HAVANA, Oct 12 (NNN-Prensa Latina) — The tightening of the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the United States against Cuba has caused millions in losses to Cuba’s tobacco industry, according to an official source.
The Tabacuba Business Group reported that the damages amount to $145 million from April 2018 to March 2019.
The group explained that most suppliers of packaging materials, spare parts and other supplies necessary for the tobacco industry are closely linked to the US market, and as such they cannot do business with Cuba.
Another consequence of the US blockade is increased freight costs for imports and exports, due to bans and sanctions against shipping companies.
Cuba produces the world´s best tobacco and US citizens are prevented from freely acquiring it due to the blockade policy.
In the aforementioned period, Cuba reported total losses of $4,343,600,000 due to the hostile US policy.