A Belarusian tractor factory has promised to supply at least 50 units of agricultural machinery to Cuba by the end of 2025, amidst the severe economic crisis the island is facing and the challenges in the agricultural sector to ensure basic food supplies.
The promise was made during an official visit by Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel to the Minsk Tractor Plant (MTZ), within the framework of his tour in Belarus. According to the factory's general director, Serguéi Avramenko, “this year we plan to deliver at least 50 units of finished equipment.”
Cuba, which has been a traditional market for this plant since the Soviet era, continues to use machinery that is over fifty years old. "Currently, we are using equipment from our production that is 30, 40, and 50 years old. This demonstrates its quality and reliability,” said Avramenko, in statements collected by the Belarusian state agency BelTa. However, this fact also reveals the serious technological stagnation that the Caribbean country faces in key sectors such as agriculture.
The account of the Presidency of Cuba on Twitter/X added that the leader toured an exhibition of industrial machinery and indicated that "currently, 12 modern tractors of the Belarús 321 m type have been assembled in Cuba, and another 42 will be assembled soon," highlighting the agreement as part of a joint effort to revitalize the national agricultural sector.
In a context marked by food scarcity, the deterioration of agricultural infrastructure, and the massive migration from rural areas to cities or abroad, the delivery of 50 tractors, while valuable, proves insufficient in light of the magnitude of the problem.
The supply is not only limited, but some of this equipment could be used in non-agricultural sectors, such as construction or the forestry industry, according to the Belarusian official's own explanation.
“The President acknowledged the very high quality of Belarusian equipment and noted that Cuba is open to continuing to collaborate on joint projects”, tweeted @PresidenciaCuba. For his part, Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla described the assembly of tractors on the island as “essential” for the “progress of agriculture.”
But in the Cuban fields, it's not just about machinery: without fuel, fertilizers, spare parts, or minimal conditions to produce and transport, a new tractor can end up as immobile as the old ones that rest rusted along the edges of the furrows.
In exchange for what?
In recent years, the exchange between both regimes has occurred under “mutual compensation” schemes, where Cuba does not pay with money but with products such as medicines, rum, or coffee.
In 2021, an agreement was signed to exchange Belarusian tractors and machinery for pharmaceuticals made on the island, while in 2024, as confirmed by the outlet Plan B, the regime proposed to pay for a new batch of tractors with rum, cocoa beans, and coffee. All of this is occurring in a context where Cuba is unable to sustain its own production of these products due to a lack of supplies and raw materials.
The barter system, supported by agreements between state and private holdings from both countries, leaves many questions unanswered: what exact quantity of Cuban products will be delivered?, at what price?, who manages them?, who supervises? The lack of transparency fuels suspicions of corruption, clientelism, and unequal distribution of benefits among government elites.
Even if the tractors arrive, what guarantees are there that they will end up in the hands of food-producing farmers, rather than in the hands of military companies or exporters?
In January 2021, the government announced the sale of tractors in freely convertible currency (MLC) through state stores. A farmer from the capital said at that time that prices ranged from 14,000 to 27,000 USD, which was unaffordable for most farmers.
Frequently Asked Questions about Belarus's Promise to Supply Tractors to Cuba
How many tractors does Belarus promise to send to Cuba in 2025?
Belarus has promised to supply at least 50 tractors to Cuba in 2025. This promise was made during the official visit of Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel to the Minsk Tractor Plant. However, given Cuba's serious economic crisis and technological obsolescence, this number may be insufficient to address the issues in the agricultural sector on the island.
How are Belarusian tractors paid for?
Payment for the tractors is made through bartering, exchanging Cuban products such as medicine, rum, or coffee. This method has been used in previous agreements between Cuba and Belarus, reflecting Cuba's lack of liquid financial resources to pay in cash for tractors and other imported products.
What challenges does Cuba face in the implementation of these new tractors?
The challenges include the lack of fuel, fertilizers, spare parts, and minimal conditions for production and transportation. Although tractors represent a technological advancement, without these critical inputs, their effectiveness and utility in the Cuban agricultural sector could be severely limited. Furthermore, there is a risk that some tractors may be diverted to non-agricultural sectors.
How does the current energy crisis in Cuba affect the situation of the agricultural sector?
The energy crisis in Cuba, marked by prolonged power outages, exacerbates the situation in the agricultural sector. Without a reliable electricity supply, agricultural operations are impacted, hindering food production and preservation. Moreover, the lack of electricity halts the machinery and infrastructure necessary for processing and transporting agricultural products.
What impact does Díaz-Canel's visit to Belarus have on the internal situation in Cuba?
Díaz-Canel's visit strengthens international alliances, but does not ease the internal crisis. While it aims to improve relations and economic agreements with Belarus, the Cuban population continues to face a severe energy and economic crisis. The lack of tangible improvements in the daily lives of Cubans is generating growing social discontent and skepticism about the real benefits of these international alliances.
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