The authorities of MINCIN have reported that all the corresponding allocations of the basic basket will be delivered shortly. However, as long as the supply problem is not resolved, prices will remain skyrocketing, with the caps unable to contain them.
El arroz, no es uno más, es el alimento esencial en la dieta cubana. No es un acompañante, sino la base de las comidas en la isla. Y ese alimento tan demandado en los últimos meses se encarece a un ritmo imparable que ni siquiera los topes de precio decretados por el gobierno lo logran contener.
Despite the government's own attempts to control its price, scarcity and speculation in the black market have caused that, in some places, not even money guarantees its purchase.
Although product costs had been gradually increasing, it has been the shortage and failure to deliver basic basket goods that have accelerated this inflationary surge with record prices for all time.
El precio del arroz se sale de control
En febrero, el precio del arroz aumentó un 6,37 %, muy por encima de la inflación general del mes, que fue del 2,75 %. En algunos mercados, la libra superó los 300 pesos y sigue subiendo. Ante esto, el gobierno impuso un tope de 155 pesos para el arroz nacional desde el 8 de marzo. Pero lejos de solucionar el asunto pareciera que su efecto ha sido el contrario.
And the measure has been easily circumvented. Merchants have found a way to sell local rice at high prices: "they put it in bags of imported rice and, when an inspector arrives, they show the supposed foreign origin to avoid fines." In Cienfuegos, for example, the pound is sold for 350 pesos without restrictions.
Shortage and black market
But as we have said, beyond the price, the real problem is availability. The wineries have had trouble supplying the population and, when rice appears on the informal market, prices are unattainable for most.
People may have the money, but not the product. Either you buy whatever you find, at any price, or you go hungry," says a resident of Havana.
Other increases that affect the wallet
Inflation in Cuba continues to punish citizens. In the last year, food prices have risen by 23.34%, with products like white cheese increasing by 7.47% in February. Tobacco and alcohol have skyrocketed in price with alarming figures: a strong cigarette today costs 58.72% more than a year ago.
Access to basic products is becoming increasingly difficult. "It's not just that the money isn't enough, sometimes even paying you can't get what you need," laments a shopper.
Promised rice
Since January, the government has promised to complete the deliveries of the rice pending from the basic basket. But beyond the repeated promises, it still hasn't appeared in many provinces. "Lucky are those who got the January one. In my warehouse and all around it, the December one is still missing," comments a user on Facebook.
Another one jokes about the endless wait: “Now they give the four pounds for January and when another ship arrives, the one for February. And the one for March, maybe by December if we're lucky?”
The quota rice has historically never been reached, but if even this is not met, it is possible to imagine the desperation of the families. The outrage grows at the same pace as prices on the black market.
While the government assures that the cap is 155 pesos per pound, on the street it exceeds 270. "They say rice should cost 155, but in Ciego de Ávila it is at 270. So look at how we are doing," laments a user. Others, more direct, describe the situation as "a mockery of the people.
Some criticize the lack of answers: "They tell so many lies. Since they started unloading the rice, it still hasn't arrived at the stores. How long is this going to last?
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Hello, good morning, the first thing to resolve is that the rice sold should be domestic, but rice that enters through our ports for the basic basket is already being sold at 240, and logically for social consumption, as well as sugar and sardines, which we know enter as donations, sales with which many are becoming millionaires.