The Cuban regime began to sell a regulated pound of beans for 280 Cuban pesos (CUP) per person in Isla de la Juventud.
This measure is part of a scheme that removes intermediaries and delivers the grain directly from the harvest to the warehouses.
According to a report from Canal Caribe, the beans were produced by farmers in the region. The state-owned company ACOPIO gathered the grains from the farms for subsequent distribution to the commerce units.
"I feel happy because the people of the Island are eating what I was able to produce," said one of the farmers. An elderly woman interviewed noted, "We are very happy."
The authorities present the measure as an achievement, aligning with the official policy that each municipality must be self-sufficient without relying on the transportation of food between territories. However, the productive reality of the country falls short of meeting the basic needs of the population.
One pound per person barely suffices for a couple of lunches in Cuba. The price—although lower than that of the informal market—remains high for most Cuban workers.
At the beginning of 2026, the average monthly salary is around 6,830 CUP. This amounts to about 24 pounds of beans per month, but a person doesn't live on grains alone. Access to food is becoming an increasingly complex issue in Cuba.
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