The Minister of Food Industry of Cuba, Alberto López Díaz, defended the sale of products in dollars as a means to sustain food production, claiming that it “brings benefits to the population.”
During a visit to companies in Mayabeque, broadcasted by the Provincial Telecentro Telemayabeque, the official acknowledged that the utilization of the industry is “below its installed capacity” due to a lack of raw materials, but stated that the foreign currency collected from online markets and hard currency stores allows for the purchase of supplies and keeps production active.
“Companies must defend their foreign currency revenues. It's not what we want, but it has been demonstrated that with those revenues, raw materials are purchased and food is produced for the population,” stated López Díaz.
The minister's words contrast with the complaints from citizens who are expressing on social media the impossibility of accessing basic products in a country where the average salary barely hovers around 20 dollars in the informal market.
Just weeks ago, a Cuban woman in Guantánamo revealed on TikTok that a piece of beef could cost over 70 dollars, an "unaffordable" price for most families.
“Cubans cannot afford this”, she said indignantly, while recording empty shelves and essential items at international prices.
In March, the government announced as “good news” the reopening of the 5th and 96 store in Havana, also in dollars, and in August it opened a supermarket in the lower levels of the Focsa, managed by GAESA, where payments are only accepted in green bills.
In all cases, access is restricted to those who receive remittances or handle foreign currencies, while the markets in Cuban pesos remain undersupplied.
Economists like Pedro Monreal have warned that this model does not resolve the production crisis nor guarantee stability, and instead, deepens social inequality between those who have access to dollars and those who rely solely on the devalued Cuban peso.
The proliferation of these exclusive currency stores, which now exceed 85 nationwide, has been presented by the authorities as a mechanism to finance the industry. However, for millions of Cubans, it represents a daily sentence with salaries that are inadequate, food that is out of reach, and an economic model that normalizes exclusion.
While the minister claims that selling in dollars "brings benefits to the population," more and more families are facing the dilemma of surviving in a country where buying a pound of chicken or a liter of oil can cost the equivalent of several months' worth of work.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Sale of Food in Dollars in Cuba
Why does the Cuban government defend the sale of food in dollars?
The Cuban government defends the sale of food in dollars as a way to sustain food production, arguing that the foreign currency collected allows for the purchase of supplies and keeps production active. However, this measure has been criticized for deepening social inequality, as only those who have access to foreign currency can shop in these stores, leaving a large part of the population without access to basic products.
What is the impact of the dollarization of trade on the Cuban population?
The dollarization of trade has accentuated social inequality in Cuba. The majority of Cubans do not have access to dollars, which prevents them from purchasing food and basic products at international prices in dollar stores. Meanwhile, markets in Cuban pesos are facing severe shortages, affecting the quality of life for the population and generating social unrest.
How does the sale in dollars affect access to basic products in Cuba?
Access to basic products in Cuba is increasingly conditioned by the ability to obtain dollars. This means that those without access to this currency face restricted access to food and essential items, as stores in Cuban pesos are not sufficiently stocked, which increases economic and social inequality in the country.
What criticisms have been made of the dollar store model in Cuba?
Economists and citizens have criticized that the model of dollar stores does not resolve the production crisis nor guarantees economic stability. In contrast, it has been pointed out that this model deepens social inequality, as only those with access to dollars can purchase essential products, while the majority of the population, which relies on the devalued Cuban peso, remains excluded.
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