In Cuba, the 2024–2025 potato harvest in Villa Clara encountered significant challenges, despite otherwise favorable growing conditions. Only 2,240 tons were harvested from over 200 hectares, resulting in an average yield of just 11 tons per hectare. This falls short of the expected 17 tons per hectare, the national average of 22.5, and potential peaks of up to 30 tons when cultivation conditions are optimal. Journalist Jesús Álvarez López from CMHW discussed the figures on social media, expressing concern and criticism over the outcome.
Álvarez attributed the poor results to late seed deliveries and insufficient technical preparations. Additional issues included unprepared land, inadequate irrigation, and fuel shortages. These combined factors led to what he termed a "productive collapse," restricting consumer access to potatoes.
He also criticized the state's pricing policy, noting that the fixed rate of 11 Cuban pesos per pound—about $0.46 per pound at current exchange rates—was far too low to cover production costs. Meanwhile, state-run entities reportedly engaged in price inflation through resale, offering little support to farmers. As a result, many producers turned to informal sales channels in order to recover their costs.
Comments on Álvarez's post reflected broader discontent, pointing to issues such as black-market seed sales, mismanagement of technological resources, and inefficiencies in state-organized volunteer farming efforts.
Some users reported that potatoes were being sold on the informal market for between 150 and 200 pesos per pound—equivalent to $6.30 to $8.40 per pound—highlighting the stark disparity between official and black-market pricing. This gap is emblematic of deeper failures in Cuba's state-run distribution system, which has struggled to meet demand efficiently.
In provinces like Guantánamo, yields were negligible, mirroring widespread challenges across Cuba. Regions such as Ciego de Ávila and Sancti Spíritus also reported setbacks tied to late planting and resource shortages.
In Santiago de Cuba, tensions rose as consumers faced purchase limits of just three pounds per person, underscoring the severity of the ongoing food crisis. Rationing and inconsistent distribution continue to shape the agricultural landscape.
Meanwhile, despite local difficulties, the Cuban government continues to sell domestically grown potatoes under the Frutisel brand abroad. At certain foreign-currency supermarkets in Havana, such as the outlet at 3ra y 70, a bag of Frutisel potatoes retails for $8.85, further emphasizing the disparity between domestic shortages and export priorities.
Source: CIBERCUBA