What began as an orderly line at La Época store in Sancti Spíritus quickly descended into chaos as people scrambled to purchase a carton of eggs (30 units) priced at $5.25. The scene devolved into over three hours of shoving, shouting, and lawlessness, as scalpers blatantly set their own rules. The situation was likened to a "Roman coliseum" in the heart of the shopping center, with disorder and despair reigning supreme, as reported by the official newspaper Escambray.
The events unfolded on Friday, June 27. Despite attempts by citizens to maintain order, groups of scalpers repeatedly purchased cartons by securing multiple spots in line, cutting in front of others, and employing various tactics to dominate access. The press described how they blocked the entrance, allowing only their allies in, and resorted to loud, obscene outbursts to ensure they got their way.
It wasn't just the usual hustlers grabbing the majority of the eggs; employees and business owners, whose profits apparently never suffice, also made multiple trips to buy. The management of La Época seemed indifferent to the chaos. The store manager stated that their responsibility was limited to safeguarding store assets and cash, not managing the queue, which was deemed the customers' responsibility outside their premises.
When advised to seek law enforcement assistance, the manager claimed previous attempts had been ignored by the police. Customers trying to assert their rights faced mockery and provocation from scalpers who acted with complete impunity. Astonishingly, the manager questioned whether to block a repeat offender, ultimately leaving it to the crowd to stop the abuse, resulting in the scalper being allowed through.
The chaotic scene drew to a close around 1:30 PM when the eggs sold out, leaving honest citizens feeling isolated, defenseless, and frightened. Meanwhile, store insiders discreetly accessed side entrances to secure their share, safely tucked away behind shelves. The report highlighted the economic crisis plaguing Cuba, where a severe production-financial deficit has turned shortages into fodder for an informal market with exorbitant prices.
The article pondered whether it was logical for a public institution like La Época to passively allow such arbitrariness in plain sight. It questioned if there were no operational or ethical guidelines within Tiendas Caribe to manage such disorder, or if authorities only considered it public disturbance when physical altercations or broken glass occurred.
The state-run poultry company, unable to sustain national egg production, has resorted to an unprecedented scheme of cooperation with private players in Sancti Spíritus, termed "cooperated eggs," to address shortages that have nearly crippled social programs like the basic food basket and hospitals. Behind the "cooperation" rhetoric lies a more precarious and unequal reality: the state can no longer support its supply network, once again implementing emergency solutions by delegating production to the private sector. In this arrangement, the private entrepreneur provides feed, the state-run company maintains control, and eggs are distributed as they become available.
In October 2024, Agriculture Minister Ydael Pérez Brito disclosed a staggering drop in egg production, from four to five million per day to just 1,200,000, contingent on animal feed availability. Cuban authorities blame the agricultural sector's collapse on a lack of inputs, fuel shortages, and weather conditions. Yet, these issues don't seem to impact neighboring Dominican Republic, which exports approximately 16.5 million eggs monthly.
Cuba also imports eggs from countries such as Colombia and the United States, with the latter being sold in state-owned foreign currency stores and by micro, small, and medium enterprises (SMEs). Online stores in Cuba even sell U.S. eggs, despite the regime's claims that the U.S. embargo prevents them from purchasing basic foodstuffs.
Due to the chronic shortage of an essential food staple in Cubans' diets, egg cartons have reached astronomical prices on the black market, far exceeding the minimum salary or pension. In 2024, Cubans reported the exorbitant cost of a "file" of hen eggs at 5,000 pesos on the black market, a price unaffordable for workers with low wages or retirees with meager pensions.
Understanding the Egg Market Crisis in Cuba
What caused the chaos at La Época store in Sancti Spíritus?
The chaos was triggered by a disorganized attempt to purchase eggs in dollars, leading to a breakdown of order as scalpers and business owners exploited the situation, bypassing the line and causing disorder.
How is the Cuban government addressing the egg shortage?
The government has initiated a scheme involving cooperation with private entities, called "cooperated eggs," aiming to alleviate shortages by partly outsourcing production to the private sector.
What are the implications of the egg shortage for Cuban citizens?
The egg shortage has driven prices in the informal market to unaffordable levels for many Cubans, significantly impacting their ability to access this essential food item.
Why is Cuba importing eggs from other countries?
Cuba imports eggs from countries like Colombia and the United States to compensate for the drastic decline in domestic production, which is insufficient to meet the population's needs.