Cuban consumers are experiencing a sugar shortage that reflects the difficult situation in the production of this product, especially in the province of Ciego de Ávila. According to data provided by the Azcuba business group in the region, until the middle of this month, the delay in the production plan amounted to more than 28 thousand tons.
One of the main factors behind this situation is the setback experienced by the Ecuador refinery, which began the harvest last January but faced deficiencies that require extending operations until April. These deficiencies affected efficiency indicators, such as industrial performance and the use of sugarcane’s potential, in addition to logistical problems with raw materials.
In February, difficulties with diesel supplies further hampered cane cutting and milling. In addition, organizational and management problems were pointed out, resulting in technological indiscipline and failure to maintain industrial machinery.
Despite efforts to address these difficulties, the Ciro Redondo plant, which declared itself ready to start the harvest as scheduled, has not yet managed to produce any of the more than 34 thousand tons planned.
The situation is aggravated by the dependence of the Ciro Redondo plant on the delivery of steam and energy from a nearby bioelectric plant, where unresolved technical problems persist.
However, there is a glimmer of hope on the horizon. The industry collective Primero de Enero, which joined this month as a replacement for Ciro Redondo, has the prospect of improving agroindustrial yields.
Despite these efforts, as of March 19, the province of Ciego de Ávila had only fulfilled 16% of the plan, with Ecuador and Primero de Enero accumulating amounts significantly lower than planned.
The unstable fuel supply is also hampering sugarcane planting, as only 43% of the allocated amount has been received in the last two months.
Given these limitations, actions are being implemented to defend available resources, such as combating the theft of sugar and agricultural machinery cables, as well as addressing fires in sugarcane fields.
The sugar shortage has generated concern among citizens, especially in relation to the basic basket. Workers at the Primero de Enero and Ecuador plants are working to produce enough sugar to cover this month’s regulated quota. The marketing of this product on the black market has reached $250 pesos per pound for unrefined (brown) sugar and $280 pesos for refined (white) sugar.
It is hoped that, with a coordinated effort and additional measures, the situation will improve in the coming days. However, sugar shortage remains a major challenge facing Cuba at this time.
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