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Agricultural production in Cuba has experienced a shocking decline in 2023 compared to the previous year, according to the recently published Cuba Statistical Yearbook 2023, which confirms the worsening food security crisis facing the country.
Official indicators show significant drops in the production of essential foods such as pork, rice, root vegetables, eggs, cow's milk, beans, and vegetables, as noted in a tweet by economist Pedro Monreal.
According to official statistics, pork production, one of the most important sources of protein in the Cuban diet, fell by 93.2% in 2023 compared to 2022, reflecting the collapse of the pork sector in the country.
This decline is attributed to the lack of supplies, the deterioration of the state production system, and the difficulties in accessing balanced feed for livestock.
The rice sector, another pillar of the diet on the island, experienced a reduction of 59.1%, while the production of root vegetables and eggs fell by 44% and 43%, respectively.
In the case of cow's milk, there was a contraction of 37.6%, which negatively impacts the availability of dairy products, essential for children's nutrition and the nutrition of the most vulnerable populations.
While analyzing this data, Monreal stated that this situation confirms a "serious food security crisis" in Cuba. In that context, he emphasized that the data for 2024 has not yet been published, but preliminary reports indicate an even greater deterioration of the situation, raising uncertainty about the future of food on the island.
The Cuban agricultural sector has faced multiple challenges in recent years, such as the aging of machinery, a lack of fertilizers and inputs, as well as restrictions imposed on small private producers. This is compounded by rampant inflation and logistical difficulties stemming from the economic crisis the country is experiencing.
The data from the 2023 Statistical Yearbook shows that beans and vegetables also experienced declines of 29.5% and 22.7% respectively, affecting the variety and availability of fresh food in the markets, forcing the population to turn to more expensive imported options or low-nutritional-quality products.
This food crisis is reflected in the increasing scarcity of basic goods in state markets and the rising costs of available food in the private sector, where prices have reached unaffordable levels for a large portion of the Cuban population. Cubans face long lines daily and the uncertainty of not finding essential products for their sustenance.
Experts in the field warn that national production is insufficient to meet domestic demand, which forces the country to rely on imports, in a context where the lack of foreign exchange and international restrictions further complicate the situation.
Despite government efforts to boost agricultural production through new policies and sector restructuring, the results have been insufficient to reverse the downward trend.
Meanwhile, Cubans continue to grapple with a food crisis that directly affects their quality of life and nutritional security.
The publication of this official data only confirms what citizens experience in their daily lives: a chronic shortage of food and a lack of effective solutions that can alleviate the situation in the short term.
Proposals and Conclusions on the Food Crisis in Cuba
In July 2022, the Cuban regime enacted the Food Sovereignty Law with the aim of ensuring safe and nutritious food for the entire population.
This legislation aimed to regulate the organization of sustainable local food systems, promoting the production, processing, marketing, and consumption of food within the country.
However, critics point out that although the law establishes a legal framework, it does not effectively address import dependence nor does it provide concrete solutions to increase domestic production.
The following are some of the most relevant analyses and proposals from experts and authorities:
1. Proposal for the privatization of agriculture: Economist Pedro Monreal has suggested the necessity of privatizing Cuban agriculture as a measure to overcome the crisis of yields in the sector.
Monreal argues that it is essential to develop a modern private agriculture, which would involve institutional transformations in terms of ownership and market, as well as a significant investment.
This proposal aims to promote agricultural efficiency and productivity through the involvement of the private sector.
2. Criticism of government measures: Analysts like Elías Amor have questioned the effectiveness of the measures implemented by the government to improve food production.
In response to official programs, it has been noted that initiatives such as the "63 measures" have not succeeded in increasing productivity and efficiency in the agricultural sector, and there has been an emphasis on the need to make profound changes to the structure of property rights to foster a more conducive environment for agricultural production.
3. Limitations of State Policies: Previous analyses have highlighted that food sovereignty cannot be achieved solely through decrees or laws.
In this regard, it has been argued that it is essential to create a legal framework that grants producers autonomy and freedom to make decisions about their production, reducing state intervention and allowing market supply and demand laws to play a more significant role.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Food Crisis in Cuba
What is the magnitude of the food crisis in Cuba according to the 2023 Statistical Yearbook data?
The food crisis in Cuba is severe, with a significant decline in the production of essential foods such as pork, rice, root vegetables, eggs, cow's milk, beans, and vegetables. In particular, pork production fell by 93.2% in 2023 compared to 2022, reflecting the collapse of the pork sector in the country.
What are the causes of the collapse in agricultural production in Cuba?
The decline in Cuban agricultural production is due to a lack of inputs, the deterioration of the state production system, and difficulties in accessing balanced feed for livestock. Additionally, the aging of machinery, the lack of fertilizers and supplies, and restrictions on small private producers have worsened the situation.
How does the food crisis affect the Cuban population?
The food crisis has led to an increase in the scarcity of basic products in state markets and to the rising costs of available food in the private sector, which are unaffordable for a large portion of the Cuban population. This has forced citizens to endure long lines and the daily uncertainty of not finding essential products for their sustenance.
What measures has the Cuban government taken to address the food crisis?
The Cuban government enacted the Food Sovereignty Law in 2022 to ensure safe food and promote local production. However, critics argue that the law does not effectively address the reliance on imports nor provide concrete solutions to increase national production. Despite policies and restructuring efforts, the results have been insufficient to reverse the downward trend in agricultural production.
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