US chicken meat exports to Cuba fell drastically for the second consecutive month, recent data from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) reveals.
In October, the figures show a drop of 26.5% in value and 32% in tons, thus reaching its lowest level since June 2020, when the world was in the midst of a pandemic.
He said that the US Department of Agriculture figures cover all chicken meat exports to Cuba, including agreements with state clients and micro, small and medium-sized businesses (MSMEs).
According to Monreal, the value recorded in October 2023 reaches $1.30 per kilogram of American chicken, the highest price in the last five years.
This value refers to what is known as FOB (free on board) at the port of shipment, he clarified.
Economists affirm that in addition to theincrease in chicken prices, Cuban MSMEs have prioritized the purchase of sugar, given the debacle of that industry in the country.
"Between January and October 2023, Cuba imported 179.4 thousand tons of sugar and sweeteners from the United States. Of that figure, 99 thousand tons was sugar. In just 4 months (July-October) sugar imports from the USA represented 21% of the 2022-23 Cuban harvest," Monreal posted.
By September it was already evident that the Cuban regime and its MSMEs had established a new record, registering that month the largest drop in purchases of American chicken meat in the year.
Thechicken exports from the United States to Cuba fell below 60% in September, compared to those made in August, published USDA.
Coincidentally, the Caribe and CIMEX stores in Havana began the cycles of regulated food sales without including chicken in the food “modules” in Cuban pesos, and instead began to sell products such as liver and gizzards.
In August in Havana, trucks with containers of chicken from MSMEs were also seen selling them on public roads.
"This sale under a bush is an informal market. It does not function as a competitive market nor does it connect with the internal economy. It is a 'Phoenician' business and is politically indefensible," Monreal observed about that practice.
In mid-August, the United States government assured through its diplomatic representation in Havana thatfood and medicine from their country they arrive daily in Cuba.
Chicken is the most widely purchased product in the United States and ranks above others such as dairy products, pork, pastry and pasta products, non-alcoholic beverages, among others.
Last year alone, purchases of food and agricultural products from Cuba to United States companies totaled $328.5 million dollars, which marked the largest increase in commercial operations between both countries in the last decade, according to official figures.
More than 85%, some $295 million, of these sales were in frozen chicken meat in its different forms (quarters, thighs and chicken pieces), which keeps it at the top of the products acquired since commercial transactions with Cuba in 2001.
The rest of the purchases of agricultural products are divided between wood pulp, beef, pork, frozen turkey, rice, soybeans, corn flour, grains, caramelized corn flakes, canned meat, coffee, beer and beverages non-alcoholic.
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