Situated in the northern Caribbean, just east of Mexico, the Republic of Cuba imported goods worth an estimated US$4.44 billion in 2024.

This figure represents a 38.6% drop compared to the $7.2 billion spent on imports in 2020. On a yearly basis, Cuba's import value slipped 1.1% from $4.49 billion in 2023, showing a continued slowdown in external purchasing.

According to the most recent available trade data (2022), roughly 49.2% of Cuba's imports came from a small group of key partners. The leading suppliers were mainland China (11.5%), Spain (10.1%), the United States (4.6%), Argentina (3.5%), Mexico (3.5%), Brazil (3.4%), Germany (2.5%), Italy (2.3%), Vietnam (2.2%), the Netherlands (2%), Canada (1.9%), and Venezuela (1.6%).

By region, Europe provided the largest share of Cuba's imports (35%), followed by Asia (29.6%) and Latin America (18.4%) excluding Mexico. North America accounted for 15.6%, while Oceania (0.9%)—mainly New Zealand—and Africa (0.4%) made up smaller portions.

With a population of about 11 million, Cuba's total import spending translates to approximately $400 per person in 2024, slightly lower than $410 per capita in 2023.

Top 10 Imported Goods in 2024

Below are the main import categories by total value and share of Cuba's overall import spending:

1.Machinery (including computers): US$529.1 million (11.9%)

2.Meat: $458.4 million (10.3%)

3.Electrical machinery & equipment: $384.3 million (8.7%)

4.Vehicles: $290.8 million (6.5%)

5.Beverages, spirits & vinegar: $253.8 million (5.7%)

6.Cereals: $177.5 million (4%)

7.Dairy, eggs & honey: $158.3 million (3.6%)

8.Plastics & plastic articles: $125.3 million (2.8%)

9.Cereal or milk preparations: $120.7 million (2.7%)

10.Meat & seafood preparations: $108.3 million (2.4%)

Together, these ten categories represented 58.7% of Cuba's total imports.

The largest year-over-year increases were seen in dairy, eggs, and honey (up 33.5%), followed by electrical machinery (up 31.5%) and cereal or milk preparations (up 30.9%). Conversely, imports of cereals (-31.7%) and plastics (-29.3%) experienced significant declines.

Finding Reliable Buyers in Cuba

For companies seeking to enter or expand in Cuba's import market, finding trustworthy buyers is crucial. Tendata's advanced trade intelligence tools—including keyword search, HS code filters, and buyer verification—allow users to efficiently locate thousands of active importers, analyze purchasing behavior, and access verified contact details, streamlining the market-entry process.

For instance, when exploring motor demand, Tendata instantly identifies the top 10 Cuban buyers in 2024, such as:

1.IMPEXPORT SURL (11.31%)

2.TRANSIT EXPORT CUBA (10.27%)

3.TRANSIMPORT (8.96%)

4.IMPEXPORT S U R L (8.77%)

5.AGENCIA MARITIMA TAINA S A (5.92%)

6.MOA NICKEL (4.35%)

7.IMPEXPORT SURL INV YCM INC (3.98%)

8.MULTISERVI S A (3.4%)

9.IMPEXPORT (3.25%)

10.EMPRESA COMERCIALIZADORA ITH S A (3%)

Whether you are a seasoned exporter or just entering the market, using Tendata's Cuba import data can uncover valuable business opportunities.

Contact Tendata today for a free demo and gain access to the latest Cuban import statistics and verified buyer information.