The Cuban regime remains trapped in its endless cycle, once again calling for the revival of sugarcane cultivation and food production in the sugar mill entities, under the familiar slogan of utilizing the island's fertile lands. According to the state-run newspaper Granma, Salvador Valdés Mesa, Vice President of the Republic and member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of Cuba, emphasized at the III Conference of the National Sugar Workers Union the necessity of approaching the upcoming sugar harvest with "responsibility and rationality," despite limited resources.
In his address, Valdés Mesa acknowledged the agricultural sector's need for significant investments to enhance yields but highlighted some positive experiences in cooperatives and agricultural production units, though these remain the minority. He also criticized some groups for failing to provide food for their own workers, which he deemed unacceptable in this crucial sector for the national economy.
The Vice President further stressed that sugar workers cannot solely rely on sugarcane planting, which spans about three to four months, and must explore other productive alternatives throughout the year. Additionally, he reiterated the importance of the workers' political and ideological efforts, especially during economic hardships, which he largely attributed to the U.S. embargo—a point he made sure to include in his speech. Unsurprisingly, those present endorsed each proposal, despite knowing they are agreeing for the umpteenth time to plans that have proven unachievable.
Historical Decline in Sugar Production
It's worth noting that the 2022-2023 sugar harvest, producing only 350,000 tons of sugar, was the worst since 1898, when in the midst of the War of Independence, Cuban mills produced 300,000 tons. This statistic underscores the dramatic decline of a sector that once positioned Cuba among the world's leading sugar exporters. Of the 455,198 tons the Cuban regime aimed to produce, only 77 percent of the planned amount was reached.
The ultimate consequence is felt by the people and their citizens. Due to the scarcity of this staple product, the price of a pound of sugar soared to 500 pesos, impacting every household across the island.