Osbel Lorenzo Rodríguez, the first secretary of the Communist Party in Las Tunas, recently expressed his dissatisfaction with the performance of local food industry companies. During a meeting with their management teams, he called for tangible outcomes amid the ongoing struggle with inadequate food production.
"Put yourself in the shoes of the people, the elderly in nursing homes, the children in daycare centers, and the patients in hospitals and other health facilities who receive insufficient nutrition because we fail to find alternatives to increase food production," Rodríguez emphasized, as reported by Tiempo 21, a provincial outlet of Radio Victoria, on Thursday.
The assessment revealed that except for Intalsur, all entities within the system are failing to meet their production and economic targets, resulting in significant financial losses and a continued shortage of food availability.
The meat and dairy industries have partly blamed their challenges on agriculture's failure to deliver raw materials, particularly meat and milk. Both sectors are exploring partnerships with non-state economic actors to boost production and utilize underused capacities.
Meanwhile, the Provincial Integrated Food Industry Company is using just 25% of its installed capacity in its mini-industries. This entity also faces challenges in overseeing some private actors who cooperatively produce goods in its bakeries.
The Beverage and Soft Drink Company is struggling with the supply of alcohol and other raw materials contracted with the sugar sector. Technological obsolescence and frequent equipment breakdowns exacerbate production limitations, although the company has reserves to increase and diversify its offerings.
The Fishing Company also raises concerns, failing to meet its capture and aquaculture production plans despite having financing mechanisms that ensure fuel and other resources. It has yet to secure viable business deals with foreign investors or local economic actors to enhance its performance.
In contrast, Intalsur stands out as a model for its partnerships with the private sector and search for productive alternatives. As a subsidiary of the Provincial Integrated Company, it is the exception in a landscape marked by failures from other entities.
During the session, Lorenzo urged leaders to seize the opportunities presented by the 176 approved economic and social transformations in the country, establish productive linkages, and seek viable business ventures, all while considering the impact of prices on the public.
"No one is authorized to fail to meet plans," Lorenzo warned, stressing the need to change the situation with concrete results.
The official evaluation highlighted the gap between the demands of the authorities and the ability of state enterprises to ensure sufficient food production.
What makes the party leader's admission more striking is that this is not a new diagnosis. In April 2025, Lorenzo had already chastised state executives with the same phrase—"people don't eat explanations"—in response to a similar scarcity scenario. The repetition of this message a year and a half later underscores that the situation has not improved.
The decline in Las Tunas is underscored by specific figures. The biweekly agro-commercial fair in the province was dubbed the "fair of misery" in July, with eggs priced at 2,600 pesos per carton and bananas at 40 pesos each, prices unattainable with a minimum pension of 4,000 pesos per month.
In August, a retiree from Manatí complained about eggs costing 135 pesos each, nearly equivalent to her 4,478 pesos pension after more than 30 years of work.
That same month, the government reopened a state-run restaurant in Las Tunas, showcasing photos of empty tables while locals took to social media to protest the lack of food, water, and electricity. Ironically, amid this situation, authorities launched a crackdown on the private sector, closing 22 establishments, revoking eight licenses, and issuing fines exceeding 1.2 million pesos in roughly a week.
Understanding Cuba's Food Industry Challenges
What are the main challenges facing the food industry in Las Tunas?
The food industry in Las Tunas faces challenges such as insufficient raw material supply, underutilized production capacities, technological obsolescence, and economic inefficiencies that lead to unmet production targets and financial losses.
How does Intalsur differ from other entities in the food sector?
Intalsur is considered a model entity due to its successful partnerships with the private sector and its proactive search for productive alternatives, making it an exception in a sector otherwise marked by systemic failures.
What measures are being suggested to improve food production in Las Tunas?
Measures include leveraging the 176 approved economic and social transformations, establishing productive linkages, exploring viable business ventures, and considering the impact of pricing on the population.