Individuals will also be able to shop at the new Mercado de Abasto.CU approved by the Cuban regime, although they must do so under the conditions set by each distributor. This measure dispels the notion that such establishments will be reserved exclusively for companies or businesses and is part of a new attempt by the government to reorganize wholesale trade amid the prolonged supply crisis the island is experiencing.
The possibility was detailed in the , published this Tuesday in the Extraordinary Official Gazette No. 84, which approves the regulations for the operation of the Mercado de Abasto.cu. The provision establishes that this new market model aims to facilitate direct access to wholesale trade for both individuals and legal entities.
According to the resolution, the Mercado de Abasto.CU will be a space where sellers and buyers come together under the principle of supply and demand, with wholesale sales in various formats. It will allow participation from state-owned enterprises, non-state management forms, national and local producers, importers, marketers, and even foreign investment modalities.
Who will be able to buy?
One of the most striking aspects of the new regulation is that sales will not be restricted solely to companies or economic agents.
The regulation states that individuals will also be able to make wholesale purchases, although it will be up to each seller to determine the lots or minimum quantities that must be purchased.
This means that a citizen will be able to access the market as long as they meet the purchasing conditions established by the seller, whose minimum volume has not yet been defined generally and will depend on each operator.
Additionally, the market will be able to operate in both Cuban pesos and foreign currencies, will issue invoices, must ensure electronic payments, and will also be able to utilize e-commerce, including payments made from abroad. The resolution also provides for the creation of membership mechanisms or partnerships, offering discounts or other benefits to those who join them.
How will it work?
The Ministry of Domestic Trade defines the Mercado de Abasto.cu as an alternative for reorganizing wholesale trade in Cuba.
The facilities can be located in warehouses, spacious stores, or open areas, preferably in urban or suburban areas with easy access for delivery vehicles and customers. The administrative management may fall under one or several entities, while the managing entity will be responsible for establishing contractual relationships, organizing market operations, and providing logistical services.
Among the operational priorities are the marketing of supplies, raw materials, food, and other high-demand products, with the stated goal of reducing logistics costs and providing a greater diversity of offerings.
A new piece in the economic restructuring
The creation of the Mercado de Abasto.cu is part of the economic regulations package published this Tuesday in the Official Gazette, which also includes new regulations about the importation, manufacturing, and assembly of vehicles on the island.
However, the measure is also part of a broader process of changes in wholesale trade regulations driven by the Government in recent years.
In 2024, the regime tightened control over wholesale trade through new provisions that limited the ability of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (mipymes) to carry out this activity independently and reinforced the role of the State in the distribution of goods.
This is complemented by other measures approved this year to ease the marketing of agricultural products in a context characterized by a decline in national production and ongoing shortages.
Related videos:
Filed under: