Havana Faces Bread Shortage as Cuba Cuts Subsidy
On Monday, Cuba’s communist-run government announced a 25% reduction in the weight of daily bread rations, marking the latest shortage to impact the decades-old subsidy system established by Fidel Castro. The bread, a staple of the ration, will now weigh 60 grams (2.1 oz), equivalent to the size of a cookie or soap bar. Despite a slight price reduction to just under 1 peso (1/3 of a cent), many Cubans struggle to afford bread on the private market, given their meager earnings of approximately 4648 pesos ($15) per month. **Shortage Blamed on U.S. Trade Embargo** The Cuban government has attributed the bread shortage to a lack of wheat flour, which the nation relies on imports to produce bread. The government alleges that the U.S. trade embargo, a complex network of restrictions, has hindered Cuba’s global financial transactions, making it difficult to obtain necessary supplies. The island nation is currently experiencing widespread shortages of food, fuel, and medicine, contributing to a record-breaking exodus of citizens to the United States.
Ration System Under Strain
The Cuban ration book, known as “libreta,” was once a cornerstone of Castro’s 1959 revolution, providing discounted basic necessities to all Cubans. Today, however, the crisis-ridden government offers only a limited selection of these products, which often arrive late, in poor quality, or not at all. Residents have expressed dissatisfaction with the declining quality of the bread, despite the government’s commitment to strengthen inspections at state bakeries to ensure quality standards.
Rationing Practices Globally
Beyond the few remaining centrally planned economies like Cuba and North Korea, rationing is generally uncommon, typically employed during wartime, natural disasters, or specific emergencies. The Cuban situation highlights the unique challenges faced by centralized economies in times of scarcity, where government policies can significantly impact the welfare of citizens.
Cuba Seeks International Assistance
In addition to the bread shortage, Cuba has also faced dwindling supplies of subsidized powdered milk for children, a key staple in the ration book. The government has sought assistance from the World Food Programme to guarantee the supply of milk. This appeal for international aid underscores the severity of Cuba’s economic situation and the urgent need for support to address the ongoing shortages.
