The agro-commercial fair in the city of Las Tunas returned this Saturday to the 26 de Julio park, receiving praise from the digital portal Tiempo 21 and facing criticism from citizens who questioned the prices, the quality of the products, and the difficulties in accessing an offer that quickly runs out.
"There is everything, but by the time you go, there's nothing left," summarized a citizen in the comments of the post on Facebook, a phrase that contrasts with the positive assessment broadcasted by the state media regarding the "quality, variety, and prices" of products from the Provincial Integrated Company of the Food Industry.
The price of bananas drew a lot of complaints. At the market, they were sold for 60 pesos each, higher than the prices some residents reported finding at informal sales points in the municipality.
"The prices are higher than those on the street; at the sawmill, they sell bananas for 35, 40, 45, and 50 pesos each, and at the market for 60 pesos, and they are nothing but peels," wrote a user. Others questioned the quality of the products and described the bananas as "just peels."
The difficulties do not end with prices. Several citizens reported that the stalls do not systematically accept electronic payments, posing a barrier for those who do not have cash.
"The fisherman told me: we accept it, but I left the QR code behind," a neighbor recounted about his attempt to buy fish. Another explained why he has stopped attending the event. "I've lost the desire and motivation to go because they never accept electronic payments... to go that far and come back just as I went, or worse, with my pride trampled and feeling incredibly tired."
The shortage of products throughout the day also fueled discontent. According to a comment, the lack of purchase limits per person allows those with cash to buy what's available early, while others return empty-handed.
"There is such a need, and every 15 days, that anyone who has cash takes advantage because there are no limits," noted a citizen.
Some critics also questioned the fair's value as a response to supply difficulties. One local resident stated that some officials attend just to pose for cameras and described the event as "just publicity" to showcase the displayed products, even though many state employees cannot afford to buy them.
Another comment highlighted the gap between prices and the income of a significant portion of the population. "Unattainable for state workers who earn starvation wages and retirees with pitiful pensions," wrote a user.
The criticisms have been recurring for months. In May, the provincial government cancelled the fair, citing a lack of fuel to transport products from the municipalities, while in Havana, they mobilized dozens of buses for a political event called by the Young Communist League in support of Raúl Castro.
In June, during the edition for Father's Day, yogurt was sold for 490 pesos and ice cream for 1,460 pesos. In July, a dozen eggs reached 2,600 pesos, an amount that at the time corresponded to nearly 85% of the minimum monthly pension.
The July edition was presented by Tiempo 21 as "a challenge to resilience", but some citizens referred to it as "the fair of misery" and "a theater." The complaints from this Saturday once again call into question the ability of these events to alleviate the daily hardships faced by the residents of Tunas.
The economic context exacerbates the difficulties in taking advantage of these offers. The average state salary is around 7,074 pesos per month, while independent estimates place the cost of basic needs for a person between 50,000 and 96,000 pesos per month.
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