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Camagüey expects to distribute in October the rice that was supposed to be delivered in June, as well as part of that for July, according to the Provincial Wholesale Food Company (EMPA).
The company announced that in the coming days, five pounds of rice will be delivered per consumer. The product is part of a shipment that will arrive at the port of Nuevitas and includes allocations for Ciego de Ávila and Las Tunas.
According to the information published by Adelante, “with the approximately 1,300 tons that will be unloaded for the province, it is possible to cover the remaining two pounds per consumer for June, and start with a partial three for July.”
In the case of sugar, distributions have concluded in Nuevitas, Minas, Sierra de Cubitas, Esmeralda, Guáimaro, Sibanicú, Florida, Céspedes, and Santa Cruz del Sur. Work is now underway on deliveries to Camagüey, Najasa, and Jimaguayú.
The warehouses in Florida and Camagüey are still awaiting the salt from September, although the company assured that there are sufficient inventories. The compota has completed its sixth round, and the seventh is in the initial phase of commercialization.
Regarding cigars, the company specified that the September quotas—four packs and one cigar per consumer—will begin distribution in Guáimaro and in the city of Camagüey.
Currently, there are no announcements regarding the availability of personal care products, oil, or coffee.
In September, a Cuban user shared a video on TikTok showing the purchase of rice "corresponding to June" at her grocery store, generating over a million views and thousands of comments about the scarcity and delays in deliveries. The testimony can be seen in the report “We are in September, but the rice from June just arrived”, where the young woman demonstrates how she picks up the product three months later than expected.
Meanwhile, during an official visit to Laos, Miguel Díaz-Canel thanked the government of that country for what he described as an “extraordinary contribution to rice production in Cuba from Lao seeds.” This statement contrasts with the situation described in the article “The Rice That Never Arrives: The Contrast Between Díaz-Canel's Tweets and the Cuban Reality”, which exposes the widespread delays and the collapse of cereal production in the country.
According to official data cited in that report, domestic production only meets about 20% of internal consumption, while demand exceeds 600,000 tons annually. The remainder relies on imports and occasional donations from allied countries.
The delay in the family basket also affects other basic products. In September, authorities from the Las Tunas Business Group of Commerce reported that the population would receive "only one pound of sugar per person" in the monthly distribution, a measure that reflects the crisis in the sugar sector. The information is detailed in “Government will distribute only one pound of sugar per person in Las Tunas”.
In the case of Camagüey, the EMPA confirmed that the delivery of sugar has been completed in several municipalities and that, for now, there are no announcements regarding the availability of cleaning supplies, oil, or coffee.
The arrival of the 1,300 tons of rice will partially help to address the delays from June and initiate the distribution for July, although families in Camagüey will continue to receive the most basic products of the staple basket with several months of delay.
Frequently Asked Questions about Food Distribution in Cuba
Why are there delays in the distribution of rice in Camagüey?
Delays in rice distribution in Camagüey are due to problems in national production and reliance on imports. Domestic production only meets 20% of demand, creating a crisis that is reflected in the late delivery of basic goods through the supply booklet.
What amount of rice is expected to be delivered in Camagüey this month?
It is planned to distribute five pounds of rice per consumer in Camagüey in October, corresponding to the delays from June and part of July. This delivery is part of a shipment of approximately 1,300 tons that will be unloaded at the port of Nuevitas.
How does the food crisis affect access to other basic goods in Cuba?
The food crisis in Cuba severely impacts access to basic products such as sugar, oil, and coffee. These products are distributed irregularly or are unavailable, forcing Cubans to seek alternatives in the informal market at inflated prices.
What measures has the Cuban government taken to tackle food shortages?
The Cuban government has attempted to tackle the food shortage through imports and donations from allied countries. However, these measures are insufficient to meet internal demand, and the situation remains critical for many families on the island.
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