The people of Matanzas will not have bread from the basic basket this weekend due to a shortage of wheat flour.
"Due to the lack of wheat flour supply, the production of bread intended for the basic food basket and other balanced social consumption across the province of Matanzas continues to be affected for tomorrow, Sunday, June 1, 2025," reads a Facebook post from the Provincial Food Company of Matanzas.
The wheat flour supply crisis has forced the restriction of production and distribution of regulated bread in several provinces. In Artemisa, for instance, bread is distributed on alternate days and is made with mixtures of sweet potato, cassava, and pumpkin. In Guantánamo, the distribution of regulated bread is limited to those under 13 and to social institutions, while the price of liberated bread has increased significantly. Cienfuegos has implemented new prices that reach up to 150 CUP for a 200-gram piece, in response to rising production costs.
In Santiago de Cuba, it was publicly reported in March that a loaf of bread was being sold for as much as 50 CUP. This situation sparked citizen protests due to speculation in the informal market and the lack of regulation by the State.
This week, the National Office of Statistics and Information of Cuba (ONEI) reported that, during April, the price of non-regulated soft round bread (80 grams) reached 60 Cuban pesos (CUP) in Santiago de Cuba, the highest figure recorded in the country that month. The minimum price was 18 CUP in Ciego de Ávila, highlighting a significant regional inequality in access to this staple food.
Frequently asked questions about the bread crisis in Cuba
Why is there no bread in Matanzas this weekend?
The lack of wheat flour supply has forced the suspension of bread production in Matanzas, leaving citizens without access to basic basket bread this weekend.
How does the shortage of flour affect the price of bread in Cuba?
The scarcity of flour has led to a significant increase in the price of bread in several provinces, with prices reaching up to 150 CUP for a 200-gram piece in Cienfuegos, highlighting the regional inequality in access to this staple food.
What measures has the Cuban government taken to address the bread crisis?
The government has implemented measures such as selling bread on alternate days and mixing flour with sweet potato, cassava, and pumpkin in provinces like Artemisa to extend the use of the limited flour available, although these actions have not resolved the shortage.
What is the current situation in other provinces affected by the bread crisis?
In provinces like Guantánamo, the distribution of regulated bread is limited to those under 13 years old and to social institutions, while in Santiago de Cuba, production is practically at a standstill due to the lack of flour, which has caused significant concern and social unrest.
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