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Cuba will postpone its world-renowned annual cigar fair this year due to fuel shortages caused by a US oil embargo, organisers announced on Saturday. The island has been experiencing long blackouts for the past few weeks.
In an official statement, the fair’s organiser and the global monopoly on Cuban cigar sales, Habanos S.A., said the decision was made to “preserve the event’s high standard of quality.”
The fair is a key event for cigar aficionados and distributors worldwide, where attendees tour tobacco plantations, participate in auctions and witness the latest in craftsmanship.
The statement by Habanos S.A. did not set a new date for the 26th edition of the cigar fair.
Last year, the event closed with an auction in which $18 million was paid for a batch of highly coveted, hand-rolled cigars. The company also reported record sales of $827 million in 2025.
The fuel shortages have also hurt tourism on the island, with some agencies cancelling trips as the government shuts down hotels and relocates tourists to conserve electricity. Several cultural events, including a book fair, have also been postponed.
In late January, US President Donald Trump threatened to impose tariffs on any country that sold oil to Cuba, as Washington puts more pressure on the island’s communist leadership to implement political and economic reforms.
Cuba imports about 60% of its energy supply and has long relied on Venezuela and Mexico for much of its oil, which has been disrupted by US actions.