The governor of Guantánamo, Alis Azahares Torreblanca, has acknowledged that state-run bakeries in the province are using power outages as an excuse for not producing bread. She has directed these bakeries to reorganize production schedules and locations to ensure the product reaches the population.
During a meeting discussing the operational, economic, and social challenges in the region, Azahares emphasized, "If the province has wheat flour available for bread production, there is no justification for halting production and affecting sales to the public by using power outages as an excuse," as reported by the official newspaper Venceremos.
The official instructed the bakeries to "organize bread production across various locations and at different times, considering the electrical disruptions," implicitly admitting that state units have unjustifiably stopped production despite having the necessary raw materials.
Power Outages and Energy Crisis
The eastern province is suffering from extended power outages, some lasting more than 20 hours daily, as part of the national energy crisis. Recently, it came to light that the region had not received state fuel shipments for days, forcing the government to consider purchasing diesel and gasoline from private entities to maintain essential services.
Ongoing Bread Crisis
The bread shortage in Guantánamo is not a new issue. In August, the newspaper Venceremos reported that city bakeries sold bread pieces weighing only 30 and 50 grams without salt, sugar, or fat for 75 cents, while the informal market offered "ball bread" for 40 pesos each. In July, residents complained about overly acidic bread with dark spots and missing basic ingredients.
Nationally, the flour situation is equally dire. Cuba requires approximately 20,000 tons of wheat flour monthly to meet the regulated bread demand. However, by June, only one of six contracted shipments for the year had arrived. The only operational mill in Cienfuegos was producing 250 tons daily, falling short of the 700 tons needed, while the Guantánamo plant remained out of service.
Measures and Price Increases
Since September 2024, the official weight of regulated bread has been reduced from 80 to 60 grams, with some provinces cutting it further to 40 grams. The flour shortage has forced the mixing of wheat with cassava, sweet potato, or corn pulp, affecting the bread's texture, taste, and shelf life. In Villa Clara, regulated bread has been restricted since February to children under 13 and seniors over 65.
Meanwhile, in Havana, since July, the Cuban Bread Company raised the price of a 400-gram loaf from 240 to 500 pesos, a 108% increase.
Additional Social Measures
During the same meeting, Joennys Samón, the coordinator of Government Programs and Objectives, announced that vulnerable individuals would receive one pound of sugar, one pound of peas, five pounds of rice, and one kilogram of beans, with the last two being provided for free.
Other issues discussed included insufficient bank deposits in certain branches, with more "complex" situations in Maisí, El Salvador, Manuel Tames, and Guantánamo; issues with foul-smelling water supply in the Caribe district; and thefts in state centers lacking security.
Understanding Guantánamo's Bread Shortage
Why are bakeries in Guantánamo not producing bread?
The state-run bakeries in Guantánamo have been using power outages as a reason for halting production, despite having the necessary wheat flour available.
What are the effects of the flour shortage in Cuba?
The flour shortage has led to reduced bread weights and the use of substitutes like cassava, sweet potato, or corn pulp, impacting bread quality. It has also resulted in rationing and increased prices.
What measures has the government taken to address the bread crisis?
The government has directed bakeries to adjust production schedules and is considering purchasing fuel from private sources to maintain services. Additionally, they are providing essential food items to vulnerable groups.