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Belarus to Supply 50 Tractors to Cuban Regime Amid Economic Crisis

Thursday, June 26, 2025 by James Rodriguez

In the midst of a severe economic crisis and agricultural challenges, Belarus has pledged to deliver at least 50 tractors to Cuba before the end of 2025. This promise was made during Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel's official visit to the Minsk Tractor Works (MTZ) as part of his tour in Belarus. According to MTZ's General Director, Serguéi Avramenko, "we plan to supply at least 50 units of finished equipment this year."

Cuba, which has been a traditional market for MTZ since the Soviet era, continues to operate machinery that is over 50 years old. "We currently use equipment that is 30, 40, and 50 years old, which speaks to their quality and reliability," Avramenko said, according to Belarusian state news agency BelTa. However, this also highlights the significant technological stagnation facing the Caribbean nation in crucial sectors like agriculture.

The Cuban Presidency's Twitter/X account noted that Díaz-Canel toured an exhibition of industrial machinery and mentioned that "12 modern Belarús 321 m tractors have been assembled in Cuba, with another 42 to follow shortly." This initiative is part of a joint effort to rejuvenate the nation's agricultural sector.

The Bigger Picture of Cuba's Agricultural Crisis

With widespread food shortages, deteriorating agricultural infrastructure, and a mass exodus from rural areas to cities or abroad, the arrival of 50 tractors, while beneficial, falls short of addressing the enormity of the issue. Moreover, some of these tractors might be diverted to non-agricultural sectors, including construction or forestry, as explained by the Belarusian official.

"The President acknowledged the superior quality of Belarusian equipment and indicated that Cuba is open to further joint endeavors," tweeted @PresidenciaCuba. Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla described the assembly of tractors on the island as "essential" for agricultural progress.

Challenges Beyond Machinery

In Cuban fields, issues extend beyond just machinery. Without fuel, fertilizers, spare parts, or basic conditions for production and transportation, new tractors could end up as immobile as the rusting old ones at the edges of furrows.

Barter Deals: What’s the Cost?

In recent years, exchanges between the two regimes have been based on "mutual compensation" schemes, where Cuba pays not with cash but with goods like pharmaceuticals, rum, or coffee. In 2021, an agreement was made to trade Belarusian tractors and machinery for Cuban-made medicines, and in 2024, as reported by Plan B, the regime proposed paying for another batch of tractors with rum, cocoa beans, and coffee. This barter system raises questions about the exact quantity of Cuban products, their pricing, who manages them, and who oversees the transactions. The lack of transparency fuels suspicions of corruption, cronyism, and unequal distribution of benefits among government elites.

Even if the tractors do arrive, what guarantees exist that they will be allocated to food-producing farmers instead of military or export enterprises?

In January 2021, the government announced that tractors would be sold in freely convertible currency (MLC) through state stores. At that time, a Havana farmer mentioned that prices ranged from 14,000 to 27,000 USD, which remains unaffordable for most local farmers.

Key Questions About Belarus-Cuba Tractor Deal

What is the significance of Belarus supplying tractors to Cuba?

Belarus's supply of tractors is meant to aid Cuba's struggling agricultural sector, which is vital for addressing food shortages and revitalizing the nation's economy.

Why are barter deals significant in the Belarus-Cuba relationship?

Barter deals are significant because they highlight Cuba's economic challenges, where the country compensates with goods rather than cash payments, raising concerns about transparency and accountability.

How will the tractors impact Cuban agriculture?

While the tractors are a positive addition, their impact may be limited due to other ongoing issues such as lack of fuel, fertilizers, and spare parts, crucial for effective agricultural production.

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