In a scenario reminiscent of an endless saga or a recurring tale, the issue of the basic food basket has once again taken center stage in Cuba's news. This Monday, the long-awaited quota rice finally reached families in the eastern provinces. With only a few days left in June, the cereal will be distributed to households, according to statements by Edelva Marín, the provincial coordinator of Commerce and Services, on state-run Canal Caribe, as cited by the official newspaper Granma.
Highlighted by the Ministry of Domestic Trade (MINCIN) on social network X, the unloading of the product began last Friday at the Guillermón Moncada port in Santiago de Cuba. This action enables the restoration of a distribution schedule typically conducted in the first days of each month. This importation will ensure "one kilogram per age group and an additional donation to all consumers this month," as well as four pounds per person, the official added.
"We will make a direct delivery to reach the population as soon as possible, and later complete the three pounds plus the supplement," explained Marín. Additionally, the MINCIN reported that the arrival of this vessel at the Santiago de Cuba port will allow them to meet commitments in Granma.
Although the arrival of rice offers some relief to the public, it merely scratches the surface of the issues surrounding the regulated family basket. The past few months have been marked by delayed deliveries of products (which are increasingly scarce), with some items like coffee and oil disappearing for months.
Among other factors, these delays are attributed to the lack of national production and the necessity to rely on imports. In the case of rice, 700,000 tons are required to cover the basic basket and the so-called "social consumption" (hospitals, schools, workers' canteens, and military units).
From the beginning of the year, delays in the food basket distribution have been a recurring topic among the population. On May 22, Betsy Díaz Velázquez, Minister of Domestic Trade, attempted to justify the situation on the official TV program Mesa Redonda. She noted that three or four years ago, products were available in stores in the first days of each month. Now, "ships need to be unloaded, transported to provincial capitals, then to municipalities, and finally to the network of stores. It's very difficult to manage the timing when you rely solely on imports," she said.
According to Díaz Velázquez, the responsibility lies with port operations, distribution mechanisms, and even the weather. Meanwhile, the population suffers due to diminished quality, delivery delays of several months, substitution of milk for other products, and delays in distributing food to vulnerable groups such as children and pregnant women.
Challenges in Cuba's Food Distribution System
In light of recent delays and challenges in Cuba's food distribution system, here are some frequently asked questions and their answers.
Why are there delays in the distribution of the basic food basket in Cuba?
The delays are primarily due to a lack of national production and the reliance on imports, which require complex logistics to distribute across the country.
How much rice is needed to meet Cuba's basic food basket requirements?
Cuba needs 700,000 tons of rice annually to cover both the basic food basket and social consumption requirements.
What factors contribute to the delays in food distribution?
Factors include port operations, distribution logistics, weather conditions, and the dependency on imports.