The Cuban Minister of Food Industry, Alberto López Díaz, appeared this Tuesday before the Agricultural and Food Commission of the Cuban Parliament to present the economic balance for the first half of 2025 and detail the urgent measures of the government program to "correct distortions" and revitalize the struggling national food industry.
In a speech marked by the harshness of the data and the urgency to make decisions, the minister admitted that “it has been a complicated semester for the sector”, and pointed out that “not all companies take advantage of all opportunities.”
National production on the brink of collapse...except for beer
The dramatic production figures in the food sector reveal the precarious state of the food industry in Cuba. The plan was only exceeded in beer production:
-Dairy industry: 54.1% of the plan completed, although with a slight increase in collection.
-Meat industry: 71% compliance, but with a decrease of more than 600 tons.
-Canned goods: Only 48.5% of the plan, despite an improvement in tomato production.
-Coffee: Critical production, with only 2,887 tons (23.7% of the plan).
-Molinera: 54.4% compliance, limited by the lack of arrival of wheat ships.
-Beer: The only positive note, with a 107% compliance rate thanks to companies like Bucanero and Parranda.
Negative figures and companies in crisis
One of the most alarming statistics was the number of companies reporting negative results: 17 entities ended the semester with losses amounting to a total of 364 million pesos.
This represents an increase of five companies and 217 million more in losses compared to 2024.
The OSDE Alimentaria was the entity with the greatest impact on this deterioration.
The report presented by López Díaz also revealed a decrease of 2.9% in net sales compared to the same period last year.
Sales totaled 31,635 million pesos, which represents only 83% of the planned target.
Regarding net profits, the sector barely achieved 91% of what was planned, experiencing a 17.5% decline.
Lack of fuel, million-dollar debts, and loss of exports
The fishing sector began the year with serious limitations.
According to the minister, they were unable to store lobster as in previous years due to a lack of fuel.
“Last year we stopped capturing approximately 2,000 tons of lobster”, stated López Díaz, which directly affected export revenues.
However, it forecasted a possible recovery for the second semester with the lifting of the ban starting on July 1.
The financial outlook is also critical: the sector faces a debt of 35.5 million dollars, of which more than 25 million are overdue.
As a relief measure, the retention of 73.47% of fishing revenues (equivalent to 62.2 million pesos) was approved for the development of that industry.
The deficit in the import of raw materials is one of the main causes of the productive collapse.
“Only 30% of the planned powdered milk and 55% of the wheat were received, and no soybeans or oil have been imported so far this year,” detailed the minister.
The Cuban government is counting on the private sector to save a struggling state food industry
A key point of the report was the progress of productive linkages with the non-state sector, which currently accounts for 25% of the national food production.
The meat industry depends on these players by 38%, the dairy sector by 13%, and canned goods by 15%.
More than 2,300 contracts have been signed with new economic players, with the goal of doubling the 2024 production (56,000 tons) and exceeding 100,000 tons this year.
Concrete examples of success include the Meat Company of Sancti Spíritus, which has diversified its production to include pigs and poultry; and the canning company of Ciego de Ávila, which financed 500 hectares of tomatoes and processed over 7,000 tons.
Online sales exceeded 25.9 million dollars (100.5% growth), although sales to tourists dropped by 11%, totaling 38.6 million dollars, due to the decrease in the arrival of visitors to the country.
Emergency measures and structural reorganization
In response to the widespread deterioration, the ministry has begun to implement a set of measures, among which the following stand out:
- Restructuring of the organization.
-Financing schemes in foreign currencies for the Business Group of the Fishing Industry and the Shrimp Farming Company.
-Opening of USD accounts for the online platform and the corporation Cuba Ron.
Authorization to charge in dollars 50% of the value of fish intended for tourism.
-Creation of a joint chocolate and cocoa company in Baracoa.
-Introduction, starting in September, of new shrimp genetics, something that hasn't happened in 25 years.
The reorganization of the ministry was also approved, with new departments for science, computing, and communications, and the transformation of the Food Research Institute into a self-financed science unit.
Between Collapse and Improvisation: the State Admits It Cannot Handle the Food Crisis Alone
Far from accepting concrete responsibilities for the accumulated failure, the minister concluded his speech by appealing to the need to "accelerate processes" and to trust in the potential of new economic actors as a lifeline.
However, this approach continues to leave the task of sustaining a struggling state industry in the hands of third parties—private, non-state producers—while the bureaucratic apparatus barely reacts.
In a country where shortages have become the norm, calls to "improve productive results" sound empty if they are not accompanied by real reforms that dismantle the internal constraints of the system.
The appearance of Minister Alberto López Díaz revealed a bleak picture of the Cuban food industry, characterized by inefficiency, structural deterioration, and the accumulated impact of years of poor economic decisions.
Despite the official speeches that insist on "reorganization" and "productive linkages," the reality is that the figures reflect alarming setbacks in key sectors such as fishing, dairy production, coffee, and canned goods.
The announced measures come too late, and although they may have some palliative effect in the second half of the year, they do not address the underlying problem: a centralized economic model that stifles productivity and limits the development of the sector.
The explicit acknowledgment of million-dollar losses, unpayable debts, and the systematic failure to meet plans not only reveals the failure of the current state management scheme but also raises doubts about the sustainability of the food system in the country.
While the government insists on "new structures" and "alliances," millions of Cubans are daily facing shortages, rising prices of basic goods, and increasing food insecurity.
The food crisis in Cuba is no longer a temporary issue or a result of "distortions": it is structural and long-lasting. It directly affects the health, quality of life, and future of the country.
The sustained decline in national production, the lack of essential supplies such as wheat, powdered milk, oil, or soy, and the reliance on non-state actors to keep the system afloat indicate that the model is exhausted.
The government's inability to ensure basic supply confirms that the food collapse is not a future threat, but rather a reality that shapes the daily lives of Cuban households.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Food Crisis in Cuba
What is the current state of the food industry in Cuba?
The food industry in Cuba is on the brink of collapse. The Minister of Food Industry, Alberto López Díaz, presented figures that reveal a very low adherence to production plans in key sectors such as dairy, meat, and canned goods, while the production of coffee and wheat flour is critical. Only beer production has exceeded its goals, reaching 107% of the plan.
What measures has the Cuban government announced to address the food crisis?
The Cuban government has announced a set of emergency measures, including the restructuring of the ministerial body, the creation of financing schemes in foreign currency for the fishing industry, and the authorization to charge in dollars for part of the value of seafood intended for tourism. However, these measures do not address the structural causes of the crisis, such as state inefficiency and the lack of supplies.
What role does the private sector play in the Cuban food industry?
The private sector is playing an increasing role in food production in Cuba, accounting for 25% of national production. The government has signed over 2,300 contracts with new economic actors, aiming to double production by 2024 and exceed 100,000 tons this year. However, this reliance on the private sector reflects the state system's inability to sustain production on its own.
How does the food crisis affect the Cuban population?
The food crisis in Cuba has a direct and negative impact on the population, which faces shortages of basic products, rising food costs, and increasing food insecurity. The government's inability to ensure the necessary supply has led millions of Cubans to experience daily difficulties in meeting their basic nutritional needs.
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