The opening of a new dairy farm in the Chambas area of Ciego de Ávila has sparked a wave of skepticism and irony among Cubans on social media. Many quickly linked the announcement to the long-unfulfilled promise of a "glass of milk" made by Raúl Castro nearly two decades ago.
State-run broadcaster Avileña Television reported this Friday that the UEB Ganadera's Dairy Farm 1 was inaugurated in Chambas. The facility is intended to produce milk, yogurt, and cheese, alongside a processing center for croquettes, sausages, and ground meat.
The government promoted this project as part of the evaluation of 176 so-called Economic and Social Transformations implemented in agricultural entities across Ciego de Ávila. However, no figures were released regarding installed capacity, the number of livestock, or production volume.
Cubans were quick to react. "Is this AI?" one user quipped. Another questioned the affordability: "Will the prices be adjusted for the workers?" A third wondered, "What will the croquettes be made of when people's hemoglobin drops?"
Concerns about sanitation were also raised: "When will hygiene be addressed, with bacteria spreading by hand?"
Complaints extended to the ongoing electrical issues and the state of sugar mills. "When will the electricity be fixed and the sugar mills reopened?" another person asked.
Perhaps the most pointed remark was: "Will the promised glass of milk finally be given?"
The Unfulfilled Promise of Raúl Castro's Glass of Milk
On July 26, 2007, Raúl Castro declared in Camagüey, "We must produce milk so that everyone who wants a glass can have one."
Censors edited this part out of the televised speech, and it was removed from the Granma transcription. Nearly twenty years later, the promise remains unfulfilled and has become a cultural symbol of government failure.
Between 2018 and 2023, national milk production plummeted by 58%, with no recovery in sight. The cattle population decreased by more than 900,000 from 2019 to 2025.
In June 2026, Minister Alberto López Díaz admitted that over 100,000 children were not receiving their daily milk ration and that the state's child supply plan was unachievable.
In Ciego de Ávila, the provincial dairy industry received only 15% of the planned milk supply—between 4,800 and 5,000 liters daily compared to the 33,700 expected—and owed 13 million pesos to producers and cooperatives.
FAQs About Cuba's Dairy Industry Promise
What was Raúl Castro's promise regarding milk production?
Raúl Castro promised in 2007 that Cuba would produce enough milk for everyone who wanted a glass. This promise remains unfulfilled nearly two decades later.
How has milk production in Cuba changed since 2018?
Cuba's milk production has declined by 58% from 2018 to 2023, and the industry has struggled to recover.
What are the current challenges facing Cuba's dairy industry?
Cuba's dairy industry faces challenges such as a significant decline in milk production, a reduced cattle population, and financial debts owed to producers and cooperatives.