Potato harvest in Villa Clara ends in failure: yields at rock bottom and chaos in prices

Despite having a favorable climate for cultivation, the potato harvest for 2024-2025 in the province of Villa Clara has been a resounding failure, further evidence of the ongoing mismanagement of economic and agricultural resources in Cuba, despite the government's purported intention to achieve food sovereignty.

The production of the tuber has plummeted to alarming levels, with only 2,240 tons over more than 200 hectares, which represents a yield of just 11 tons per hectare, “when it was estimated to be no less than 17, the norm is 22.5, and the potentials already achieved are close to 30 when everything is done correctly,” lamented journalist Jesús Álvarez López, from the radio station CMHW, in a critical analysis he shared on his Facebook profile.

In his opinion, the crisis began with the late arrival of the seeds and the lack of the necessary technical time required for cultivation. This was compounded by deficiencies in land preparation, problems with irrigation due to fuel shortages, making it “impossible to avoid a productive collapse.”

"Thus, the potato doesn't help; I would say it rather exacerbates the situation," wrote the journalist, referring to the frustration of consumers who, after waiting for a year, received only two to four pounds of the product, depending on the municipality.

Low productivity was compounded by a chaotic management of prices. Álvarez criticized the State for not establishing a reasonable price in advance for a product that involves imported seeds and supplies, ultimately setting it at 11 pesos per pound, a value that does not cover costs.

There were even state entities that raised their prices exorbitantly based on buying and reselling which only served to cover up inefficiencies and not to support the producer who should be the one to profit the most. He could only defend himself against the absurd price by selling part of his production 'through other means', in an unprecedented chaos where anyone set a different price, and you could find it both in wheelbarrows and at the nearby street market next to the polyclinic in Malezas, Santa Clara,” he exemplified.

Testimonials in the comments on Álvarez's post confirmed the seriousness of the situation. Users reported that the seed was sold privately instead of being planted, that supplies from the technological package appeared on the black market, and that basic aspects, such as the functioning of plows during volunteer work days, failed.

In addition, they criticized the diversion of potatoes to informal networks, where they were sold for between 150 and 200 pesos per pound, well above the official price, while the product was scarce in state markets.

The user identified as Alberto Farías Silvera was emphatic: "Since potatoes have a fixed price of 12 pesos per pound, and today all agriculture is private, the producers will make little profit, so they hide the technology package to use it for other products that are much more financially advantageous, like beans, garlic, onions, etc. The result is low yields and high prices."

In his opinion, the solution is to "return to state agriculture with all the mechanisms that characterized it, including collection, contracting, marketing, and pricing, etc., and without the corrupt officials of MINAG (Ministry of Agriculture), who today take advantage of the privatization of this important industry for personal gain."

For Álvarez, the solution lies in trusting the farmers in all municipalities, as they are the ones who “achieve the best yields, who are capable of paying for fuel in foreign currency to prevent losses, and who advocate for a price approved nationwide that ensures profits for those who work hard without exploiting consumers.”

Otherwise, "it's better not to burden the country with expenses, only to cause disappointment in the end," he stated.

The potato, traditionally regarded as "the queen" among roots and tubers on the island, has lost its crown amid a disorganized agricultural system, with diluted responsibilities, chronic inefficiency, and a lack of timely decisions. A reality that, as several users assert, "repeats itself every year with new justifications and the same results."

In Cuba, the tuber has become a symbol, and its arrival each year represents the hope for a more complete meal, an economical alternative, a respite from rice and grains. However, what should be a guarantee of food security has transformed into a symptom of poverty and institutional neglect.

The most recent attempt to cultivate potatoes in Guantánamo ended in a failed harvest, with minimal yields and part of the crop lost, further confirming that the conditions for sustaining this crop in the easternmost province of Cuba are not viable.

The planting season in Ciego de Ávila began with a situation similar to that of previous campaigns, characterized by delays, lack of resources, and adverse weather conditions.

In Sancti Spíritus, the so-called "national balance potato", aimed at ensuring equitable distribution, has fallen victim to production issues, institutional disorganization, and politically motivated decisions lacking technical support, leading to a new wave of uncertainty and discontent among the population.

The sale in Santiago de Cuba generated tensions by limiting purchases to three pounds per person, which highlights the profound food crisis the country is facing, where basic products like this are distributed to the population in a rationed manner, in minimal quantities, and under a distribution system marked by scarcity and disorganization.

The difference between the official price of 11 pesos per pound and the 150 or 200 pesos (or more) at which it is sold in the informal market is yet another indication of the failure of the distribution and control system in Cuba.

Without real oversight mechanisms and with informal markets on the rise, potatoes are scarce in state-run stores and abundant in private hands, at prohibitive prices for most. The very dynamics of the harvest, which requires well-paid labor, pushes farmers to seek more lucrative ways to sell their produce, evading the state scheme.

However, amidst the severe food crisis affecting most Cubans, the Cuban government has started selling national potatoes, brand Frutisel, for 8.85 dollars per bag at the Havana supermarket located at 3ra y 70, which was the first to open in Cuba to operate exclusively in foreign currency.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Potato Crisis in Cuba