The Cuban government is gearing up for the 4th International Fair of Food, Beverages, Packaging, and Food Technology Cuba 2024, while supermarket shelves remain empty and inflation erodes citizens' purchasing power. The event will take place in Havana from May 21 to 23 at the Pabexpo exhibition center. Even before its inauguration, the fair is attracting criticism, as authorities appear to be "counting money in front of the poor," showcasing products meant for export that are rarely accessible to Cubans.
The fair will feature exhibitors from 20 countries, including delegations from Germany, Argentina, Brazil, Belgium, Canada, Colombia, Spain, the United States, Italy, Mexico, Namibia, Panama, Uruguay, the Dominican Republic, China, Turkey, and Venezuela, among others. The government claims the goal is to explore opportunities for food production in Cuba, with a focus on both the local population and the tourism sector.
Vice Minister of the Food Industry, Javier Francisco Aguiar Rodríguez, emphasized the importance of joint ventures with foreign capital and the involvement of Cubans living abroad in seeking economic alliances. "We will be able to increase exports, which are so necessary for the country at this time. We aim to generate higher revenues to acquire raw materials, fuels, and many of the products that the population needs and that are currently lacking in the daily lives of Cubans," he told Cubadebate.
However, the contradiction between the abundance the government aims to display at the fair and the scarcity on Cuban streets highlights the tensions between domestic needs and the State's economic strategies. The event comes at a time when the lack of basic foods such as milk, bread, rice, meat, sugar, and coffee worsens the already difficult situation for many Cubans, who see high-quality productions being allocated to markets outside the country.
The Food Fair underscores the complex dynamic between local production and market demands in a country with deep economic disparities, where the average salary is insufficient to make ends meet, and putting a meal on the table becomes increasingly expensive.
Understanding the Impact of Cuba's Food Fair
Given the context of the food fair in Cuba, it's essential to delve deeper into its implications and the questions surrounding it. Below are some frequently asked questions and their answers for a better understanding of the situation.
Why is the food fair in Cuba attracting criticism?
The food fair is attracting criticism because it showcases products meant for export that are rarely accessible to ordinary Cubans, highlighting the disparity between the government's economic strategies and the actual needs of the population.
What are the main goals of the food fair according to the Cuban government?
According to the Cuban government, the main goals of the food fair are to explore opportunities for food production within the country and to increase exports, thereby generating higher revenues to acquire necessary raw materials and products.
Who is participating in the food fair?
The food fair will feature exhibitors from 20 countries, including Germany, Argentina, Brazil, Belgium, Canada, Colombia, Spain, the United States, Italy, Mexico, Namibia, Panama, Uruguay, the Dominican Republic, China, Turkey, and Venezuela.