
49th (of 225)
September 2006
US$28,270,030.00
32nd (of 226)
October 2006
US$23,886,530.00
43rd (of 226)
November 2006
US$35,539,495.00
34th (of 226)
December 2006
US$23,422,158.00
42nd (of 227)
Total 2006
US$340,433,442.00
34th (of 227)
Reporting Period
U.S. Dollar Value Of TSRA-Authorized Exports To Cuba
Ranking Based On Export Markets
January 2005
US$30,470,181.00
29th of 220
February 2005
US$21,773,284.00
44th of 226
March 2005
US$41,886,797.00
24th of 218
April 2005
US$37,239,436.00
23rd of 222
May 2005
US$24,877,297.00
28th of 223
June 2005
US$33,712,960.00
25th of 224
July 2005
US$20,835,533.00
36th of 224
August 2005
US$29,778,271.00
27th of 225
September 2005
US$20,446,734.00
35th of 228
October 2005
US$23,559,583.00
39th of 228
November 2005
US$33,410,516.00
30th of 228
December 2005
US$32,227,448.00
27th of 228
Total 2005
US$350,218,040.00
30th (of 228)
Reporting Period
U.S. Dollar Value Of TSRA-Authorized ExportsTo Cuba
Ranking Based On Export Markets
January 2004
US$30,280,169.00
29th (of 202)
February 2004
US$27,621,918.00
36th (of 214)
March 2004
US$60,459,205.00
17th (of 218)
April 2004
US$55,232,424.00
19th (of 222)
3
May 2004
US$33,202,590.00
24th (of 223)
June 2004
US$39,874,688.00
18th (of 225)
July 2004
US$30,695,375.00
25th (of 225)
August 2004
US$27,101,085.00
28th (of 226)
September 2004
US$10,242,033.00
53rd (of 228)
October 2004
US$19,402,481.00
41st (of 228)
November 2004
US$28,616,955.00
35th (of 228)
December 2004
US$29,261,459.00
30th (of 228)
Total 2004
US$391,990,382.00
25th (of 228)
Reporting Period
U.S. Dollar Value Of TSRA-Authorized ExportsTo Cuba
Ranking Based On Export Markets
December 2003
US$34,749,953.00
27th (of 224)
November 2003
US$36,785,979.00
27th (of 224)
October 2003
US$23,786,274.00
40th (of 223)
September 2003
US$22,427,963.00
33rd (of 223)
August 2003
US$13,503,804.00
49th (of 223)
July 2003
US$22,542,081.00
35th (of 220)
June 2003
US$13,036,149.00
41st (of 218)
May 2003
US$21,260,422.00
32nd (of 217)
April 2003
US$24,574,122.00
29th (of 216)
March 2003
US$17,508,552.00
38th (of 182)
February 2003
US$9,887,911.00
49th (of 206)
January 2003
US$16,839,261.00
40th (of 197)
Total 2003
US$256,901,471.00
35th (of 219)
Reporting Period
U.S. Dollar Value Of TSRA-Authorized Exports To Cuba
Ranking Based On Export Markets
December 2002
US$8,315,934.00
58th
November 2002
US$20,814,160.00
39th
October 2002
US$3,996,542.00
75th
September 2002
US$14,131,180.00
41st
August 2002
US$10,727,270.00
52nd
July 2002
US$8,480,416.00
57th
June 2002
US$17,943,951.00
41st
May 2002
US$5,910,431.00
55th
April 2002
US$17,770,491.00
32nd
March 2002
US$8,068,623.00
57th
February 2002
US$13,731,785.00
45th
January 2002
US$9,658,659.00
52nd
Total 2002
US$138,634,784.00
50th
Reporting Period
U.S. Dollar Value Of TSRA-Authorized Exports To Cuba
Ranking Based On Export Markets
December 2001
US$4,573,930.00
144th
Total 2001
US$4,573,930.00
144th
The following are the ten largest (U.S. Dollar value) agricultural product exports from the United States to the Republic of Cuba in 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, and 2001 under provisions of TSRA:
2007 Ranking
Product
U.S. Dollar Value
% Of Total U.S. Exports To Cuba
1
Corn
US$109,018,832.00
24.91%
2
Chicken
US$76,210,427.00
17.41%
3
Wheat
US$70,174,592.00
16.03%
4
Soybean Oil Cake
US$50,139,261.00
11.45%
5
Soybeans
US$40,515,036.00
9.25%
6
Rice
US$24,005,875.00
5.48%
7
Soybean Oil
US$20,073,745.00
4.58%
8
Wood Products
US$19,136,054.00
4.37%
9
Brewing/Distilling Dregs & Waste
US$13,578,899.00
3.10%
10
Pork Products
US$6,038,247.00
1.37%
Total Value Of 10 Largest Exports To Cuba
US$428,8090,968.00
Total U.S. Exports To Cuba In 2007
US$437,564,824.00
10 Largest As % Of 2007 Exports To Cuba
98%
2006 Ranking
Product
U.S. Dollar Value
% Of Total U.S. Exports To Cuba
1
Wheat
US$51,432,980.00
15.10%
2
Chicken
US$44,010,464.00
12.92%
3
Corn
US$42,624,103.00
12.52%
4
Rice
US$39,542,248.00
11.61%
5
Soybeans
US$31,741,801.00
9.32%
6
Soybean Oil Cake
US$26,671,694.00
7.83%
7
Soybean Oil
US$20,941,795.00
6.15%
8
Peas & Beans & Lentils
US$19,910,481.00
5.84%
9
Pork
US$12,588,072.00
3.69%
4
10
Powdered Milk
US$12,568,170.00
3.69%
Total Value Of 10 Largest Exports To Cuba
US$302,031,808.00
Total U.S. Exports To Cuba In 2006
US$340,433,442.00
10 Largest As % Of 2006 Exports To Cuba
88%
2005 Ranking
Product
U.S. Dollar Value
% Of Total U.S. Exports To Cuba
1
Chicken
US$60,045,359.00
17.14%
2
Corn
US$49,379,606.00
14.09%
3
Wheat
US$47,213,438.00
13.48%
4
Rice
US$39,209,646.00
11.10%
5
Soybeans
US$32,722,536.00
9.34%
6
Powdered Milk
US$29,584,712.00
8.44%
7
Soybean Oil
US$25,738,405.00
7.34%
8
Soybean Oil Cake
US$15,094,816.00
4.30%
9
Beans (pinto, lentil, kidney, green, yellow, etc.)
US$10,761,395.00
3.07%
10
Wood (poles, lumber)
US$5,212,556.00
1.48%
Total Value Of 10 Largest Exports To Cuba
US$330,057,285.00
Total U.S. Exports To Cuba In 2005
US$350,228,066.00
10 Largest As % Of 2005 Exports To Cuba
94%
2004 Ranking
Product
U.S. Dollar Value
% Of Total U.S. Exports To Cuba
1
Rice
US$64,042,268.00
16.33%
2
Corn
US$57,491,683.00
14.66%
3
Chicken
US$57,160,541.00
14.58%
4
Wheat
US$55,311,389.00
14.11%
5
Soybeans
US$27,932,531.00
7.12%
6
Powdered Milk
US$25,691,962.00
6.55%
7
Soybean Oil
US$23,322,765.00
5.94%
8
Soybean Flour
US$17,844,682.00
4.55%
9
Soybean Oil Cake
US$15,212,287.00
3.88%
10
Wheat-Flour-Soya Blends
US$6,610,470.00
1.68%
Total Value Of 10 Largest Exports To Cuba
US$350,620,578.00
Total U.S. Exports To Cuba In 2004
US$391,990,382.00
10 Largest As % Of 2004 Exports To Cuba
89.48%
2003 Ranking
Product
U.S. Dollar Value
% Of Total U.S. Exports To Cuba
1
Soybean Oil
US$50,824,529.00
19.78%
2
Poultry
US$37,205,568.00
14.48%
3
Wheat
US$36,675,608.00
14.27%
4
Corn
US$35,571,041.00
13.84%
5
Soybeans
US$34,475,209.00
13.41%
6
Soybean Oil Cake
US$21,473,027.00
8.35%
7
Rice
US$10,778,311.00
4.19%
8
Wheat Flour Soy Blends
US$8,982,871.00
3.49%
9
Newsprint
US$4,440,255.00
1.78%
10
Soybean Flour
US$3,808,375.00
1.48%
Total Value Of 10 Largest Exports To Cuba
US$244,234,794.00
Total U.S. Exports To Cuba In 2003
US$256,901,471.00
10 Largest As % Of 2003 Exports To Cuba
95.37%
2002 Ranking
Product
U.S. Dollar Value
% Of Total U.S. Exports To Cuba
1
Wheat
US$22,788,519.00
16.43%
2
Corn
US$22,738,930.00
16.40%
3
Poultry
US$21,632,287.00
15.60%
4
Soybean Oil
US$21,438,199.00
15.46%
5
Soybeans
US$20,922,283.00
15.09%
6
Soybean Oil Cake
US$19,281,467.00
13.90%
7
Rice
US$6,266,281.00
4.51%
8
Calcium Hydrogenorthophosphate
US$1,000,725.00
.721%
9
Eggs
US$766,559.00
.552%
10
Lard
US$428,000.00
.308%
Total Value Of 10 Largest Exports To Cuba
US$137,263,250.00
Total U.S. Exports To Cuba In 2002
US$138,634,784.00
10 Largest As % Of 2002 Exports To Cuba
99.11%
2001 Ranking
Product
U.S. Dollar Value
% Of Total U.S. Exports To Cuba
1
Corn
US$2,327,201.00
53.88%
2
Poultry
US$1,703,610.00
39.44%
Total U.S. Exports To Cuba In 2001
US$4,318,906.00
100%