The regulated bread distributed in Santiago de Cuba has once again caused discomfort among residents, who report that the product has an unappetizing appearance and increasingly poor quality.
The shortage of flour and power outages have been cited as causes of the problem, which persists despite official promises.
Complaints about the condition of the bread
The independent communicator Yosmany Mayeta Labrada shared on his social media images sent by a city resident, where the bread appears irregular. The woman lamented the situation and expressed her discontent: "That is shameful and no one will eat it.
As a joke, the complainant remarked that it looked like it was made with "marabou flour," referring to the invasive plant that has become a symbol of agricultural deterioration in the country.
The images show deformed pieces of bread, with a brittle texture and burnt parts. In one of them, an extremely thin bread with incomplete baking is observed, which reinforces the criticisms about the quality of the product.
Widespread problem in the city
Following the publication, many residents of Santiago confirmed that the poor quality of the bread is a widespread problem. "It's not a lie, they are ruining it. It doesn't even make you want to have breakfast," commented one user.
Another complainant added that the bread is not only inedible, but it also does not meet the established weight. Additionally, they pointed out that power outages affect production in several bakeries. "When there is electricity, they do it, because at Antonio Maceo they stop doing it all the time due to lack of electricity," wrote a woman from Santiago.
Lack of supplies and official adjustments
Standardized bread is a staple food in the diet of Cubans, but in recent years its quality has worsened due to the lack of supplies and production difficulties. Since 2023, the shortage of wheat flour has been a recurring problem, even causing the suspension of the sale of basic basket bread on some occasions.
In February 2024, the Ministry of Food Industry reported that the delivery of subsidized bread would be affected until March due to delays in the arrival of wheat. Authorities attributed the problem to financial difficulties and logistical limitations in importing the raw material.
To maintain the daily distribution, the government reduced the weight of the bread from 80 to 60 grams. However, in addition to the smaller quantity, the quality of the product has been the subject of constant complaints in various provinces. In Santiago de Cuba, citizens have repeatedly reported that the bread arrives burnt, dry, or with a dough of poor texture.
Changes in management and lack of solutions
Power supply failures and fuel shortages have worsened the crisis, affecting production in different territories and forcing authorities to distribute bread on alternate days in some areas.
In December 2024, the government announced the elimination of the Cuban Bread Chain as a national entity, arguing that it was necessary to decentralize production and improve local management. However, the measure has generated uncertainty about its effectiveness in solving the problems.
A pesar de los anuncios oficiales, la calidad del pan normado sigue siendo motivo de quejas en Santiago de Cuba y otras provincias, reflejando las dificultades del país para garantizar el abastecimiento de un producto esencial.