How will Cuban LCDH stock levels look when tourism returns???

[bmf30180]

I have a trip on the books for late November.  I am not holding my breath that I'll actually get on the flight.  I stay in regular contact with my B&B hostess and promise to be on one of the first flights down when things open.  Being from Atlanta, its a relatively short/cheap flight among several airlines.

But, I am curious if it will indeed be a true buyers paradise after the shutdown.  Will one be able to walk into an LCDH and see stacks of Siglo VI, CoLas, Talisman and the other nearly impossible to find boxes stacked to the rafters?  Have they already been promised to certain folks, and not much changes?  Will the secret handshake still work or will it even be needed?

Like I said, I'm really just curious as to other's thoughts.  But, I'd like to think it's gonna be a target rich environment.  Pipe dream?

[zigarrenziggy]

I'm in the same boat as you: I'm in Atlanta and just waiting to snag a ticket the first week we can.

I'm hoping it's what you describe: CoLas, Fundies, Behikes galore. Who knows, though. Could be in for an unfortunate surprise where they've shipped everything they can internationally and haven't restocked domestically at all

[bmf30180]

Ah, another optimist!

?

[zigarrenziggy]

I'd be happy just to get there at this point, let alone find diamonds in the rough. I'm sure I'd be perfectly fine with the tried and true stick and not be disappointed if I didn't walk away with stacks of Behike and Leyenda

[bmf30180]

I agree.  I'm usually 1/2 customs or farmies anyway.

[asudevil08]

Yup I agree with most - get me on a flight down there, and I'll happily enjoy a AUG 20 cuaba.  Well, maybe a ABR 20 cuaba.  

[chris12381]

I've been wondering if the quick turnover over the past several years has allowed some of the places to get away with murder when it comes to proper storage conditions.  ?

 

[Eric05]

I doubt you will see any behike or high end

[Bagman]

I'm certain all boxes that would have gone to the LCDH's were sent out of the country instead.  They aren't just pilling up waiting for our return. They will stock the stores with what they have on hand at the time of opening.  So it will look the same as any other time

November won't happen.  I had  a December trip that was canceled on me.  Delta stopped taking reservations all together.  Spring 2021 is the most likely.

[Habana Mike]

With very limited air traffic in and out I hear distributors around the world are in shorter supply. Think that has something to do with the price increases we've seen.

Rob, are you still getting regular shipments?

[El Presidente]

1 minute ago, Habana Mike said:

With very limited air traffic in and out I hear distributors around the world are in shorter supply. Think that has something to do with the price increases we've seen.

Rob, are you still getting regular shipments?

Shipments are on average 60% of normal quantity.   I am in regular contact with retailers/distributors around the world and it is the same all over. 

General global price increases are a direct result of HSA increases (May) (8% on Trinidad and generally 4% across everything else), 10%+ correction in USD,  30% increase in demand, up to 40% decrease in supply, doubling of freight prices. 

[Fuzz AI]

If I was HSA, I'd be shipping almost everything out of the country to try to earn as much money as possible. No reason to hold stock in LCDH stores in Cuba, just sitting around in the hopes of some tourist walking in the day travel is re-opened. Get the money now, worry about re-stocking stores later.

[Habana Mike]

3 hours ago, El Presidente said:

Shipments are on average 60% of normal quantity.   I am in regular contact with retailers/distributors around the world and it is the same all over. 

General global price increases are a direct result of HSA increases (May) (8% on Trinidad and generally 4% across everything else), 10%+ correction in USD,  30% increase in demand, up to 40% decrease in supply, doubling of freight prices. 

Increase in demand certainly correlated to so many working from home. No commute, not in the office. Plenty more time to smoke!