Rum, Beer and Coffee from Cuba at London´s IFE

Different brands of beer and coffee made in Cuba were some of the products the island nation presented at the International Food & Beverage Fair (IFE) held in London last week.

Most presentations were made by foreign companies from Great Britain, Ireland and France that have joint ventures with Cuban enterprises and sell Cuban items in the U.K. and all across Europe.

Havana Club, the rum brand marketed by France’s Pernod Ricard Group that sells over two million cases of the coveted spirit every year, was one of the stars of the show. The company won a court ruling last year in a lawsuit against the Bacardi Group from the U.S.

Tropical, the British firm that’s been partnered with Cuba Ron for a number of years, promoted a new spirit distilled in the eastern province of Santiago de Cuba, former home to Bacardi Co.

Cristal and Bucanero, two beer brands brewed in Cuba, also made the rounds at the IFE Fair and are expected to make it big in a country like England, where people have a liking for the ultimate suds.

The promotion of three Cuban-made coffee brands (Serrano, Cubita and Turquino) came to London in different variants, ranging from ground and toasted to grains and in bulk.

Cuban officials admit companies on the island nation are trying hard to make their products far more competitive in the European market.