The food crisis in Cuba continues to produce images that reflect the harsh reality faced by the population. Recently, a Cuban TikTok user identified as Brianna (@brianna4258) shared a video documenting the arrival of potatoes in Matanzas and the line to access this product.
In the video, the young woman expresses her relief at the arrival of potatoes in the province and recounts how, thanks to a neighbor who gave her a 'tiquecito', she was able to skip the line that formed at the sales point. However, upon arrival, she was met with the news that they were only distributing two pounds per person. "Can you imagine, after such a long time without eating potatoes, being told that you will only receive two pounds", she comments with resignation.
The video has generated multiple reactions on social media. Some users are surprised that such a common food in other countries is rationed in Cuba. Comments like "Why don't you plant potatoes in buckets?" or "In the Dominican Republic, I can buy as many pounds as I want" reflect the disbelief of many people regarding the scarcity. Others, however, have lamented the situation and expressed their solidarity with the young woman: "What a large quantity of potatoes... I’m speechless", wrote one user with an ironic tone.
Potato Production and Harvesting in Matanzas
According to official information published by the Cuban News Agency (ACN), the potato harvest in Matanzas has begun in the fields of the Basic Unit of Cooperative Production Gispert, in Colón, and El Coronel, in Jovellanos. The aim is to gather about 15,600 tons of potatoes, although the planting area has been reduced by 400 hectares compared to the previous campaign.
A deeper problem: the food crisis on the island
The reality of this video in Matanzas when 'the potato arrives' or other food is not an isolated incident but rather further evidence of the food crisis in Cuba, which has reached alarming levels and is evident in various contexts.
In Santiago de Cuba, people have been seen picking food off the ground in markets and agricultural fairs, as reported in this case of a man collecting picadillo from discarded boxes.
Even the Cuban Prime Minister, Manuel Marrero, has acknowledged the lack of food and the serious crisis in national production. During a review by the Ministry of Food Industry, he admitted the need to increase the supply of proteins but did not provide specific solutions to reverse the situation.
The high cost of living and government measures
The impact of the economic crisis on the population is evident. On social media, Cubans have reported that the average salary on the island is insufficient to cover the costs of basic foods. Recently, a resident of Matanzas shared on TikTok what she was able to purchase with 22,000 Cuban pesos, approximately 64 dollars on the informal market, sparking debate about inflation and economic inequality.
To contain inflation, the government has imposed price caps on rice and beans, setting a maximum of 155 pesos per pound of rice and up to 285 pesos per pound of beans. However, prices in the black market double these figures, and many experts warn that state controls could lead to even greater shortages.
An uncertain future
The arrival of a ship carrying 24,000 tons of wheat in Cuba was presented as a temporary solution for the production of regulated bread, but the supply is only guaranteed until the end of March. Meanwhile, in Santiago de Cuba, the lack of flour has led the government to sell caldosa and tea as an alternative to regulated bread.
The video of the Cuban in Matanzas is yet another example of the precarious food situation in Cuba, which, far from improving, seems to be worsening over time. While citizens face endless lines, rationing, and an informal market that exceeds their economic means, Cubans continue to seek solutions to put food on their tables in an increasingly challenging context.
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