Despite the U.S. blockade, the production of hand-rolled tobacco, reached six million cigars in the first half of 2025.
On Wednesday, Jose Livan Font, the vice president of the state-owned Cuban Tobacco Business Group (TACUBA), announced that Cuba closed the year 2025 with 12,000 hectares of tobacco planted, 8,000 of which are located in the province of Pinar del Rio.
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TACUBA expects to reach 20,000 hectares in January 2026 thanks to the availability of seedlings, despite energy difficulties affecting 5,000 hectares under electric irrigation.
He stated that electrical circuits have been protected to ensure the irrigation process, and that Tabacuba is developing a four-year program with financing and equipment, which incorporates renewable sources such as photovoltaic solar panels for a future 10,000 hectares.
Currently, 320 irrigation pumps are being installed, and 1,000 more are on the way. While 120 pre-industrial and industrial facilities operate on solar energy, producers are also acquiring photovoltaic systems for their homes and sorting facilities.
New decisions in the national exchange market allow the sale of freely convertible currency (MLC) to banks at the same value as the dollar, which facilitates financial conditions for the national tobacco season.
Located in the heart of Cuba, the fields of Vuelta Abajo*, Pinar del Río* are the land of what is considered the world’s best tobacco. The leaves are cultivated with care in an ideal climate and fertile soil, enhancing their unique fragrance and flavor.
*P.A.O. pic.twitter.com/VchYZHbw7u— Habanos SA Oficial (@Habanos_Oficial) August 30, 2024
In Pinar del Rio, The Los Burros cooperative has increased its tobacco plantings since 2024. Its president, Yunieski Rodriguez informed that its cooperative has planted six hectares of sun-grown tobacco and will have access to solar panels for irrigation.
Despite the U.S. blockade, the production of hand-rolled tobacco, also called Premium, reached six million cigars in the first half of 2025, a figure higher than in 2024.
Throughout the year, 201 million packs of cigarettes were produced, exceeding the agreement with the Domestic Trade Ministry by 3.4%. Additionally, curing facilities in Pinar del Rio damaged by Hurricane Ian in 2022 are being repaired.
Habanos S.A. Corporation markets 27 brands of Cuban cigars made with leaves from the Vueltabajo region, which are handcrafted using selected leaves, primarily from Pinar del Rio. It represents Cuban tradition and is one of the country’s main export products.
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Source: ACN – Cubainformacion
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