A poignant video capturing the desolate remains of the former Urbano Noris Sugar Mill in San Germán, Holguín, has stirred a wave of nostalgia among Cubans both at home and abroad. The footage reveals the neglect of what was once one of the nation’s most iconic sugar mills.
The video features a woman navigating the remnants of the site, contrasting its past grandeur with the present-day silence that envelops the area.
"This was one of Cuba’s largest colossi in its heyday, and now it lies in ruins. It was a giant, a giant now completely fallen," she laments.
"It’s not even a shadow of what it used to be. Silence reigns here, in all its former glory. The only sound left is the birdsong," she continues.
The Echoes of History
The video sparked hundreds of reactions from former workers, locals, and students who had trained there. Many recalled how the mill was once the economic backbone of San Germán and a key industry in the eastern region.
One of the most talked-about testimonials came from an employee who spent 28 years at the mill. He reminisced about one of its greatest achievements, saying, "On March 6, 1986, we set the absolute national record for grinding with 1,721,358 arrobas in 24 hours and produced 2,231 metric tons of sugar that same day. Please help us remember this history. Few, if any, still recall. I spent twenty-eight years fighting to prevent its decline, but it was impossible."
Nostalgia and Loss
Another former worker, who spent three decades at the mill, encapsulated the sentiments of many residents: "It pains me to see it in such total ruin. Greetings to my beloved town of San Germán."
Originally known as San Germán, the mill was founded in the early 20th century and evolved into one of Cuba’s largest sugar complexes. It boasted a grinding capacity of 680,000 arrobas daily, over 1,184 caballerías of land, a workforce exceeding 5,000 during harvest, and even an airport to support its operations.
After the Revolution, it was nationalized and renamed Urbano Noris. The mill's significance was such that the municipality established in 1976 adopted the same name, reflecting the deep connection between the community’s life and the sugar industry.
Decline of an Industry
The decline of the Urbano Noris mill is emblematic of the collapse of Cuba’s sugar industry over the last few decades. In 2002, Fidel Castro's "Álvaro Reynoso Task" led to the closure of 71 out of 156 mills and the subsequent dismantling of nearly a hundred others.
Since then, sugar production has plummeted to historic lows. The 2024-2025 harvest ended with less than 150,000 tons, a figure lower than that of 1899, when Cuba was just emerging from the War of Independence. In Holguín, where Urbano Noris is located, production didn’t even reach 10% of the planned target.
The 2025-2026 campaign proved even more dire. Only the Tuinucú mill in Sancti Spíritus managed to start operations, producing around 5,600 tons before halting in March 2026 due to fuel shortages. The crisis also impacted alcohol production and other industries linked to sugar cane.
For many Cubans, images of Urbano Noris symbolize the fate of an industry that for decades defined the national economy and the lives of countless communities.
"Many sugar mills in Cuba ended up like this, reduced to ruins, and towns that were once full of life and hope are now ghostly," a user commented.
Another noted that Cuba once had 156 sugar mills, lamenting that today only between four and seven remain operational across the country.
The Collapse of Cuba's Sugar Industry: Questions and Answers
What led to the decline of the Urbano Noris Sugar Mill?
The decline of the Urbano Noris Sugar Mill is part of a broader collapse of the Cuban sugar industry, exacerbated by policies like the "Álvaro Reynoso Task" which led to the closure of many mills. Economic challenges and mismanagement further contributed to its downfall.
How significant was the Urbano Noris Sugar Mill in its prime?
At its peak, the Urbano Noris Sugar Mill was one of Cuba's largest sugar production complexes, with a significant daily grinding capacity, vast land holdings, and a large workforce. It played a crucial role in the economy of San Germán and the wider region.