Cuba must import 5 million crates of beer in order to meet the demand from the growing number of tourists to the socialist Caribbean island, according to a Ministry of Food Industry official.

Vice Minister Betsy Diaz Velazquez said that the annual planned production of 33 million crates would not be sufficient due to a rise in tourism and an increase in the number of private restaurants.

The biggest winner from Cuba's beer shortage is likely to be the Dominican Republic-based beer producer Presidente, which is supposed to deliver 3 million crates. A crate of beer contains 24 cans or bottles each.

Last year, 3.5 million tourists made their way to Cuba, an increase of 17 percent from 2014. And thanks to the political thaw between the United States and Cuba, the island expects the number of tourists to only continue to grow, especially those visiting from the US.

is/ks (dpa)