NewsCuban food crisis deepens, sparking severe poverty concerns

Cuban food crisis deepens, sparking severe poverty concerns

Human rights organizations point out that the increasing food shortages in stores are deepening poverty
Human rights organizations point out that the increasing food shortages in stores are deepening poverty
Images source: © Getty Images | Roberto Machado Noa
Michał Krawiel

8 August 2024 10:29

In Cuba, problems with the supply of basic food products are becoming increasingly severe—independent Cuban portals report. Human rights organizations point out that escalating food shortages in Cuban stores are deepening the poverty of residents.

In Cuba, problems are mounting related to shortages of basic foodstuffs, independent Cuban portals reported on Wednesday.

According to information provided by the 14ymedio portal on Wednesday, Cuban stores especially lack powdered milk, poultry, oil, sausages, and pasta.

Similar reports appeared in the government newspaper '5 de Septiembre,' which notes that the escalating food shortages are due to the implementation of price caps and the intense activity of the black market. According to the newspaper, food products are being purchased en masse by people engaged in street trading.

Human rights organizations emphasize that the deepening shortages of goods in Cuban stores are contributing to increasing poverty among the island's residents.

Not only stores. Cuba has problems

In recent months, Cuba has also dealt with other issues, such as power outages, rising fuel prices, and declining agricultural and industrial production.

Government data confirm the dramatic decline in food production on the island. Information from the National Office of Statistics and Information (Onei) in Havana indicates that food production has decreased by almost 70 percent over the past five years.

The government-run Cuban institution points out that particularly severe reductions in production have affected pork, rice, and bread.

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