Cattle Ranchers in Las Tunas Face Severe Crisis Amidst Theft and Unpaid Debts

The cattle industry in Las Tunas finds itself in dire straits, grappling with severe shortages of animal feed, mounting unpaid debts, and persistent theft of livestock. This grim scenario was acknowledged by Cuba's Deputy Prime Minister, Jorge Luis Tapia Fonseca, during a recent meeting with local ranchers, as reported by the state-run newspaper Periódico 26.

During the discussion with around fifty producers from the eight municipalities of Las Tunas, Tapia highlighted the deep institutional neglect plaguing the cattle sector. He admitted that despite numerous material challenges, essential tasks within the industry are being neglected.

Among the most pressing issues are the inadequate distribution of breeding stock, insufficient planting of animal feed, water shortages, and a lack of interest among the younger generation to join the agricultural workforce or pursue related specializations. Tapia also pointed out the loss of cattle farming culture, which has led to low birth rates and a rising number of deaths due to malnutrition.

The rampant theft of livestock, occurring both day and night, has left producers extremely vulnerable. Many ranchers used the meeting as an opportunity to voice their grievances about the neglect from agro-industrial companies, cooperative boards, and other state entities. They also complained about the Dairy Products Company owing them several months' payments for milk, cheese, and transportation of these goods. Meanwhile, the Livestock Control Center imposes heavy fines for any losses due to theft or unauthorized slaughter.

The bureaucratic delays in expanding land for those who already own more than ten cows further hinder the growth and sustainability of the farms. Cuba's cattle industry is suffering from a profound structural crisis, marked by a staggering number of irregularities and crimes affecting both production and the security of ranchers.

A national audit in February 2025 uncovered over 180,000 illegalities in cattle management, including unreported births, missing animals, illicit sales, and undocumented deaths. This situation underscores the administrative chaos and the state's inability to effectively oversee livestock production in the country.

The economic fallout from this cattle collapse is also impacting the processing industry. The company Río Zaza recently halted its operations due to an outstanding debt of 150 million pesos owed to producers, exemplifying the institutionalized non-payment that exacerbates the lack of incentives for ranchers and jeopardizes the supply chain of dairy and meat products.

Security concerns have further compounded the crisis. A recent report highlighted the plight of many farmers, including an elderly individual in Las Tunas who opted to sell his cattle due to the constant threat of theft and illegal slaughter—a practice that not only diminishes his income but also depletes the already dwindling national herd.

Adding to this dire situation is the rise of criminal networks engaged in the illegal slaughter of cattle, such as the one dismantled by the Ministry of the Interior (MININT) in Santa Clara last March, where over 300 pounds of illegally processed meat were seized. This surge in illicit activities not only reveals the inadequacy of state controls but also the pressure of a widespread food crisis pushing segments of the population to resort to illegal measures to survive.