The food insecurity experienced by the Cuban population is increasing exposure to deficiency diseases, affecting physical and cognitive development, and weakening the body's defenses.
The Food Monitor Program (FMP) warned this Monday that the diet of the majority of households is highly repetitive, lacking in micronutrients and fiber, and reliant on ultraprocessed foods like ground beef and sausages, instead of fresh proteins such as fish or beef.
This inadequate nutrition, warns the FMP, maintains a "hidden hunger" that directly impacts health and quality of life.
To illustrate the magnitude of the problem, the observatory revealed that two adults in Havana would need at least 41,735 pesos monthly to afford a barely sufficient diet, an amount equivalent to almost 20 minimum wages or two years of minimum pensions in Cuba.
The monitoring, conducted over a six-month period, assessed 29 products from eight food groups in both state and private networks, aiming to meet the basic requirements for two healthy young adults.
Even prioritizing cheaper and less nutritious foods, the basic food basket remains unattainable for most households.
The FMP emphasizes that the basic food basket should be used to determine minimum wages, poverty lines, and public policies. However, in Cuba, consumption does not reflect cultural habits or nutritional guidelines, but rather what the State allows or the market imposes.
The organization emphasizes that this indicator should be understood as an ethical and political tool, and calls for ensuring the right to adequate food for all Cubans.
"In Cuba, where the State has de facto delegated food responsibility to the informal market and individual effort, access to a basic diet is not guaranteed by either income or public policy," FMP emphasized.
The food crisis in Cuba has reached a level where eating properly is, for many, a privilege.
Although the organization has revealed the high cost of the basic food basket, it has also warned about the , noting that an increasing number of Cubans can only manage to have one meal a day due to inflation and scarcity.
Recent reports indicate that more than nine million people in Cuba are cooking under poor conditions, with limited access to fuels and lacking basic equipment, which not only reduces the variety of foods they can consume but also impacts the way they are prepared.
In addition, one in four people admits to having gone to bed without dinner, highlighting how hunger has become a daily reality. These figures reveal a chronic food insecurity that directly affects millions of families.
The situation is worsening in a context that many compare to the Special Period, though now with less state support, greater reliance on the informal market, and a rationing system that is almost symbolic.
Access to sufficient and dignified food is no longer a temporary issue; it has become a structural feature of exclusion and neglect on the island.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Food Crisis in Cuba
What is the cost of the basic basket in Cuba?
The cost of the basic food basket for two adults in Havana is 41,735 pesos per month, according to the Food Monitor Program (FMP). This figure is equivalent to nearly 20 minimum salaries, making it unattainable for the majority of the Cuban population. The situation is similar in other provinces such as Cienfuegos, where the cost is 39,595 pesos.
What impact does the current diet have on the health of Cubans?
The diet predominantly based on ultraprocessed foods and low in micronutrients is causing "hidden hunger," affecting physical and cognitive development and weakening the body's defenses. This increases the risk of deficiency diseases, harming the health and quality of life of Cubans.
What role does the Cuban government play in the food crisis?
The Cuban government has de facto delegated food security to the informal market and individual efforts, instead of ensuring access to a basic diet through effective public policies. Official figures underestimate the actual cost of the basic basket, and the ration book has ceased to be a guarantee of food security.
How does the economic crisis affect food security in Cuba?
The combination of inflation, food shortages, and the deterioration of public services has created a structural crisis in access to food. 96.91% of Cubans have lost access to food due to inflation, and many rely on the informal market to meet their basic needs. Food insecurity has become a norm in daily life.
What solutions have been proposed to improve the food situation in Cuba?
To address the food crisis in Cuba, several structural measures have been proposed, such as dismantling the GAESA monopoly, ensuring private ownership for farmers, allowing the free trade of agricultural products, and opening the economy to investment from the diaspora. However, without deep political changes, these solutions are unlikely to be effective.
Filed under:
