• Submitted by: manso
• Business and Economy
• 08 / 22 / 2010

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CUBA’s economic difficulties, increased by the global crisis and the ironclad U.S. government blockade, have not deterred the search for solutions to improve Cubans’ social lives.

"I used to buy in a supply and demand outlet in Playa municipality and there, agricultural produce is priced very high. It’s the first time that I’ve been to the Fair and I’m delighted," affirms Rebeca Reyes, as she pulls an improvised shopping cart full of fruits, and root and green vegetables along the busy Salvador Allende Avenue in the capital.

Like Rebeca, close to 80,000 Cubans head for that well-known arterial road every weekend, where a large provincial gastronomic and trade fair has been underway since the beginning of this year, with the aim of bringing services closer to the population.

These areas, also described as ferias populares (popular fairs), are serviced by Havana’s Commercial and Gastronomic Enterprises Union, its fisheries unit, and urban and agricultural market representatives.

They are joined by cultural agencies from a number of municipalities, community projects and the Institute of Sport, Physical Education and Leisure, to bring the clientele participative games, sports exhibitions and recreational activities.

These fairs, which are the simplest form of trade and also respond to cultural traditions dating back to the colonial period, also demonstrate a government interest in promoting national industry as an effective means of confronting the island’s dependency on foreign markets.

Ivonne Echevarría Lara, director of the publicity department of the City of Havana Commercial and Gastronomic Enterprises Union, explained that, thanks to government interest in increasing food and recreational options for the people, other fairs have been permanently opened at four points in the capital.

"At the same time they are being organized on a rotating basis in every municipality constituency, so that everybody has access to them," she noted.

In Cuba, this event is beginning to stand out for its quality, low prices of goods for sale locally, rigorous control in relation to client services, and the serious way in which they are organized by government authorities.

Vladimir Carralera, director of the 10 de Octubre municipality Basic Unit, which has a presence at the Plaza Roja fair in La Víbora – another enclave that has acquired provincial category given its magnitude – stated that the price of products is approved by the People’s Administration Council after a quarterly analysis, which has to take into account the quality of what is sold and demand patterns, among other aspects.

The variety of products on sale is the responsibility of local government working with state enterprises and campesinos; in the case of produce at the farmers’ markers diversity is subordinated to the season of the year, he added.

While industrial production in the agricultural sector still requires balance, the provincial fairs have almost achieved stability in sales of lemon and bitter orange juice, vinegar and cooking wine for marinades. These are certified by the Ministry of Public Health which, via a specialist, takes sworn statements and confirms that the products are harmless.

Although their principal objective is to strengthen trade and domestic services, these ferias populares are also attempting to promote culture and a healthy lifestyle, and include diversions and entertainment for those attending, whatever their age.

By: Livia Rodríguez Delis

Source: Granma