The production of sugar in Cuba fell to less than 150,000 tons in the 2024-2025 harvest, marking a historic low that has not been recorded in over 100 years.
The collapse, producing less than half of what was generated in the previous campaign, left the country far below the state plan and revealed the collapse of an industry that for decades was a symbol of national pride.
In the midst of this crisis, the regime organized this August a national day of “voluntary and productive work” in the sugarcane fields, dedicated to the 99th anniversary of Fidel Castro's birth and the 65th of the Federation of Cuban Women (FMC).
The call was made in all producing provinces, except for Havana, Pinar del Río, and the Isle of Youth.
A television report from the Canal Caribe showcased leaders and women's brigades engaged in cane cleaning efforts at the Agricultural Production Cooperative (CPA) Amistad Cuba-Cambodia in Mayabeque.
To make matters worse, the planned planting could not be carried out due to rain, but it was reported that about 20 hectares were cleared out of a total of 40 that were planted.
It is common for government organizations to hold these types of activities around commemorative dates to project an image of support for agricultural work, although their real impact on production tends to be limited.
Local authorities stated that the goal is to reach 10,000 hectares planted this year, with their sights set on the 2027 harvest, when they expect to cover 70% of the sugarcane areas and achieve yields of 40 tons per hectare.
However, the official response contrasts with the dramatic figures from the last campaign. For example, in provinces like Villa Clara, sugar production has not met targets since 2019.
This year, the Héctor Rodríguez and Quintín Bandera sugar mills reported yields below 50% of what was planned, due to low plantings, lack of seeds, and incomplete industrial repairs, in an environment characterized by improvisation.
In Granma, the situation is not any better. There, the harvest ended with only 5,277 tons of sugar, far from the nearly 20,000 that were expected. The Enidio Díaz Machado mill was the last to process, failing to make up for the poor results of the other mills that operated at minimal capacities.
For its part, Camagüey, with a plan of 23,500 tons, produced only 4,000. The Carlos Manuel de Céspedes mill, the only one in the province, lost 87% of its milling time due to breakdowns, technical deficiencies, and shortages of supplies. Authorities acknowledged the seriousness of the outcome.
Guantánamo harvested only 2,900 tons, 38% of the target. The start was delayed by more than 40 days, and the Argeo Martínez mill operated with instability, despite the investments made. Production was even lower than the previous year.
In Las Tunas, the Antonio Guiteras sugar mill barely achieved 16% of its plan due to stoppages caused by a lack of basic resources. This was the worst campaign in the history of the largest sugar mill in the country.
Ciego de Ávila, meanwhile, did not have the Primero de Enero sugar mill in the competition due to an electricity debt that led to its shutdown. Workers reported forced relocations and delays in salary payments, amidst an institutional crisis with no response.
The sugar crisis, which began with the massive closure of mills in 2002, prevents meeting internal consumption, estimated at 600,000 to 700,000 tons per year, and forces the import of sugar to satisfy minimum demand.
For decades, the sugar harvest was an economic engine and an essential part of Cuban identity. Today, the reality in the fields reflects neglect, improvisation, and a lack of resources, while the government appeals to the mystique of "volunteer work" in an attempt to revive a sector that shows no signs of recovery.
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