{"id":2440987,"date":"2025-05-30T13:23:09","date_gmt":"2025-05-30T17:23:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/historic-sugar-shortage-in-cuba-threatens-worldwide-rum-supply\/"},"modified":"2025-05-30T13:28:39","modified_gmt":"2025-05-30T17:28:39","slug":"historic-sugar-shortage-in-cuba-threatens-worldwide-rum-supply","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/historic-sugar-shortage-in-cuba-threatens-worldwide-rum-supply\/","title":{"rendered":"Historic sugar shortage in Cuba threatens worldwide rum supply"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">18<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fhistoric-sugar-shortage-in-cuba-threatens-worldwide-rum-supply%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2440987&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Cuba is currently experiencing a historic sugar shortage, which poses a critically important threat to its renowned rum industry. The country&#8217;s sugar production is projected to fall below 200,000 metric tons this year, a sharp decline from the already insufficient 350,000 tons produced in 2023. This shortage is attributed to a deteriorating agricultural infrastructure, worsened by economic challenges such as power outages, equipment issues, and fuel shortages. <\/p>\n<p>The state-run sugar monopoly, AZCUBA, had anticipated a production of at least 265,000 tons, but the actual output has been disappointingly low. The decline in sugar production directly impacts Cuba&#8217;s rum exports, as rum typically ages for multiple years.If these trends continue, the future of the rum industry-which is crucial to Cuba&#8217;s economy-looks grim.Additionally,ongoing U.S. sanctions and the Cuban government&#8217;s emphasis on economic independence complicate the situation further, as producers are restricted from importing essential raw materials. The outlook remains uncertain unless significant diplomatic and economic changes occur.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Historic sugar shortage in Cuba threatens worldwide rum supply<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2042615\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/alcohol\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Cocktail connoisseurs<\/a> around the world may soon be asking where the rum has gone as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/cuba\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Cuba<\/a> faces one of its worst sugar harvests since the 19th century.<\/p>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/whale-wars-star-detained-faces-extradition-to-japan-over-violence-against-whaling-fleet\/\" title=\"\u2018Whale Wars\u2019 Star Detained, Faces Extradition to Japan over Violence Against Whaling Fleet\">island nation&#038;rsquo<\/a>;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/sugar-industry\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">sugar production<\/a> is expected to fall short of 200,000 metric tons this year, a far cry from the already underwhelming 350,000 tons produced in 2023.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/3426425\/dozens-dead-nigeria-flood-market-town\/\">At least 88 people dead after <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >floods submerge market town<\/a> in Nigeria<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/3426382\/u-s-india-forum-feature-usha-vance-howard-lutnick\/\">U.S.-India Strategic Partnership Forum to feature Usha Vance and Howard Lutnick<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/3425232\/palestinian-mobs-raid-foot-storage-collapse-hamas-power-gaza-strip\/\">Palestinian mobs raiding food storages show collapse of Hamas power in Gaza<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>Cuba&rsquo;s beloved rum industry, perhaps the nation&rsquo;s most reliable and valuable part of its economic engine, is directly threatened by the paltry output.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-full is-resized\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Farmers use machetes to weed a sugar cane field in Madruga, Cuba, on April 29, 2021. (AP Photo\/Ramon Espinosa)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/communism\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">communist government&rsquo;s<\/a> state-run sugar monopoly, AZCUBA, had been hoping for at least 265,000 tons for use in the milling season.<\/p>\n<p>The disastrously disappointing crop is further complicated by national regulations that discourage or outright ban Cuban producers from importing raw materials.<\/p>\n<p>The island nation has pursued total economic independence since its communist revolution established the current state in 1959. Sugar was a cornerstone of its strategy, and over 100 processing facilities were activated to jump-start production.<\/p>\n<p>Half a million volunteers contributed to a historic 1970 harvest that raked in over 8 million metric tons of sugar. Production has steadily decreased since then and has dramatically fallen off since 2019, when over 1 million tons were still being produced annually.<\/p>\n<p>The causes of the shortage are numerous. The industry&rsquo;s infrastructure is collapsing due to a wider economic downturn in the country, including power outages, failing farm equipment, fuel shortages, and declining facilities.<\/p>\n<p>Communist Party officials at both the national and local levels have acknowledged the crisis and promised to save the industry, but long-term solutions have failed to manifest.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-full is-resized\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">In this Aug. 7, 2009, photo, a bottle of Havana Club rum, center, sits on a shelf for sale at Pantry II Liquors in Miami. (AP Photo\/Wilfredo Lee)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>Cuban rums are typically aged for several years, meaning the year-over-year decline in sugar production and its effects on rum exports are experienced in staggered changes to the market.<\/p>\n<p>If Cuba remains isolated on the international market due to United States-led sanctions and does not adapt its production processes to accommodate its failing domestic crop, the future of its iconic rum exports is uncertain.<\/p>\n<p>Any attempts to bring Cuba back into the international marketplace would require a major shift in its diplomatic strategies with the U.S.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/foreign-policy\/3410878\/state-department-cuba-noncooperating-country-harboring-terrorists\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\"><strong>STATE DEPARTMENT LISTS CUBA AS NONCOOPERATING COUNTRY OVER HARBORING TERRORISTS<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Earlier this month, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/foreign-policy\/3410878\/state-department-cuba-noncooperating-country-harboring-terrorists\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">U.S. State Department designated Cuba<\/a> as a &ldquo;not fully cooperating country&rdquo; on the accusation that it is harboring approximately 11 fugitives.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;In 2024, the Cuban regime did not fully cooperate with the United States on counterterrorism.&#8239; There were at least 11 U.S. fugitives from justice in Cuba, including several facing terrorism-related charges, and the Cuban regime made clear it was not willing to discuss their return to face justice in our nation,&rdquo; State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce said.&#8239;&rdquo;The Cuban regime&rsquo;s refusal to engage on this&nbsp;important issue, as well as other recent circumstances of non-cooperation on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/state-department-lists-cuba-as-noncooperating-country-over-harboring-terrorists-washington-examiner\/\" title=\"... as noncooperating country over harboring terrorists - Washington Examiner\">terrorism-related law enforcement matters<\/a>, made efforts to cooperate on counterterrorism issues futile in 2024.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Other nations hit with the same designation include North Korea, Iran, Syria, and Venezuela.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_2042615\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"2042615\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Cuba&#8217;s severe sugar shortage endangers global rum supply<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3468,"featured_media":2440988,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/AP24272680721004.webp","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[13954,56230,56229,56228,56227],"class_list":["post-2440987","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-cuba","tag-global-impact","tag-historic-event","tag-rum-supply","tag-sugar-shortage"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/AP24272680721004.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2440987","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3468"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2440987"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2440987\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2440991,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2440987\/revisions\/2440991"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2440988"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2440987"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2440987"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2440987"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}