Although the tradition of Cuban light rum has been growing during more than 154 years, it is an industry that is renewed and consolidated. In this regard, it is necessary to strengthen the capabilities for the packaging of spirit drinks, and that was one of the main issues addressed at the 5th International Scientific and Technical Colloquium of Light Rum.
The Director of Packaging of the Ministry of Industries, Juana Iris Herrera, provided an overview of trends in this sector, and explained that despite there are 30 companies in charge of producing packages in the country -mainly in the central region of the country- the rum industry still demands the 60% of the total Cuban packaging importations.
She added that the demand for flexible packages exceeds 10 thousand tons per year, with a Cuban production of only one thousand. She also stated that the total of labels importation for the Corporation Cuba Ron is around 22 million dollars.
However, prospects are favorable. She explained that there are several advanced investment processes that will benefit the island's capabilities to elaborate its own supplements. Among them, she highlighted the construction of a new clean technology plant in the West, to replace imports of glass containers for bottles of rum, beer and soft drinks; and for food and drugs in a second stage.
Other projects, she said, are focused on the production of plastic and metal caps for rum bottles -to be concluded in 2019, in Havana-; production and marketing of printed flexible material; a plant for the benefit and reuse of glass containers; as well as the modernization and expansion of capabilities in the joint enterprise “Compacto Caribe” for the production of corrugated boxes.
Herrera also mentioned the expansion of the capabilities in the joint enterprises Durero Caribe -for the production of folding cartons and licenses for tobacco- and Adypel -for the production of labels.
The geographic position of the island -which excellent economic characteristics-, its diplomatic relations with more than 180 countries; political, social and legal stability; as well as the construction of a special development zone (in Mariel) with modern port and special regimes, were also indicated in the exhibition as a sample of the Island's potential for foreign investment in these sectors.
In order to show the development of rum industry, Havana Club International's Director of Marketing and Sales, Vivian Thomas, said that the brand reaches more than 120 countries and it is the third most sold worldwide, even without penetrating the US market, the 40% of the international rum market.
She added that the image of Havana Club combines functional and emotional elements and that the brand has more than 40 gold medals in international competitions, obtained with its products.
