An official from Cuba's Ministry of Domestic Trade (Mincin) has acknowledged on state television that while the country reportedly achieves "significant figures" in national rice production, the general public fails to see these results due to the nation's complex situation and supply chain breakdowns.
These comments were made by Rosa María Rizo Constantén, vice president of Mincin's wholesale food group, during the latest episode of the state-run television show Cuadrando la Caja on September 6. Alongside ministry advisor Arturo Vázquez Hernández, they discussed the 176 economic transformations approved by the National Assembly in June.
"We have reached a significant figure for national rice production. Today we have achieved numbers that perhaps the population does not perceive because of the complex situation," Rizo stated, without providing specific data to clarify what constitutes this significant production.
The official also acknowledged that Cuba requires 40,000 tons of rice monthly to supply its nine million inhabitants, as well as schools and hospitals.
Since 2019, the country has had to handle the importation of this volume nearly independently, bearing costs of between $800 and $900 per ton, she explained.
Vázquez admitted that "the impact of the fuel cut has practically affected all supply chains in the country," highlighting distribution failures as a major barrier preventing locally produced rice from reaching consumers.
The advisor also pointed out internal issues within the sector, citing "irregularities linked to indiscipline, shoddy work, and poor practices," affecting both state and private sectors.
Exploring Alternatives Amidst Shortages
During the program, officials introduced alternatives such as supply markets, state-budget-funded public purchases, the Mercado de Barrio project, and opening domestic trade to foreign investment.
They also mentioned a project in collaboration with Vietnam in Granma, Sancti Spíritus, and Pinar del Río. In August, a Vietnamese company delivered the first batch of rice produced with Asian technology on Cuban soil, achieving yields over seven tons per hectare, more than triple the national average.
Despite official claims of a national production capable of reaching "significant figures," available production and demand data tell a different story.
In 2024, national production barely reached 80,000 tons compared to an estimated annual demand of 600,000 to 700,000 tons.
The gap is further highlighted when comparing the current situation to the period before 1959, when Cuba annually produced an average of 163,000 metric tons of milled rice. By 2025, production was estimated to drop to less than 30,000 tons.
The scarcity of rice is also directly reflected in prices. This year, the price of rice exceeded 400 Cuban pesos per pound on the informal market, while the average state salary hovers around 7,000 pesos monthly.
The Mincin's recent explanation recalls a previous controversy on the same show in December 2025, when a guest suggested that Cubans stop eating rice and potatoes because "we are not Asian."
These statements sparked outrage and were refuted with data by economist Pedro Monreal, who debunked the official argument of supposed excessive rice consumption.
The controversy even led to a reaction from the program's host, who labeled critics as "worms." Now, the discourse shifts the issue away from effective food availability, this time suggesting that rice is produced but fails to reach the people.
Understanding Cuba's Rice Supply Challenges
Why can't Cubans perceive the rice production?
Although Cuba reportedly achieves significant rice production figures, the population does not perceive this due to complex national issues and supply chain disruptions that prevent effective distribution.
What are the main obstacles to rice distribution in Cuba?
Fuel shortages have severely impacted supply chains, making distribution a significant challenge. Additionally, internal irregularities and poor practices within both state and private sectors exacerbate the issue.
How does current rice production compare to historical figures?
Current production is significantly lower than historical figures. Before 1959, Cuba produced an average of 163,000 metric tons of milled rice annually, whereas production is estimated to be less than 30,000 tons by 2025.