The Cuban province of Camagüey reported a dismal sugar output of just 4,000 tons during the 2025 sugar harvest, achieving a mere 17% of its target. This further highlights the slow and painful decline of the sugar industry across various Cuban provinces. The territory's governor, Jorge Enrique Sutil Sarabia, acknowledged this at a recent meeting with local journalists, as reported by the official newspaper Adelante.
Serious logistical challenges, a shortage of fuel and lubricants, industrial breakdowns, and a loss of skilled personnel are compounding the freefall of the sugar harvest. Current production fails even to meet the basic needs of the population or social consumption, according to the source.
The Carlos Manuel de Céspedes Sugar Mill, located in the municipality of the same name, was the sole mill operating in the province, with a plan to produce 23,500 tons of sugar primarily for the province's regulated family basket, as highlighted by the official newspaper Granma in February.
Sutil, preparing to report to the 5th Ordinary Session of the National Assembly of People's Power starting July 16, admitted dissatisfaction with both his administration's and the province's performance. He also addressed the persistent power outages plaguing the region, which not only disrupt daily life but also severely impact the economy by halting production and slowing processes.
The challenges of an aging population and demographic decline are also taking a toll. Currently, Camagüey is home to approximately 653,000 residents, 24% of whom are over 60 years old. Additionally, three-quarters of the population reside in urban areas, putting a strain on already deteriorating infrastructure and basic services such as water supply, waste collection, and transportation.
On the education front, the 2024-2025 school year concluded with a 72% coverage of teaching positions, although Sutil noted that alternatives were sought to ensure every student received the necessary content.
In agriculture, despite a slight improvement in contracting, weaknesses in marketing persist due to a lack of control. "Land was given to tenants to produce food for the people, and state companies have the function of overseeing these deliveries," noted the governor.
Conversely, the food industry shows signs of recovery thanks to collaborations with the private sector, allowing for the reactivation of idle capacities, job creation, and maintaining a limited but uneven food supply. Efforts are also underway to incorporate renewable energy sources as a response to electrical instability.
The productive efforts of the Pescacam company were highlighted as exemplary, yet the report made clear that state companies, particularly those under the Ministry of Industries, are failing to meet targets and do not contribute significantly to budgetary income with a real supply of goods and services.
Amidst these challenges, Sutil noted partial progress in social areas, such as improvements in maternal homes, senior care facilities, and assistance to vulnerable individuals. However, high prices, poor road conditions, and the deteriorating aqueduct system remain sources of public discontent.
Reviewing the shared indicators, the gap between rhetoric and reality is apparent. Despite discussing "well-defined objectives," the governor admits the greatest challenge is mobilizing the populace.
A Reuters report predicted that, for the first time since the 19th century, Cuba's annual sugar production would fall below 200,000 metric tons, based on recent estimates from official reports and industry sources.
The 2024-2025 harvest in Guantánamo only reached 38% of its target, equating to roughly 2,900 tons of sugar, representing a 26% decrease compared to the previous harvest, which was already considered the worst in the history of the Argeo Martínez mill.
The Granma Government Council recently acknowledged the disastrous sugar sector output in the province, with production this year hitting just 26% of the planned sugar, marking one of the worst sugar campaigns in recent times, plagued by organizational chaos, resource shortages, and a long list of unresolved issues.
By the end of April, it was revealed that after 73 days of harvesting, the Dos Ríos mill in Palma Soriano, the only one responsible for producing raw sugar in Santiago de Cuba, had barely reached 13% of its 20,811-ton target.
Las Tunas is not lagging in this disaster. The Antonio Guiteras mill, the largest in the country, barely exceeded 11% of its plan by mid-April. During a visit to the mill, Vice Prime Minister Jorge Luis Tapia Fonseca called for extraordinary effort from his team to achieve a rebound.
The preparation of industries for grinding was severely hampered by resource shortages. The energy crisis delayed repairs in mills, mechanization workshops, and cleaning centers, in addition to limiting the production of parts and components essential for machinery.
With 350,000 tons of sugar, the 2022-2023 harvest became the worst crop since 1898, when during the Cuban War of Independence, the country's mills produced 300,000 tons.
In December 2023, the government acknowledged it is "shameful" that the nation, traditionally one of Latin America's top sugar producers, had to import this commodity.
Key Questions on Cuba's Declining Sugar Industry
What factors have contributed to the decline of the sugar industry in Camagüey?
The decline is due to logistical issues, fuel and lubricant shortages, industrial breakdowns, and a loss of skilled workers.
How has the sugar production decline affected Camagüey's economy?
The decline has hindered the ability to meet basic needs and social consumption, affecting daily life and economic activity.
What steps are being taken to address the sugar industry's challenges?
Efforts are focused on incorporating renewable energy sources and improving collaborations with the private sector to reactivate capacities and sustain food supply.