Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla expressed gratitude to China on Saturday for dispatching the third shipment of 15,000 tons of rice. This delivery is part of a larger commitment from Beijing to send a total of 60,000 tons to Havana, addressing an unprecedented food crisis on the island.
In a statement shared on his X account, Rodríguez Parrilla described the shipment as evidence of the "steadfast solidarity and friendship between both nations, shown during the most challenging times." He extended his thanks to the Chinese Communist Party, the government, and the people of China.
The cargo, consisting of 50-kilogram bags labeled "Assistance from China," "Rice from China," and "For a Shared Future" in both Chinese and Spanish, arrived Friday at the Haiphong terminal in Havana's port. The event was presided over by Vice President of the Council of Ministers, Óscar Pérez-Oliva Fraga.
China's Substantial Aid Amidst Cuba's Severe Food Shortage
The 60,000-ton donation is split into four equal shipments. The first batch reached Cuba in the spring, the second landed in Santiago de Cuba in late June, and the final shipment is expected in September, as per the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment.
This aid package was approved by Chinese President Xi Jinping in January 2026, alongside a financial assistance commitment of $80 million, as confirmed by Chinese Ambassador to Havana, Hua Xin. Including a prior shipment of 30,000 tons, the total Chinese rice pledged for Cuba in 2026 is 90,000 tons.
The scale of this support underscores the severe food shortage affecting Cuba. According to the Food Monitor Program, 96.91% of the population lacks adequate food access, and 33.9% of households have at least one member who went to bed hungry in the past month.
The Economic Strain on Cuban Families
Rice, a staple in the Cuban diet, is sold on the informal market for between 250 and over 400 pesos per pound, compared to an average state salary of about 7,000 pesos per month. In July, the Council of Ministers lifted the price cap on the grain through Decree 156, further complicating access for low-income families.
Relations between Havana and Beijing have deepened throughout 2026. Rodríguez Parrilla visited China in February as a special envoy of the regime, and in May, the two foreign ministries formally agreed to strengthen bilateral ties. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi stated at that time that "China will continue to offer support and assistance to Cuba within its means."
Cuba has also turned to donations from South Korea, Vietnam, Mexico, and the Canary Islands government to sustain basic food supplies, highlighting a structural food dependency that the island's authorities have failed to overcome after decades of centralized economic management.
Impact of China's Rice Donation on Cuba's Food Crisis
What is the total amount of rice China has pledged to send to Cuba in 2026?
China has committed to sending a total of 90,000 tons of rice to Cuba in 2026.
Why is rice so expensive in Cuba?
Rice is expensive in Cuba due to its scarcity and high demand, with prices ranging from 250 to over 400 pesos per pound on the informal market.
How has the Cuban government responded to the rising cost of rice?
In July, the Cuban government removed the price cap on rice through Decree 156, which has made it even more challenging for low-income families to access this staple.