Vol. 109 (1996): Proceedings of the Florida State Horticultural Society
Citrus

RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN THE CUBAN CITRUS INDUSTRY

Published 1996-12-01

Keywords

  • citrus,
  • cuba,
  • cuban citrus industry

Abstract

Developments in the former socialist countries of the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe since 1989 have had a dramatic impact on the economic situation in Cuba. This, in turn, has placed a great deal of pressure upon the Cuban government. In response, the Cuban government has entered into a process of economic reforms which includes the Cuban citrus industry. This paper presents an historical perspective of Cuba's citrus industry from 1958 to 1990 during which time Cuba's economy was directly aligned with the former Soviet Union Socialist bloc's subsidized barter market arrangement. The economic impact to the Cuban citrus industry that occurred after 1990 with the disintegration of the Soviet Socialist bloc is discussed along with current economic and market reforms. The economic reforms include foreign joint ventures, establishment of grower cooperatives and exporting fresh and processed citrus products in the international free market arena.