Ciego de Ávila without meat from the ration book: Only children under six years old receive the product

Most residents of Ciego de Ávila do not have access to beef through the ration book, a situation that continues with no defined date for resolution.

Although there are population groups with regular allocation of the product—such as individuals on medical diets or those of certain ages—only children under six years old are currently receiving it, as explained by sector authorities.

Dianeidys Cañizares Hernández, commercial director of the Business Group of Commerce in Ciego de Ávila, stated to the official newspaper Invasor that currently, “we have nothing approved for the rest of the population” regarding meat deliveries through the ration book.

Cañizares' statements were made in a video published on the state media's own YouTube channel, where the management detailed that there is no indication of when meat will be regularly distributed again to the rest of the Avilan consumers who receive this product.

Despite the scarcity of meat, the arrival of various products from the regulated family basket, such as rice from previous months, has brought some relief to consumers by preventing them from having to turn to the informal market where prices are significantly higher.

Cañizares explained that, specifically in the case of rice, there were 3 pounds pending from December, 7 from January, and 7 from February. He clarified that this distribution cycle is virtually complete, with only about 40 warehouses in the main municipality remaining to fulfill a total of 17 pounds per capita.

However, there is still no response regarding the delivery for the month of March, which will be communicated once the final figures are available.

Regarding sugar, the delivery of the two pounds for March has been completed, and the quantity for April is already in the territory; however, distribution will begin once the backlog of products is resolved.

The distribution of oil also began at the end of February and, so far, has reached 210 of the 491 existing warehouses in the province. The municipalities of Chambas, Bolivia, and Primero de Enero have already completed one hundred percent, while the municipality of Ciego de Ávila has received the product in 80 warehouses.

According to the distribution policy approved by the Ministry of Domestic Trade (Mincin), the 7 pounds of rice from March are still pending. In contrast, the delivery of sugar, grains, and fortified milk for children has already been completed.

Controlled released beans are also being distributed at 196 pesos per pound, as part of a guaranteed national production offer by local companies, such as the grain producers in Chambas. This product has already been delivered in the municipalities of Bolivia and Primero de Enero, and its distribution continues throughout the rest of the province.

Additionally, the distribution of bath soap and laundry soap for the March-April bimonthly period has been arranged, which is only pending delivery to the localities of Chambas and Ciego de Ávila. The sale of toothpaste has also been approved, although it has not yet arrived in the province.

Finally, the commercial director reported that the distribution of cigarettes for those over 18 continues, consistent with the previous month, in the municipalities that have not yet received them.

During the month of December 2024, the Cuban government announced that the ration booklet would remain in effect in 2025, although with a progressively reduced distribution and subject to the elimination of subsidies.

This decision was announced amid growing hardships in the distribution of basic food items, such as rice, sugar, and milk, which caused concern among the population.

According to the statement made at the time, the coverage of the ration book for all family units was guaranteed, although it did not specify how the increasingly evident limitations in supply would be compensated.

By March 2025, the situation had become unsustainable. The Cuban government publicly acknowledged that the rationing booklet is in crisis, during a meeting led by Miguel Díaz-Canel and Manuel Marrero Cruz.

In that meeting, the failure of distribution mechanisms was acknowledged, the inability to meet inventory levels, and the shortage of key products such as coffee, eggs, salt, and milk.

Furthermore, it was revealed that the subsidy system is no longer viable, which is why a price update and greater decentralization of marketing are projected, although without presenting concrete solutions to protect the most vulnerable sectors.

In parallel, a report from March 2025 highlighted the testimonies of needy citizens who claim they have not received products from the ration book for several months.

One of the interviewees recounted that the last time they received a food ration was in December, while another neighbor expressed that they have been without oil, peas, or hygiene products since October.

The lack of food has forced many to rely on the informal market, where prices are unaffordable for most, which exacerbates the situation of food insecurity and neglect by the regime.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Distribution of Basic Goods in Ciego de Ávila